Maxi Priest – Legacy of Reggae Music
“Just a little bit longer baby
‘Cause my love keeps growing stronger
A little more time to say
But in my head a love song plays for you and me.”
For the lovers of old school reggae, this chorus alone was enough to keep you grooving all day or… maybe your jam sessions included other hits like “Close to You” and “Groovin’ in the Midnight.” It would be remiss of us to talk about the legacy of reggae music without acknowledging the mastermind behind these reggae tunes we have grown to know and love.
Max Alfred Elliott, better known by his stage name, “Maxi Priest” is an English reggae vocalist of Jamaican descent. From an early age, he was no stranger to music as his mother served as a lead singer for their church choir. Maxi Priest worked as a carpenter who built speaker boxes for local reggae sound system, Saxon Studio International.
It was not until 1984 that he made his first major mark in the industry. He along with Paul Robinson (“Barry Boom”) produced “Mi God, Mi King”, a hit performed by Papa Levi. This was the first ever UK reggae single to make Number One in Jamaica. Talk about hitting it home! Maxi Priest was on his way to becoming one of Jamaica’s reggae sensations. In 1987, Priest exploded the music scene with his “Maxi” album which included a hit cover of Cat Steven’s, “Wild World.” At this stage, he had been quickly winning international fame, but little did everyone know that this was just the beginning of his industry wide impact.
Maxi Priest’s music is in and of itself an instrument for the purpose of reviving love, joy, peace and hope among its listeners. While he has managed to do this remarkably well, his reach and accomplishments does not end here. The UK vocalist brings to the reggae genre, a level of sophistication that is unmatched. He has helped set the standard and perfected the art of reggae fusion. Though some industry experts and insiders might find it at times difficult to musically describe Maxi Priest, they can’t deny the quality and uniqueness of his work. Priest is known for his distinct and melodious blend of reggae with a heavy pop, R&B and even dancehall influence. As the saying goes, “music is universal” and Maxi Priest has allowed this expression to come to life through his musical style. Perhaps it has also been attributed to his international acclaim.
Priest considers himself a musical scientist as he keeps a strategic mix of the producers and artists he decides to collaborate with. This has resulted in the production diversity of the artist's musical style. Thanks to this unique vision alone, Priest has brought new levels of creativity to the industry. His willingness to embrace the diversity of his heritage (English and Jamaican) and his vast taste in genres and vocalists have played a significant role in developing what is now considered to be the artist's signature craft – reggae fusion.
The power and impact of Maxi Priest’s music lives on as he continues to travel the world, uniting a global audience with many of his greatest hits. His unique approach to reggae has preserved his work over the years, leaving him an iconic contributor to the legacy of reggae music.