Bengaluru singer Mary Ann Alexander releases single NYC after viral park performance

Bengaluru-based R&B singer-songwriter Mary Ann Alexander officially released her new single, "NYC," on July 10, following a viral impromptu performance in New York's Washington Square Park. The track, which originated from a spontaneous seven-minute freestyle session on a park bench, gained international attention and praise from pop star SZA before its official studio release.

During her first trip to New York, Alexander had no initial intention of writing a song. While walking through Washington Square Park, she encountered a "Rap On The Beat" sign where an unnamed music producer was sitting with a microphone and a laptop, inviting people to freestyle. Alexander approached the producer and asked if she could sing instead.

The recorded clip of her performance quickly found an audience online, resonating with millions of viewers. The video eventually caught the attention of SZA, one of Alexander's major musical inspirations. SZA had previously acknowledged Alexander's music when her track "The Lovey Dovey Song" first went viral.

Many viewers who watched the original video on Instagram reached out to Alexander, stating that they related to the song as immigrants. Listeners expressed connection with the feeling of being overwhelmed, inspired, and small in a city where anything seems possible. This response motivated Alexander to recreate the performance in a studio. To preserve the charm of the original moment, she avoided overthinking the studio session and imagined herself back at the park bench.

The outward-looking theme of "NYC" stands apart from her recently released debut EP, "Love or a Lesson," which features more introspective songs exploring heartbreak, self-worth, and growth.

Alexander, whose father Alex Kayyalakkal is a Malayalam playback singer, developed much of her artistic journey in Bengaluru. She credited the city's collaborative environment, where independent musicians, producers, and filmmakers constantly cross paths, as the catalyst for her biggest creative breakthroughs.

Prior to this release, Alexander's international reach included performing on DJ AG's live sessions and receiving appreciation from global artists Craig David and Anderson .Paak.