After a 13-year hiatus since her 2012 album The MF Life, Toronto-born R&B songstress Melanie Fiona makes a compelling return with her latest EP, Say Yes, released on April 4, 2025. Known for emotive hits like “It Kills Me” and “4AM,” Fiona’s new project reflects her evolution as an artist and individual. The journey between albums has been transformative, with Fiona embracing motherhood and personal growth.
Say Yes serves as a testament to Fiona’s renewed confidence and artistic freedom. The title track, co-written with SiR and featuring contributions from Thundercat and Chris Dave, encapsulates her journey of embracing change and trusting her gut. Fiona explained, “’Say Yes’ [the single] is the anchor of this project because it was the first song that I knew was going to be on this project. It was a must for many reasons. It’s the most artful piece I’ve ever created.”
Melanie Fiona. Image: Franco Zulueta.
Another standout track, “Do That,” showcases Fiona’s collaboration with acclaimed songwriter James Fauntleroy. The song’s infectious groove, hypnotizing bass and intimate lyrics delve into the depths of romantic connection, with Fiona expressing awe at her partner’s love: “How did you do that? Is it magic?”
Embracing her newfound independence, Fiona has taken full control of her musical journey. Transitioning to an independent artist has allowed her to be “in the driver’s seat,” making creative decisions that align with her vision. In support of her latest EP, Fiona is set to embark on the Say Yes Tour, starting on Apr. 27 at the Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia. This tour offers fans an intimate experience, showcasing her evolution as an artist and the depth of her new material.
Beyond her musical endeavors, Fiona has expanded her creative outlets by co-hosting the podcast The Mama’s Den, where she and fellow mothers discuss the multifaceted journey of parenthood. This platform has allowed her to connect with audiences on a more personal level, further enriching her artistry.
Reflecting on her current path, Fiona shared, “It really just all became about freedom and peace, and prioritizing that. It all came together at once for me to really redefine myself and identify like, ‘what do I want the rest of my life to look like?’”
EBONY: Since the last time you released a full-length project, 2012’s The MF Life, a lot of things in the world and in your life have changed. What feels like the biggest difference in how you’re navigating the music industry?
Melanie Fiona: Now I am an independent artist. What I’m experiencing is the extreme hands-on approach that has to be involved when you are an independent artist. I have my eyes on everything. I care so much about everything. I also have so many other people to care for now in my life because I’m a mom. There’s a fine balance—and I never really like to use “balance” ’cause it’s not a real thing. It’s never really 50/50. But it’s finding my own rhythm in it.
I think the thing that I have now that maybe I didn’t have before is freedom and autonomy to do it how I want to do it. Not comparing myself to an expectation of a version of what I once was. I already did that. I’ve already been that. It’s, “What do I want it to look like now? And what do I want to say right now?” That’s what this project represents. It represents the journey of where I’ve been and the art of follow-through.
The business model of what’s successful has changed. You’re aware you’re a different person now than you once were. Is that something that came through being a parent and being confident in who you are now?
It all came together at once. When I decided to explore what the independent route would look like for me, I also became a mom. There was a lot of shifting required of me personally and professionally. Becoming a mom really made me think about how I want to work in the music industry. It all became about freedom, peace and prioritizing that.
Now being the one in charge and handling everything, how do you find that balance of staying true to the music while still recognizing it’s a business and wanting to hit certain metrics—touring, playlisting, etc.? How do you navigate the music versus the business?
It’s about team. I had to rebuild and restructure my business, find new team members, create new energy and work with people aligned with how I want to do business and what the goal is. How I want to work and be a mom and a wife – not a machine. It’s about alignment and working with people who share my morals, energy and purpose. It makes it so much more fun and enjoyable.
Let’s talk about preparing for the tour, reconnecting with your fans in this capacity. Where is your state of mind as you get ready to go back on the road?
