Maya Jupiter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maya Jupiter
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Maya Jupiter, Orlando, Florida, November 2010
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Melissha Martinez |
| Born | 21 December 1978 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Mother Tongues |
Melissha Martinez, known as Maya Jupiter, is a talented artist from Mexico and Australia. She is a rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, and radio host. Born on December 21, 1978, she released her first album, Today, in 2003. Maya Jupiter was also part of the hip-hop group Foreign Heights. This group, which included MC Trey and DJ Nick Toth, released their own album in 2007. They were even nominated for an award at the ARIA Music Awards of 2007 for their song "Get Yours (Remix)". From 2004 to 2008, Maya Jupiter hosted the popular Hip-Hop Show on the national radio station Triple J. After that, she moved to Los Angeles to focus on her solo music, releasing her second album, Maya Jupiter, in December 2010.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Roots
Maya Jupiter, whose birth name is Melissha Martinez, was born in La Paz, Mexico, on December 21, 1978. Her father is Mexican, and her mother is Turkish. She also has an older sister named Shiraz.
When Maya was one year old, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia. They later moved to Sydney when she was four. She spent her childhood in Busby and then Ashfield, suburbs of Sydney.
A World of Music at Home
Music was always a big part of Maya's home life. Her parents played many different styles of music. Her mother enjoyed classical, traditional Turkish, jazz, and soul music. Her father listened to Spanish-language music. This mix of sounds helped shape Maya's musical taste from a young age.
School Days and First Rhymes
Maya was a dedicated student. She was a school captain in primary school and later a prefect and sports captain in secondary school. At 14, she wrote her very first rhyme. Her sister often took her to local salsa and Latin American clubs, which further exposed her to diverse music.
Even though she grew up in Australia, Maya mostly spoke English. She didn't speak much Spanish until she was 17. She later shared that she speaks more Spanish than Turkish, but her mother reminds her to connect with her Turkish heritage through music. At 18, she chose her stage name, Maya Jupiter, inspired by her mother's advice to honor her Mayan background. She began performing in an R&B club in Sydney.
Music Career Highlights
In 1998, Maya Jupiter discovered the Australian hip-hop scene at the Urban Xpressions Festival. She found inspiration in artists like MC Trey, seeing her as a strong female role model in music.
First Album and Collaborations
Maya started recording her own songs around 2001. In August 2003, she released her first album, Today. It was released on Mother Tongues, a record label focused on supporting women in hip-hop music. One song, "Mamacita," was a very personal tribute to her mother. It explored her feelings about her parents' divorce and her desire to learn more about her Mexican culture after not seeing her father for many years.
That same year, Maya also worked with Son Veneno, a large band that blended Latin, jazz, and hip-hop music. They performed at various festivals, including Homebake and Bacardi Festival, and even opened for American singer Kelis.
Radio Host and Group Success
By August 2003, Maya Jupiter was also a regular host for TV shows like Soul Kitchen and Freestyle on Channel V. She also led hip-hop and rap workshops in community centers, sharing her knowledge with others.
In 2004, she became the host of Triple J's weekly Hip Hop Show, a popular music program on national radio. In 2006, Maya teamed up with fellow rapper MC Trey and DJ Nick Toth to form the group Foreign Heights. They released their first single, "It Goes On," in November 2006. Their self-titled album came out in Australia in January 2007, and they performed at the Big Day Out festival. Foreign Heights was nominated for 'Best Urban Release' at the ARIA Music Awards of 2007 for their song "Get Yours (Remix)".
On April 14, 2008, Maya Jupiter left her role as host of the Hip Hop Show. She then moved to Los Angeles to focus on her solo music career.
Second Album and Unique Sound
In December 2010, Maya Jupiter released her second album, also titled Maya Jupiter. Her husband, Aloe Blacc, helped with the recording, and Quetzal Flores and Martha Gonzalez from the band Quetzal co-produced it.
Reviewers praised the album for its fresh sound and focus on social justice themes. The music featured unique live instruments like a Latin American harp, requintos, jaranas, electric guitars, trumpets, and keys. Instead of computer-generated drum beats, the album used live percussion instruments such as the quijada, cajón, tarima, and pandeiro. This gave her music a very special and authentic feel.
Personal Life
Maya Jupiter is married to the Panamanian-American singer Aloe Blacc. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Mandela, in September 2013. In January 2016, they had their second child, a son.
Discography
Albums
- Solo
- Today – Mother Tongues (August 2003)
- Maya Jupiter (December 2010)
- Never Said Yes (August 2018)
- with Foreign Heights
- Foreign Heights – Grindin'/Central Station Records (January 2007)
Singles
- Solo
- "The Artless"/"Ordinary Night" – Mother Tongues (2001)
- "Funny Luck"/"Move" – Mother Tongues (2003)
- "It Goes On" (2006)
