EXCLUSIVE! Maxi Priest.

"It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice"

Maxi Priest is one of the World’s greatest Reggae artists, with a career spanning well over 30 years. Starting as part of the Saxon Sound System, he later went solo have haven’t looked back since. Some of Maxi’s hits, are Close to you, Wild world, and Just a Little bit Longer to name a few. Maxi Priest is one of the most versatile artists out there, who have collaborated with the likes of UB40 and John Holt. Having recently performed at the Reggae and Riddim Festival in Newport on the 31st July, he is no stranger to Wales and said that us Welsh are lovely people. Bless him! he is a humble man and welcomed an interview for the BOMB, on Radio Cardiff and Xcellence Magazine, just for you lovely lot!

How was the Reggae and Riddim Festival for you?

We had an awesome time, it was fantastic, before coming up to Wales, I was just thinking, I am going to have a great time as I normally do. I have been there a few times, recently with UB40 and John Holt, in Cardiff. I think this was the first time I performed in Newport; I don’t remember. But Newport, was amazing and I can’t wait to go back. I truly want to thank the Welsh people for always supporting me, they are super friendly, and I appreciate them.

Maxi Priest performing at Reggae and Riddim festival, Tredegar House, Newport.

Reggae music always sets a nice vibe, doesn’t it?

Yeah, reggae is a one love vibration, I just try to continue to keep bringing the love, what more do we have? What’s the point of life if we can’t figure out ways to get alone, regardless of what colour or class, you are. For me as a Caribbean kid, I grew up listening to, Jackson 5, Elvis Presley, Elton John, and the list goes on.

Who was your biggest influence on your career in the early years?

I would say, Denise Brown and obviously the great Bob Marley. But for me it is about the art, I have taken inspiration from so many different genres. From a very young age I realised I could sing, and people would always ask me to perform for them as a child. My sister would be into Motown and my brothers into reggae, so I would listen to what was going on. Because I wanted to understand the gift that I thought I had. I would also go to church and listen to gospel.

You have a USA tour coming up, what are looking forward to the most?

I’m just trying to have some fun! Even when I was at the Reggae, and Riddim, I approached the stage a little different from before. I think because of Covid, people just want to have some fun and appreciate life. We must try to enjoy the fact that we are still here, because we have lost some good people. I feel like there is a massive thought process going on, because before, we were moving too fast and now its time to put the brakes on. I am still trying to comprehend what happened, but at the same time I focus on what do and what I can do.

You have duetted with many great artists, is there anyone currently that you would like to duet with?

Yes, there are so many of them, I can't even pick a name, the scene is solid right now, it’s exciting. There are a lot of great female artists, there is a nice balance, and my door is always open.

"I visited Wales with the intention of giving it all I got"

I hear that you used to be a regular at the Casablanca Club in Cardiff?

Yes, I remember that place it was amazing. The thing is times change and it is new generation, and every generation is going to come with their spin on things. We must be open to that, because if we don’t understand them and they don’t understand us, then they won’t have no guidance and we won’t know where we are going in the future. One of the hardest things in life is having balance, it is up to us to find the balance, so we can keep the younger generation grounded. However, a lot of the music that is out there has many elements of the old school stuff. For instance, look at Afrobeats, a lot of that has it's roots in Reggae.

"They are going to be tired to see my face, because they cannot get me out of the race! – Bob Marley"

How did the cover of Bruno Mar’s – Leave the door open come about?

It was during the Covid times, a friend of mine came to me and said, let's have a go of this. Teddyson John and Taddy P, worked on it and it turned out great, we keep it moving. What advice would you give to young people who want to get into the industry? I would tell them to put God first, have a spiritual connection. Have faith and believe in what they're doing, as well as hard work and dedication. It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice.