Award-winning Spanish singer-songwriter Meïa Santiago draws on imagery of temptation and forbidden fruit in her seductive new single “Sexappeal”.
Meïa teamed up with renowned music producer Morris Hayes, former music director and keyboardist for Prince, and “Sexappeal” offers a head-bopping blend of reggae, pop, and jazzy arrangements. Its hypnotic chorus – "Sex appeal, my sex appeal, I'll give you something real” – evokes the enchantment of a Goddess Venus casting a spell over her lover.
Meanwhile, the accompanying music video features sultry choreography, as well as plenty of references to ripe apples – the forbidden fruit – for plenty of fun and, of course, a juicy burst of captivating sex appeal.
“The apple appears as the attribute of Venus, symbolizing her tempting tricks,” explains Meïa.
“Inspired by the enchanting melody that appears in the lyrics, it is a tribute to the Venusian and erotic spirit of love.”
Following her previous single "I Can't Stay Away From You,” which earned her an award at the Round the Globe Film and Music Festival (OR), Meïa joined forces with Clare Steffen, the festival's director and founder. Together, they crafted “Sexappeal” to explore the empowering side of sensuality, creating a flirty and liberating vibe that allows anyone and everyone to embrace their seductive side with sass and total confidence.
“My work has always explored femininity and sensuality,” asserts Meïa. “I am eager to write music about love and passion through the lens of the feminine. I have taken many risks in my life, all heightened as a woman-identified artist. I have ventured into new genres, like experimental movement and acting, to strengthen my work and the stories I can relay about womanhood.”
With a prolific career as a music director and keyboardist for music legends like Prince, The Time, Maceo Parker, Mazarati, and Sheila E., Morris Hayes skillfully created a musical backdrop that perfectly complements the message of the song.
“My deep admiration for his work with Prince sparked the initial connection,” recalls Meïa. “Our collaboration kicked off through Zoom calls and email exchanges from a distance. Subsequently, I visited Morris' studio to record vocals and keyboards. The final phase involved adding the musical elements, with some musicians hailing from Spain and others from the United States, forming an incredibly talented international band for this song.”
Meïa Santiago is an award-winning singer, songwriter, composer, and actor who started making music and a name for herself in Barcelona, Spain. After receiving her degree in Jazz and Modern Music Performance from ESEM Taller de Músics in Barcelona, she toured throughout Spain, building an audience and media buzz through her unique blend of musical genres.
She released several records including the EP Mülzien 25, which was produced by Dani Vega, guitarist of the Spanish pop rock band Mishima, and the album Lighthouse with Spanish record label Picap.
Meïa relocated to New York City in 2018 and has continued to push herself artistically through collaborations with city-based artists and at a wide range of legendary music venues including City Winery, DROM, Nublu, and Joe’s Pub. She has expanded her voice or composition skills by venturing into new genres, like experimental movement and acting, to strengthen her work and the stories she shares about womanhood.
