Maxwell
Biography
Along with fellow founders D'Angelo and Erykah Badu, Maxwell was enormously important in defining and shaping the neo-soul movement that rose to prominence over the latter half of the '90s. Drawing his greatest inspiration from the concept of the R&B auteur (looking to artists like Prince, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, etc.), Maxwell recorded some of the most ambitious R&B of his time, becoming wildly popular and often earning critical raves in the process. What was more, his recurring theme of romantic monogamy set him apart from the vast majority of his bump'n'grind lover-man contemporaries.
Maxwell was born May 23, 1973, in Brooklyn, NY; he adopted his middle name as his stage moniker, keeping his real identity a closely guarded secret out of concern for his family's privacy. Born of Puerto Rican and black Caribbean stock, Maxwell suffered the loss of his father (in a plane crash) when he was just three years old. The experience made him a deeply religious child, and he first began singing in his Baptist church. Still, he didn't really get serious about music until age 17, when he began writing his own songs using a cheap Casio keyboard given to him by a friend. Initially influenced by early-'80s urban R&B, he progressed rapidly, and by 1991 he was performing on the New York club scene, despite ridicule from classmates who couldn't imagine the shy, awkward teenager doing anything of the sort. After making a name for himself, he signed a recording contract with Columbia in 1994.
Maxwell recorded his debut album that year, working extensively with several collaborators: songwriter Leon Ware (who'd co-written much of the material on Marvin Gaye's I Want You album in 1976), guitarist Wah Wah Watson (who'd also worked with Gaye), and multi-instrumentalist Stuart Matthewman (a longtime cohort of Sade). Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite was a romantic concept album in the vein of Gaye's greatest '70s work, with a more modern flavor courtesy of Prince's influence; inspired by a brief but intense affair, the record's giddy celebration of committed monogamy could have come off as old-fashioned as its classic influences, given the marketplace dominance of hip-hop soul at the time. Partly for those fears, it wasn't released right away, although a series of shake-ups in Columbia's management played a bigger role in the delay. It wasn't until the spring of 1996 that Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite finally appeared. Sales were slow to take off at first, even though Maxwell scored some airplay with "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'." The gold-selling second single "Ascension (Never Wonder)" lit the fuse, however, and Urban Hang Suite went platinum before a year had passed, also earning a Grammy nomination.
Now elevated to sex-symbol status, Maxwell capitalized on his breakthrough with the MTV Unplugged EP, taken from his live MTV performance. It attracted attention and acclaim outside the R&B community with the left-field cover choices "This Woman's Work" (by prog rocker Kate Bush) and "Closer" (the Nine Inch Nails hit). Additionally, the Unplugged version of "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" earned him another Grammy nomination (for Best Male Pop Vocal). Anticipation for his second full-length album was high, and when Embrya was released in 1998, it entered the charts at number three. Reviews were more mixed this time around, with some critics charging that Maxwell's ambition had crossed the line into indulgence; still, the record duplicated its predecessor's platinum sales. In 1999, Maxwell scored his biggest hit to date with the single "Fortunate," an R. Kelly composition he recorded for the soundtrack of the film Life; it was a mammoth success, ranking as the number one R&B hit of the year in Billboard magazine. Later that year, he also cut two songs for the soundtrack of The Best Man.
In August 2001, Maxwell returned with his third full-length album, Now, which was touted as a return to the more straightforwardly romantic atmosphere of his debut. It entered the album charts at number one and quickly launched a hit single in "Lifetime." ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
Maxwell, I will always love your style of music, keep keeping on brother!!!!G o d has truely blessed you....... NAIMFISHER@Y A H O O . C O M
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We are so waiting for his return. Memphis loved him then and loves him now. Can't wait for his return.
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He is one of the best R&B artists in my opinion and recognition is well-deserve d . I love his voice and style.
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Ooooh!! Maxwell is a breath of fresh air. Just set your mood so nice and takes your everyday fast life and slow everything down...Thank you for just knowing what to do for us Brooklynites ! ! !
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His voice is soothing and awesome to hear after a stressful day. He's awesome and truly blessed! I love him!
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i love the creative talent behind the man. he's s-e-x-y and b-e-a-u-t-i- f - u - l
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I CANT WAIT TILL HIS NEW ALBUM COMES OUT!!!!!! PRETTY WINGS IS THE BEST SONG EVER!
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I heard he's coming out with a new cd. Check out his web page www.musze.co m . He has cut off his hair which was a shock for me. Oh and by the way I was hooked when I heard matrimony maybe. That is my jam.
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I first heard Maxwell when I was in Montego Bay, Jaimaca on vacation and it was "Till the Cops Come Knockin." I became a instant fan at such a young age, great music.
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i can remember my pops listening to maxwell's urban hang suite in 96' and me singing along to every song that played. although i was only about 9 years old at the time, i instantly became a maxwell fan and i cant wait for the new album to drop black summers night!
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Talk about unfilled potential. I was in Kensington Sq in the spring of '96 when I heard 'Til the Cops Com Knockin' I literally ran into the record store and demand a copy of "whatever that is playin" I did not care if all the other songs were crap, this was the jam. Think of Fifty Cents and the first time you heard In Da Club - same immediate effect. Very few artists achieve this gut reaction. And to see what Maxwell has done since, so so disappointin g .
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"Black Summers Night" is the new highly anticipated trilogy from columbia recording artist Maxwell. Three seperate discs will be released over the course of three years starting this year. This summer 08 This was taken from Myspacemusic
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Where is Maxwell? It's time for him to return with some more great music. I love his style of music.
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He does have an album set to debut this year. If you are on myspace, add him to your friends list for some sample music.
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Maxwell when are going to grace the world with more of your extremely wonderful talent? May God Bless You Maxwell :)
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Maxwell is a exceptional artist. Does he plan to record agai? We all await his return to the music scene
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Thank you!!!! Finally, at the end of the night and the crack of dawn, I get to start my journey with this woman's work, you are my hero.
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A great artist, I'm waiting for something new to break lose, I love all his music. Please....co m e b a c k !
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Where is he now? Is he still making music. I heard he is on crack! Will there be another album soon? If he is strungout I pray for his recovery.
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MAXWELL is very sexy,laidbac k , cool, and honest. I cant wait to see what he has plan for us!! I'm waiting MAX!!!
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His music is timeless. I can listen to ANY song and just get into that groove. Can't wait for his new album to drop. BTW, the brotha is fiiiiine!
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I LOVE MAXWELL MUSIC.HE'S TALENTED AND VERY ORIGIONAL ALSO HIS JOURNEY BEFORE HE BECAME WHO HE IS TODAY IS VERY INSPIRING AS WELL AS HIS MUSIC. I CAN LISTEN TO TIL THE COP'S COME KNOCKING & THIS WOMAN'S WORK,TWENTY- F O U R SEVEN.I LUV HIS GROWN AND SEXY FEEL,AS AN ARTIST MAXWELL IS BANANNA'S WITH IT! DONT YOU AGREE!.
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i love maxwell and i cant wait for his next cd...there is no one else like him...no one can come close..no r. kelly, non of the new little boys that are on the radio...no one can come close to maxwell!
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I love maxwell and his music. He is by far my favorite artist. I am anticipating his new cd and seeing him on tour again. i am a almost 52 year old woman and i love love love him.
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