Philadelphia, PA: Celebrated Grammy award winning artist, Maxi Priest will perform live in Philadelphia this summer. The event is being sponsored by the African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) in collaboration with the Penn's Landing. Organizers say the live show will be held at Penn's Landing.
The celebrated reggae star is expected to share the stage with some local African musicians including Gebah Swaray and his band.
Widely regarded by his fans as the "King of Lovers Rock", The British star's twenty year career remains as strong as ever. Recently he toured with British Reggae legends UB40 in the UK.
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Of Jamaican descent, and the second youngest of nine children, Priest was born in Lewisham. Maxi’s parents moved to London, England from Jamaica to provide more opportunity for their family. Maxi grew up listening to gospel, reggae, R&B, and pop music.
He is known as the 'King of Lovers Rock'. His music is sometimes closer to Rhythm and blues and pop music, than to reggae music itself.
His first major album was the self-titled ''Maxi Priest'' (1988) which, along with his cover of Cat Stevens' Wild World", established him as one of the top British reggae singers.
This internationally acclaimed vocalist is one of only two United Kingdom reggae acts (other being UB40) to score an American Billboard magazine Number One. That was with the song entitled "Close to You” (Maxi Priest song), which was released in 1990.
In addition, a duet (music) with Roberta Flack - "Set the Night to Music" - also reached the United States Top Ten in 1991.
In the latter half of his lengthy recording career, Priest has favored working alongside other artists, both established and up-and-coming. He has worked with Sly & Robbie, Shaggy (artist), Beres Hammond, Jazzie B, Apache Indian, Roberta Flack and Shabba Ranks.
U.K.
reggae artist Maxi Priest started his
musical career in the eighties when he
joined Saxon Sound International.
With his appealing blend of dancehall, roots, lovers rock and soul, Maxi Priest has achieved a tremendous breakthrough to a worldwide audience, thus becoming one of the most popular international reggae singers since the "King of Reggae," Bob Marley.
His debut album titled "You're Safe" featured his band Caution. On his 1988 "Maxi Priest" album, he collaborated with leading Jamaican rhythm section Sly & Robbie. "Some Guys Have All the Luck" and a cover of Cat Steven's "Wild World" brought him worldwide recognition and, all of a sudden, he is one of Britain's best-loved artists. What really catches is when Maxi Priest goes political with "How Can We Ease The Pain?" Co-written by Maxi and R. Simpson, this song questions the unfairness of life. "Electing ones with no feelings" and wondering "…who's gonna pay for their (children) tomorrow…TELL ME," he demands.
Title of background music: "House Call" with Maxi Priest and Shabba Rank