Mary Ann Alexander’s musical path is a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse cultural threads. Hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, a region renowned for its rich classical arts, Mary Ann’s sound effortlessly transcends geographical boundaries, embracing the soulful rhythms of R&B, the intricate melodies of jazz, and the infectious energy of Afrobeat.
Her newest release, “Commitment,” stands as a testament to this unique blend, featuring an exciting collaboration with none other than R&B superstar Craig David. The unexpected partnership blossomed from an Instagram interaction, where Craig David’s encouraging comments on her posts caught her attention. For Mary Ann, who had admired his work for years, this was a profound validation of her artistry.
The turning point arrived with a direct message: “Let’s do a song together.” The timing was impeccable, as Mary Ann was already planning a trip to the UK. She eagerly anticipated meeting him, and events unfolded rapidly thereafter.
Mary Ann penned her verse for “Commitment” during a car ride to a recording studio nestled in the English countryside. By the time she finally met Craig in person, the song was already taking shape. She describes their meeting as effortless: “He was exactly as I had imagined—genuine, kind, and incredibly humble for someone of his stature. He made me feel at ease, so I never felt intimidated despite how big the project was.”
What truly distinguishes Mary Ann’s career is her ability to infuse her Malayali identity into the global music scene, not just through collaborations with luminaries like Craig David, Tiwa Savage, or Anderson .Paak, but through an organic, unforced fusion of her roots and international tastes. She explains, “I never consciously thought about blending my identity with the music I make. I simply listen to what excites me, and that’s what naturally emerges in my creations.”
Music has always been an integral part of Mary Ann’s life. Her father, a musician himself, frequently took her to studios from a young age. While he recorded, she would observe the sound engineers, absorbing every detail. Occasionally, he would bring her into the booth, teaching her fundamental techniques like mic control and stage presence. She credits her parents’ shared musicality and the constant creative environment for nurturing her talent, stating that creativity “runs deep in the family” and “rubs off when you’re constantly surrounded by it.”
Rooted in Kerala’s Rich Traditions
Beyond her early studio experiences, Mary Ann’s formative years were significantly shaped by Kerala’s vibrant musical heritage, which honed her voice and instilled discipline. From the tender age of five, her father encouraged her to delve into Indian classical music, and she would attend classes alongside her mother. Initially, she admits, “As a child, I didn’t have much patience and didn’t like going.” However, her perspective shifted dramatically in third or fourth grade when she encountered an inspiring teacher. This mentor prepared students for Kerala’s renowned youth festivals, which demand rigorous training and technically challenging renditions, often of patriotic songs. She recollects, “I never attended classes, I was always at rehearsals.” She also trained in Margam Kali, a traditional Christian art form from Kerala, where she learned to project her voice over the rhythmic foot-thumping of dancers. These experiences, she emphasizes, were crucial in strengthening “the quality and power of my voice.”
A pivotal moment arrived when she first heard Sid Sriram’s “Adiye” from the Mani Ratnam-A R Rahman film Kadal. She was captivated by its strong R&B sensibility. “It had such a strong R&B feel, and I had to learn it for a stage show my dad encouraged me to take part in. I was about 13 or 14, obsessed with that song. It felt so natural for my voice, and that’s when I thought, ‘okay, this is the style I’m most comfortable with.’ Around the same time, a friend introduced me to more R&B music, and everything fell into place.”
An Unplanned Entry into Cinema
Mary Ann’s venture into the film industry was entirely accidental. At 15, after a friend lent her a guitar, she began learning a few chords. Unexpectedly, she found herself composing an entire song. This was her first complete original composition, which she recorded and shared with her friend. Unbeknownst to her, her friend’s father, filmmaker T.K. Rajeev Kumar, happened to hear the track while working on a script in the next room. Mary Ann recounts with a smile, “He heard my song and apparently told her, ‘What is that? I can already see scenes in my head. I need that in my movie’.” This serendipitous moment led to her first song, an English track titled “Over the Ocean,” being featured in Rajeev Kumar’s Malayalam film Kolaambi, which was released in 2023, years after its creation.
Bengaluru: A Creative Haven
While Kerala provided Mary Ann with a foundational grounding, instilling classical discipline and exposure to traditional art forms, her move to Bengaluru marked a new chapter of inspiration. “Kerala gave me the ability, but Bengaluru gave me the inspiration,” she asserts. Music wasn’t her family’s initial preferred career path, with her mother advocating for an alternative. Mary Ann sought a field that still resonated with her passion. Studying Visual Communication at St. Joseph’s, she discovered a world of possibilities. She witnessed “seniors and alumni doing things I didn’t even imagine could be pursued; illustrators, photographers, brand strategists. It was inspiring to see people following their passions.”
The city also unveiled its dynamic independent music scene, where she finally connected with her creative “tribe” among rappers, producers, and singers. She found that “The gigs, the collaborations, and the sense of possibility I absorbed from the city reaffirmed my faith in doing what I loved.” Over time, Bengaluru transcended its role as a mere stepping stone, becoming her cherished home. “I’ve been here eight years now, and I’m a homebody. I like creating my own space, working alone, and spending hours on my music. Work is play for me. Somewhere along the way, this city gave me both my people and my sense of belonging.”