Getting to know Maya Soufi

What’s your name and where are you from?

My name is Maya Soufi, I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and I’ve been in Los Angeles for about 7 years now. I’m 23 years old.

What makes you different as a person and as a company?

I feel that as an artist and songwriter there are a lot of factors that make me different. First, I’m 100% Lebanese but my current main genre of music is soul and R&B music. I also can sing in French and Arabic and have before. Something else that I feel makes me different is that I am currently a senior at Calarts University who is about to receive my degree in music and for that I am extremely appreciative. Nowadays you don’t meet many artists who have studied music and understand the theory behind it. I’m not saying that one needs to go to university to be capable, but I will say that it definitely gave me knowledge, insight, training, and confidence having professionals from the industry mentor me. The experience I’ve had for years with live performance, studio recording, songwriting, arrangement, piano, co-production, engineering, etc, has turned me into an artist that is far more capable then just singing. Being a perfectionist comes with dedication. I’ve been working on my music and voice for years because when I decide I’m ready, I’m gonna make sure I’m prepared. I’ve work as a demo artist and songwriter for the past couple years, I’ve written and recorded hundreds of songs, and I feel like I’m at a point where I’m ready to start presenting that more.

What do you want to accomplish in life?

Honestly, nothing would make me happier in life then to know I put a smile on people’s faces because they were listening to my music. I want to tour the world performing my songs. The music I’m making for my album right now is a mix of everything — literally every popular genre — but the main feel of my voice lies in soul. I say that because…..I got a lot of soul. I like to belt powerfully, do crazy riffs and runs with my voice, bring the energy on stage, bring the attitude with my style. I live and breathe to perform. So I guess what I want to accomplish is becoming a renown artist, songwriter, and composer. I also wish to have my own brand with fashion, fragrance, beauty, and health. I also wish to own my own record label one day and help other artists pursue their dreams with someone they can trust. I also wish to represent the Middle East as an artist with an open mind and positive influence in the United States. I don’t see a lot of Arab faces in commercial American music, I would love to change that.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully, I see myself on tour performing my third album. I’m about to release my first album in a few months — very exciting — and I think after that releasing 2 albums would be good. I also hope that by then I’ll have a larger influence in the music industry as well as have at least one company up and running.

What do you bring to world?

I think this question can be answered a lot of ways, but I’m going to answer it in the way that I know how to. I think that I bring knowledge to the world for my clients that I write for, creative direct, and help with their artistry through my abilities and experience as a musician myself. I bring creativity through my unique and experimental approach to music. I bring kindness, positivity, love, and understanding through my lyricism about struggle, heartache, passion, and loyalty. I bring and open heart and an open mind with no judgement. I bring drive and fearlessness, and know that the definition of humbleness is pursuing something, working extremely hard for it, and still doing it despite the result. As a musician, I do everything for the love of music.

What legacy do you want to leave behind?

I hope people remember me as a great performer, a good-hearted person, and someone who’s hard work resulted in success. I hope to be known for my intelligence in my field, my influence on others — whether in their work or in their hearts, and my gift that I spent my life mastering. And I hope my music is listened to for a long time after I die. If I died knowing I made a difference in someone’s life with my music existing, I’d die the happiest woman.