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Maxwell (musician)

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History

Maxwell along with many other artists, was tremendously important in the shaping of the neo-soul movement during the late '90s.

Now Album Cover


Maxwell was born in Brooklyn, New York May 23, 1973. Maxwell is really his middle name. He chooses to keep his first and last name to himself, to assure absolute privacy from the media. At the age of three, Maxwell lost his father in a plane crash. As a result of this, Maxwell decided to go to God for guidance. It was then, in the Baptist church that Maxwell first began to sing. At the age of seventeen was when Maxwell really got into music. He started writing songs using a cheap Casio keyboard.


In 1994, he signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. It was during that year, Maxwell recorded his debut album, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite. Collaborators include, songwriter Leon Ware, guitarist Wah Wah Watson, and multi-instrumentalist Stuart Matthewman. The album was inspired by a brief affair. But it wasn't released in 1994. Due to certain fears, Columbia decided to shelf the album. It wasn't until the spring of 1996 that Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite finally appeared. The album was slow to gain favor with audiences because Maxwell's sound was different. One would call it, Neo-soul. But listeners continued to hear Maxwell and his sound caught on, thanks to the gold-selling second single Ascension (Never Wonder). At years end, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite was platinum and he had a Grammy Nomination.


In 1999, Maxwell saw his biggest hit to date with the single Fortunate, which was written by R. Kelly, for the soundtrack for the film LIFE. Billboard ranked it as the number one R&B hit of the year.


Maxwell attributes inspiration from legendary guitarist Wah Wah Watson, who's played with a vast array of artists including Marvin Gaye, Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Hancock and Barry White.



Influences include: Marvin Gaye, Prince, and many others.

Discography

Albums

Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite Album Cover
Unplugged Album Cover
  • 2001- Now (LP)
  • 1998- Embrya (LP)
  • 1997- MTV's Unplugged: Maxwell (EP)
  • 1996- Maxwell's Urban Hange Suite (LP)


Singles

  • This Woman's Work
  • Lifetime
  • Get to Know Ya
  • Fortunate
  • Let's Not Play the Game
  • Martimony: Maybe You
  • Luxury: Cococure
  • Whenever, Wherever, Whatever
  • Sumthin', Sumthin'
  • Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)
  • Til the Cops Come Knockin


Soundtracks

  • 2000- Love and Basketball (This Woman's Work)
  • 1999- The Best Man (Let's Not Play the Game, As My Girl)
  • 1999- Life (Fortunate)
  • 1996- Love Jones (Sumthin', Sumthin': Mellosmoothe)

Italic songs were singles

Awards and nominations

Awards

Soul Train Awards (2000) (15th Annual)
2000- Best R&B/Soul Single - Male, "Fortunate" by Maxwell
Soul Train Awards (1996) (11th Annual)
1996- Best R&B/Soul Single - Male, "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" - Maxwell
1996- Best R&B/Soul Album - Male, "Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite" - Maxwell
1996- Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist, "Ascension" - Maxwell
Billboard Music Awards (1999) (10th Annual)
1999- R&B single, "Fortunate", Maxwell


Nominations

Embrya Album Cover
BET Awards 2002 (2nd Annual)
2002- Best Male R&B
Soul Train Music Awards- 1999 (14th Annual)
1999- Best R&B/Soul Album - Male, Embrya - Maxwell
Soul Train Music Awards- 2002 (17th Annual)
2002- Best R&B/Soul Single - Male, "This Woman's Work" - Maxwell
Grammy Awards- 1996 (39th Annual)
1996- Best Rhythm & Blues Album, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite - Maxwell
Grammy Awards-1997 (40th Annual)
1997- Pop Male Vocalist, Maxwell - "Whenever Wherever Whatever"
Grammy Awards-1998 (41st Annual)
1998- R&B Male Vocalist, Maxwell - "Matrimony: Maybe You"
1998- R&B Album, Embrya - Maxwell
Grammy Awards-1999 (42nd Annual)
1999- R&B Male Vocalist, Maxwell - "Fortunate"
Grammy Awards-2001 (44th Annual)
2001- Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, "Lifetime" - Maxwell
NAACP Image Awards- 2001 (33rd Annual)
2001- Outstanding Male Artist, Maxwell - "Lifetime"
MTV- Video Music Awards- 2002 (19th Annual)
2002- Breakthrough Video, Maxwell - "This Woman's Work"
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards- 1999 (6th Annual)
1999- Favorite Song, "Fortunate" - Life

Offical Website
www.musze.com

Fan sites
Ascension of Soul, For Lover's Only Website, Maxwell Chronicles

Maxwell's Groove Room, Muszewell, The Latest Maxwell News

Groups/Forums
Maxwell Fan Forum, MaxwellStyle, Nites Auraqual Family

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