Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo

Beat The System’s Lead Singer May Leigh Talks About What It’s Like Being a Female in the Music Industry

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at New School chapter.

May Leigh brought an American twist (and a female voice) to the Malaysian Pop/Rock band, Beat The System. Since her induction into Stewart and Gerald’s rock family, Beat The System has written and produced a 12-track album that reflects their journey through life. 

HC: Where did you attend school (high school and or university name)? 

May: “I attended a performing arts high school in Florida called Dr. Phillips.”

HC: Where is your hometown? 

May: “Wherever my suitcase is, I’m home.”

HC: What was your first experience with music like? What song/band sticks out the most to you from your childhood? 

May: “I can’t remember my first experience with music. It just always kinda been my life since I was a kid.”

HC: When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in the music industry? 

May: “I never realized I wanted to do anything, really. Music just found me, it just happened.”

HC: What can listeners expect to hear from the music you make? 

May: “The goal is to create music that can stand the test of time where classic, catchy melodies meet modern and contemporary sound.”

HC: Describe your music in three or four words:

May: “Empowering. Positive. Modern.”

HC: Musically, who inspires you the most?

May: “I have such a broad music taste. It would take me months to list my influences. I always have recent and classic influences. It depends on my mood really, but I listen to everything from the Carpenters to Tech 9.”

HC: What do you think your “biggest break” or “greatest opportunity” has been so far in your musical career?

May: “To be a part of Beat The System.”

HC: What has been your biggest challenge so far? 

May: “Being a female in the industry. Since Gwen Stefani wrote ‘Im just a girl’ in the 90’s, nothing has changed.”

HC: Tell me about any collaborations you’ve been working on: 

May: “Our band has just released a brand-new remix of “Be Your Own” featuring the incredible DJ Riddler who’s known to work with every top artist out there.”

HC: What would you say is your favorite part of being in the music industry? 

May: “Being able to do what I love which is to sing.”

See the video for “Be Your Own” below: 

[Images Courtesy of Beat The System] 

Tabitha Britt

New School '18

Tabitha Britt (formerly Tabitha Shiflett) was the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Correspondent of Her Campus at The New School between August 2016 - January 2018. Tabitha graduated from The New School of Social Research on January 31, 2018. She's also a graduate of the Dub (The University of North Carolina Wilmington, UNCW) where she held the position of Managing Editor for the UNCW HC team. You can find her byline in a variety of publications including CBS Local, Taste of Home, Luna Luna, Thought Catalog, and Elite Daily. See more at www.tabithashiflett.com.