1. Growing Up
Growing up in church. Listening to the sounds of gospel music, and the voice of my mother singing. Growing up in a Pentecostal household, with nine brothers and sisters. We had a wide range of music from country and western, reggae, R&B, pop music, classical, etc. It was a very wide range of music, as we are all musical and have a massive appreciation for music, entertainment, and culture. My parents were working class people. Very strong in family, kind, and loving. I would say they were musos. My mother was a missionary in the church, always sung and created songs for the church. My dad on the other hand, always played country and western music and enjoyed music in his own way in the house, and loved to party. My childhood affected my musicianship very much. From my parents always singing in the house, especially my mother, and also my sisters and brothers. We all created our own entertainment, and always performed for each other. The whole house was a singing home.
2. Inspirations
I think it’s well known that I consider Dennis Brown my biggest influence in my singing. But I have such an appreciation for so many great artists before me. The Jackson 5, Beatles, Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves…this list could go on, and on, and on. Everything positive inspires me. Life inspires me. To be progressive inspires me. To work hard inspires me. To achieve inspires me. To be happy inspires me. To enjoy life inspires me. I wish for a beautiful world in peace and love.
3. Your Crew
My brothers, sisters, and family. David Sloane and the Sloane family. Toby Ludwig and everyone at 21st Century Artist Inc office. Social Media, Miho Jackson and Denise Gore. To my band. One of the best drummers in the world, Paul Kastick. One of the greatest bass players in the world, Othniel ‘Taddy P’ Campbell. One of the greatest all around keyboard players, Richard ‘Goofy’ Campbell. My guitarist, Joe Sansaverino, who I think is one of the greatest players of all time. DJ extraordinaire, Beniton the Menace. Look out for him. My crew does not end here. There are so many people, and so many names that make Maxi Priest happen.
4. The Music You Make And Play
The new album Easy To Love ranges from a lot of different styles, as I’ve always done when creating albums. Although this is a lovers rock album. I say it’s a moment in time, something to treasure. With the help of so many great professionals. The album started with Collin ‘Bulby’ York, the great Sly and Robbie, Handel Tucker, Livingstone Brown from London, De Red Boyz from Barbados, Clive Hunt from Jamaica, with some excellent features from the great Beres Hammond, DJ Assassin, a young lady from the UK, Jordan Delarosa. So many more great people that helped in making this album. When you come to my shows, it’s all about having a wonderful time. I do my concerts to make people have a real live experience, be part of my music, and a part of the show. A Maxi Priest concert is a place where you let your hair down and have a good time.
5. Music, Right Here, Right Now
There’s a lot of good music and a lot of good artists out there today. But the business is still new and still taking some getting used to. And with that we have to be open minded to evolve.
