Miraa May - Girlfriend (Single)
London-based, Algerian-born singer-songwriter Miraa May unveils her latest single, ‘Girlfriend’, an intimate track that revisits a past love while powerfully affirming her independence. Collaboratively produced by Malik N1nty Five, Benny Henny, Wesley Curtis & CTAG, and paired with a stunning video directed by Ray Fiasco, the song radiates with Miraa's confidence as she reclaims her narrative, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter in her career defined by growth and liberation. After a well-deserved break, she returns with a renewed perspective, ready to explore fresh sounds and continue sharing her story. During her time away, Miraa embraced motherhood and dedicated herself to writing for other artists. Announcing her return to music last month with ‘No Bad Energy’, Miraa followed this with ‘Miskeena’, highlighting her deep connection to her North African heritage, featuring symbolic imagery and lyrics sung in her native language. Miraas' new single sees her return to her R&B roots, and ‘Girlfriend’ is an anthem of resilience and perseverance.
Born in Algeria and moving to the UK at just two years old, Miraa's sound is shaped by the cultural richness of her upbringing. Her mother filled their home with the sounds of Raï, Algeria's vibrant pop music, which inspired her voice with a distinct, textured quality. Growing up in Tottenham, North London, Miraa discovered her passion for music in a multicultural city, using songwriting as a form of expression and freedom. Her music blends her London grit, soulful influences, and Algerian heritage, making her a unique voice in the industry. Miraa left home at 17, navigating a challenging environment but finding solace in music. After school, she spent two years performing gigs around Shoreditch while juggling cleaning jobs, waitressing, and selling makeup door-to-door. Through it all, music was her constant companion. In 2014, Miraa released her debut EP, ‘The Beginning’, which caught the attention of award-winning producer Salaam Remi. He later produced ‘N15’, featuring the fan-favourite ‘Benji,’ which caught the attention of music fans and tastemakers and introduced Miraa to the UK audience. Then came the acclaimed ‘Care Package’ EP, a candid exploration of themes like consent, depression, heartbreak and freedom. In 2018, she followed the previous year's success with her 6-track EP ‘Dark’, featuring the hit single ‘Angles’ with grime legend JME, tackling the pitfalls of social media while further expanding her genre-bending sound. With influences across Afrobeat, Rap, R&B, and Soul, Miraa’s versatility has shone through in her solo career and through collaborations with artists like Ghetts, Sainte, and Nines, she has cemented herself as a vital voice within the UK music scene.
In a significant milestone, Miraa released her debut album ‘Tales Of a Miracle’ in 2022, earning three MOBO nominations, including Best Album, Best Female Act, and Best R&B/Soul Act. Her raw lyricism and vulnerability resonated widely, with praise from The Guardian, The Evening Standard, Complex and Clash Magazine. Female empowerment is at the heart of her music, and her debut was made in its entirety with a female team, which led to iconic collaborations with fellow artists like RAYE, Mahalia, Dyo, Stefflon Don, and Jorja Smith. The album's success was followed by a deluxe edition and a headline show that sold out in under an hour. Beyond her solo work, Miraa's songwriting talents have led to co-writing credits on hits like Jorja Smith and Burna Boy’s ‘Be Honest,’Mahalia's ‘Jealous,’ and Little Simz's ‘I Love You, I Hate You’ short film. Miraa May remains fearless, introspective, and unapologetically herself—a testament to her limitless talents and where they will take her next. She is a unique soul and vessel to share stories we can all connect with, ‘Girlfriend’ is the singer's third single of the year, an alluring song that creates anticipation for more music.