T.K.O. (The Knock Out)

T.K.O. (The Knock Out) was recorded between 2015 and 2016 after the release of Smoove Jones (2016). Like with all her independent projects, Harrison served as executive producer for T.K.O. (The Knock Out) as well, which entailed her scouting for producers, songwriters, arranging the album's track listing, and keeping track of the accounting.[2] With T.K.O. though, Harrison decided to form a partnership with musician and producer Lamar "MyGuyMars" Edwards. Edwards had contributed production on her last studio effort, Smoove Jones, which catered more towards traditional R&B. The creation process for T.K.O. started when Harrison continued to work with Edwards and formed a musical partnership. Speaking with Billboard, Harrison acknowledged the process to the project was "easy."[1] However, before dabbling into the contemporary R&B space for her next independent project, Harrison made the conscious decision to release Smoove Jones first to satisfy longtime fans that connected with that particular sound, which is more eclectic, classic and old school. Musically with T.K.O., since contemporary R&B is more current sonically, Harrison and Edwards just essentially incorporated and fused it with 90's R&B, SWV, Aaliyah, R.Kelly, Mint Condition along with Prince, Teddy Pendergrass and The Isley Brothers influences from the 70s. Using material she recorded back in 2011, 2015, and 2016 from her archive, Harrison commented it was all about "building" and "tweaking" songs.[1] Commenting on the results, Harrison said, "It was all about creating a nice experience for R&B fans, R&B lovers, and have it apply to today's sound of music, sonically, and that's what we did."[3] As executive producer, Harrison was held responsible for drafting all of her contracts, handling publishing split sheets, and generating her own revenue for/funding each component of a project and to avoid early leakage of the project or any of her music, Harrison drafts and services a pre- and post-recording agreement to hold the producers, writers, artists, and engineers liable for leakage, sharing, placement, and playing of her music.[3][4]

Initially, T.K.O. (The Knock Out) was scheduled for a Valentine Day release to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of her debut single, "It's All About Me," however the project was unable to make its deadline and pushed back.[1] In an interview with Hot 97, Mya confirmed T.K.O. was scheduled for an April 20, 2018 release to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of her debut album Mya (1998).[6][12] Digitally, the release was distributed through indie distribution company, The Orchard. Her first release under Sony Music company.[13] Through her official website store, physical copies was made available for purchase exclusively in standard, autographed or personalized editions.[14] In honor of her twentieth anniversary and to celebrate T.K.O.'s album release Mya performed at the House of Blues in New York City on April 27, 2018.[15] She held a private album listening session at UnplugdLA's The Study in Los Angeles, California.[16]

For the album's packaging, Mya traveled to Nassau, Bahamas and completed a photoshoot for her single and album covers.[26] On the album cover, Mya is dressed in black lingerie with a black robe draping her body, while directing a smoldering stare into the camera.[27]

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer
• ^{^[b]} signifies an additional producer
• ^{^[c]} signifies a vocal producer

Sample credits

• "The Fall" contains a musical interpolation of "Saudade Vem Correndo" and a lyrical interpolation of "Fallen".
• "Open" contains an interpolation of "My Life" by Mary J. Blige.
• "Damage" contains an excerpt of "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)" by Mint Condition.
• "Ready (Part III – 90's Bedroom Mix)" contains an interpolation of "It Seems Like You're Ready" by R. Kelly.
• "T.K.O. Interlude" contains an interpolation of "Love T.K.O." by Teddy Pendergrass.

• T.K.O. (The Knock Out) at Discogs (list of releases)