It’s gratitude—gratitude that people are excited to see me, that I still have energy and health to do it, and support from my family and children so I can be a full version of myself. There’s also anxiety. With such a long break between projects, there are people who haven’t discovered me yet and people who have been waiting. I think my presentation—how I want them to see and feel me—is almost like a first-time thing for both of us. Being able to headline, present my music the way I’ve always wanted, having a catalog people love, is a fascinating mix of high anxiety, high excitement, gratitude, humility, ego.
You just mentioned your kids supporting you. Are they going to come on tour with you? How does that work?
My son is in school. I have a 9-year-old and a 3-year-old. They won’t come to every date, but they’ll pop out. This will be the longest I’ve been away from my kids since I’ve had both of them. I’m bracing myself for that, but I’m also excited for them to see what I do. I think that’s important for them to understand who I am as an artist, as their mother and as a person in this world.
That sounds like balance to me or the closest you’re gonna get.
The closest I’m gonna get [laughs].
You embrace real instrumentation—real trumpets, real bass. Can people expect that fullness on stage?
Oh yeah. Even when I do a DJ show or a track set, I have a live musician with me because the element of live musicianship is magical. It fills the room. Going out with drums, having a real experience, will always be part of what I do. I appreciate that the music I make calls for that. If it were up to me, I’d have a 20-piece band on stage—horn section, strings, everything.
“Do That” personally is the standout song on the EP.
Yes, I have to give kudos to the songwriter I worked with on that record, James Fauntleroy. He is one of the greatest songwriters of our time and one of my very first friends when I started doing music. He showed up for me in this season, and it’s a blessing. It’s a gift to work with friends and create awesome things.
How is it different this time around, having these friendships, being in the studio, sharing your life?
With the exception of Andrea Martin—may she rest in peace—this is the most fun I’ve had in the studio. Andrea wrote “Gone and Never Coming Back,” “It Kills Me,” most of my first album The Bridge. Working with friends, there’s an awe and mutual respect. With songs like “Say Yes,” you’ve got SiR, Thundercat, Charlie Burrell, Chris Dave, Andre Harris—people I’ve admired for years who showed up to contribute. Akil Henry, Eddie, guys from Toronto who understand where I’m from for “I Choose You.”
It was fun. That’s what I want people to feel when they listen: I’m in a good place. I feel positive, healed, excited about life. I feel loved on in the right way. I want people to feel the affirmation in these songs. Lots of good tempo, good vibes.
Touching on The Mama’s Den: that’s been a huge platform. You joined during the pandemic and became the fourth host. People have gotten to know you differently than as a musician. What about that experience feels like this new chapter of music and business?
It reaffirms the importance of connection and community. As an independent or major artist, your fan base—people who invest and show up—is everything if you want to do this as a business. The podcast gave me another outlet to use my voice, which I believe is my purpose. I don’t limit my voice to just music anymore; I use it wherever it’s needed. If someone wants me to speak, I’ll speak.
What made you decide to name the EP after the “Say Yes” track? What was it about that song that made you feel it encapsulates the project?
“Say Yes” is the anchor of this project because it was the first song I knew had to be on it. It’s the most artful piece I’ve ever created. This song is seven minutes long in its entirety. It’s a magic and a boldness people can be afraid of now because everything’s quick. Albums are 23 minutes, no bridges. I wanted to give people something to sit with and feel, get lost in, smoke to, make love to, drive to, meditate to—whatever they want—within that seven minutes. Lyrically, it’s an open love letter to my now husband. It’s about the time we realized, “You’re my person,” but we needed to go for it.
What are you actively saying yes to, and what are you actively saying no to?
I’m saying yes to allowing the universe to surprise me. I’m saying yes to knowing the experience, hours, years of sacrifice and hard work I’ve put in will bloom into the life I envision. I’m saying no to participating in anything that makes me feel bad, icky or exhausted from an energetic standpoint—anything low-vibration. I’m saying no to working with people not aligned with what I want to do or how I want to do it. I’m saying no to habits that no longer serve me. I’m saying yes to being the fullest version of myself, unapologetically guided by Spirit and God. The approval of my children is all I need.
