Name: Maia Reid

Where She’s From: West London

When She Started: 2022

Genre: Reggae/R&B

File Next To: Lila Iké, Sevana, Naomi Cowan

Sounds Like: “I’d like to say my music is appreciative of the artists that came before me, especially artists that represent Lovers’ Rock and reggae. That’s always been my intention. These genres are very uplifting and encouraging.”

First Music That Inspired Her: “It’s hard for me to pinpoint because there are so many artists who have influenced me in so many ways, but I’m always drawn to ‘Love Love Love’ by Donny Hathaway. Every time I hear that song, it feels like I’m in a dream—it’s just so healing.”

It’s no surprise that Maia Reid was raised on “soul-touching, breathtaking, experimental music.” Even with just two songs out, those influences are already clear in her work. The West London singer’s debut release, “Your Light”, is an ode to reggae, with its bouncy beat, looped guitar riff and bursts of piano that can put a smile on anyone’s face. Her latest track, “Love”, carries a similar feel-good energy, radiating warmth and comfort through lines like, “Oh love, it’s evergreen,” and “You’re my stress relief, just what I need to take the pain away.”

Both tracks open with the same jagged vocal stint—the distinctive sound of producer and friend Sunset Drver, a creative Reid deeply respects. “It’s seamless between me and her,” she tells TRENCH. “We take each other in different directions that we’ve never explored musically and sonically. We just get along; we’re great friends, and there’s a connection which you can hear through the music. It’s nice to have a girly chat, and we make music to top it all off.” While the production environment may have been relaxed, coming to terms with accepting herself as a professional artist proved more challenging. “I made ‘Your Light’ in 2022,” Maia explains, “but I held it for some time because I needed to decide whether or not music was something I wanted to commit to full-time. Deep down, it has always been, but sometimes you just get in your own head.”

By being a risk-taker, Reid has captured the attention of music lovers far and wide with her reggae soundscape. Reflecting on moments where she’s felt blessed in her career so far, she notes, “I’ve had people come up to me saying they love ‘Your Light’, and that realisation of being able to make someone happy—whether or not they know it’s me singing—is unreal. I love that they’re receiving the positive message of the track.” It’s no wonder listeners are resonating with the music of this rising star, who has grown up around—and caught the attention of—reggae royalty, including The Peckings Brothers. “My dad used to go down every Friday and listen to Chris or Duke spin vinyl,” she says. “I’m happy to be acknowledged by them; to have their respect means the world to me.”

This recognition isn’t down to pure luck—it’s the result of Maia’s artistry and her authentic connection to the music she creates. At 26, she isn’t one to release work for the sake of it; instead, she believes in letting things unfold naturally. “I don’t really want to follow algorithms or what is expected of artists to impede on my music-making,” she says. “I like how my music feels natural and free—that’s the foundation of everything I do. I like to decide as and when; that way, I’m keeping my music as organic as possible.”

With new single “Love”, there’s one message Maia Reid wants everyone to know: “‘Your Light’ gave me a pace to try different things and ‘Love’ continues this journey. It’s an extension of what I sing about, and who doesn’t love love and all its different capacities we experience it in?”