Music insiders would have you believe that there are a variety of distinct
musical genres and categories, with musical mélange rarely found. Music fans,
however, embrace melodies and rhythms that mean something to them, no matter
their origin. Maxi Priest represents this musical universality. Through the
release of 10 albums and countless live performances he has unleashed a
one-world music making him the greatest selling living reggae performer in the
world.
The second youngest of nine children, Maxi’s parents moved to London, England
from Jamaica to provide more opportunity for their young family. His father
worked as a steelworker, while his mother devoted herself to Christianity as a
missionary at a Pentecostal Church where she was the lead singer for the church
choir. As a youngster Maxi grew up with the sounds of gospel, reggae, R&B, and
pop music in his home.
Maxi first demonstrated his vocal abilities by singing over the mic at live
dancehall sessions with artists such as Smiley Culture, while working as a
carpenter building speaker boxes for a local reggae sound-system. He first made
musical history in 1984 co-producing with Paul "Barry Boom" Robinson the first
UK reggae tune to reach Number One in Jamaica, Philip Levi's "Mi God Mi King“.
Maxi first gained worldwide recognition with the release of Maxi (1988).
Recorded in Jamaica with legendary musicians Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, and
Willie Londo and released in America by Virgin Records, it contains the hit
singles "Some Guys Have All the Luck" and a cover of the Cat Steven's classic
"Wild World" gave Maxi. The album also includes roots favorites such as a duet
with Beres Hammond, “How Can We Ease the Pain”.
Maxi followed up this success with 1990’s gold album release, Bonafide. The
single “Close To You”, hit Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart and
Number Two on the Hot R&B Singles chart solidifying Maxi’s title as the “King of
Lover’s Rock”.
The following year, Maxi was again elevated to the top of the charts by
collaborations with Roberta Flack on “Set the Night to Music”, and Shabba Ranks
on “Housecall”. He capped off the 1991 with the release Best of Me, a powerful
compilation of hits from his four previous albums.
Maxi’s reputation for balancing hard-core reggae vibes with mainstream pop was
firmly cemented by the mid nineties, leading to widespread critical acclaim and
massive growth in popularity as a recording and touring artist. In 1996, Maxi
released “That Girl”, a duet with Shaggy from the album Man with the Fun. The
Hype Williams-directed video for the Grammy Nominated hit single quickly became
an MTV staple.
CombiNation (1999), embraces Maxi’s musical heritage combining elements of
reggae, hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Featuring tracks produced by and co-written by
Sly & Robbie, Robert Livingston, Simon Law, and Joe, the album includes “Mary’s
Got A Baby”. The ambitious release also includes a sizzling rap from Beenie Man;
the fierce and furious “She Wants To Dance” featuring toasters Degree and Red
Rat; the uplifting “We Tomorrow’s People” - a collaboration with the acclaimed
acid jazz band Icognito; the smooth cover of the Donny Hathaway/Roberta Flack
old-school R&B hit “Back Together Again” featuring Elisha La’Verne; and the
righteous reggafied take on Stevie Wonder’s classic “Golden Lady.”
The 2005 release, 2 The Max, includes the dancehall anthems “Full Hundred” and
“Sweat a Go Buss” (featuring Beres Hammond), and “Believe in Love”, featuring
2005’s hottest rhythm.
Today, Maxi Priest’s music continues to grow beyond bounds.