Maxwell was enormously important in defining the neo-soul movement that rose to prominence in the latter half of the ’90s, recording some of the most ambitious R&B of his time, becoming wildly popular and earning critical raves in the process. Maxwell recorded his debut album in 1994, after which came Urban Hang Suite, which was a romantic concept album. Sales were slow at first, but the gold-selling second single “Ascension (Never Wonder)” lit the fuse and Urban Hang Suite went platinum, also earning a Grammy nomination. Now elevated to sex-symbol status, Maxwell capitalized on his breakthrough with the MTV Unplugged EP. 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. In 1999, Maxwell scored his biggest hit to date with the single “Fortunate.” In August 2001, Maxwell returned with his third full-length album, Now, which entered the album charts at number one and quickly launched a hit single in “Lifetime.” After taking several years off, Maxwell released BLACKsummers’night in 2009. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Albums Top 200 chart. Bad Habits” became the album’s first UK single. Maxwell received six nominations for the 2010 Grammy Awards, winning “Best R&B Album” for BLACKsummers’night and “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance” for “Pretty Wings.” In 2013, Maxwell released blackSUMMERS’night. He continues to tour the world.
