Three years after the release of Hot Commodity, Brooklyn rapper Maiya The Don is entering a new era. Since bursting onto the scene with her viral 2023 hit “Telfy,” the SUNY New Paltz graduate has continued to carve out a lane entirely her own—one that blends sharp lyricism, internet savvy, and an authenticity that resonates far beyond music.
As anticipation builds for her upcoming project Precious Cargo, arriving today, Maiya is reflecting on the growth she’s experienced as both an artist and a person. Beyond the booth, she’s also cultivated an unexpected presence in the literary world, becoming a recognizable voice among BookTok and online reading communities. In conversation with EBONY, Maiya opens up about the inspiration behind Precious Cargo, the lessons she’s learned since Hot Commodity, her love of books, and the evolution of the woman behind the music.
EBONY: What built your relationship with reading?
Maiya The Don: I loved to read as a kid. I had a very tumultuous relationship with my family and a strenuous home life. I think I always kind of found a safe space within school and learning and I think that’s why I prevailed. I spent a lot of time at my local library. It was one of those things that I just did, not to escape, but it was entertainment.
As an adult you have less time, you think there are things that’s more important than reading and I went through that period. After I dropped my last project, Hot Commodity, I was really, really sad. All I would do was watch TV, lay in bed, and eat snacks. I wasn’t a productive member of society and I made the decision to no longer do that. Holding yourself accountable isn’t an easy thing to do, but I needed to make some changes. One of the things that I wanted to do was [remove] TV altogether. I decided that a way I would entertain myself was going back to reading.
Reading makes you a critical thinker. I decided I was only going to consume things of substance. What you consume is who you are. So no more Baddies, way more Kennedy Ryan.
Why did you decide to start showing your love for reading online?
With the changes that I made, one of the things was like, ‘ok, I’m going to be more honest with myself’ because it takes a lot of honesty and vulnerability to realize certain habits weren’t beneficial to my mind, my career, my growth, everything. Deciding to be honest with myself meant being honest with my audience and in my music.
I wanted to document the changes that were happening in real time. Reading was one of those things where I was enjoying it and it gave me a new perspective. I wanted to make sure that [the] things I was putting out into the world was reflective of who I am.
It made sense for me to share because not only does it show you the journey I’m on, it’s giving Black authors, small and large, another platform to promote themselves. I’m a big believer of putting Black people in positions we want to see them in.
What are you currently reading?
Right now I’m actually reading Revive Me: Part Three: The Apology. It’s a part of a series by J.L. Seegars’ New Haven series and it’s incredible, Jane’s incredible.
If you had to put your personality into four books what would they be?
Oh, that’s easy; Cappadonna by Jaquel J, 10,000 Hours with a Rich Menace by Jaquel J, The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson, and Tenderheaded: A Memoir by Michaela Angela Davis.
How has your passion for reading helped you with your music?
When you’re nurturing your mind with things that inspire you or get your creative juices flowing, there’s a real difference. When I’m in a period where I’m sad, I don’t have much to say. All my music sounds flat, very boring. But reading gave me so many different perspectives and ideations. Reading has given me a lot of strength and stability in trusting my instincts. Being more creative in the way that I say things. Before, I approached music with simplicity, but now I’m not afraid of being more technical.
What book has helped you most as an artist?
Eve’s memoir, Who’s That Girl. It’s incredible, I’ve read it maybe three times already. It gave me the perspective that certain experiences are universal. I connected with it and saw a lot of myself in the book.
Can you describe the journey of getting to this new album?
After Hot Commodity, I jumped right back into a new project. But, I wasn’t comfortable in the space I was in creatively. I felt like a hamster on a wheel doing that same thing over and over again, because I was trying to appeal commercially. I [decided] I wanted to do my own thing. I want to make music that makes me feel good. But I was nervous because when you sign to a label, you have to follow the numbers. The creative process is tainted. I was on the fence a lot between being commercially appealing and doing what I want. I probably made three projects worth of music in the three year gap between Hot Commodity and Precious Cargo.
What’s the difference between Hot Commodity and Precious Cargo?
Musically, I really wanted to put something out that I was proud of. Something that came from me without any outside influences. The biggest difference between the two projects is the honesty and the vulnerability, I’m getting very, very open. More open than I’ve ever been. That’s new for me and it’s strange, it makes me deeply uncomfortable. But it’s been completely necessary.
How much closer are you to being the artist you want to be?
I think I get closer every day. I don’t know what that full picture looks like, every time I hit a milestone there’s seven more I want to achieve. I think the idea is to never stop growing.
What’s next for Maiya The Don and Maiya the person?
Maiya The Don is putting out music and putting her foot on the gas. Now that I have my mental health right and I know exactly what I want to say, be prepared to be sick of me. I’m ready for this new era, this rebirth and the introduction to the grown woman I am now. Maiya the person is focusing on showing up for herself in the way that she should’ve before. I’m being selfish and I’m excited about it.