If you were around in 1990, you couldn't escape it. That silky, high-tenor voice singing "Close to You" was everywhere—from car radios in Brooklyn to clubs in London and beach bars in Montego Bay. It wasn't just a hit; it was a cultural shift. Most people know Maxi Priest as the guy who made reggae "polite" enough for the pop charts, but honestly, that’s a massive oversimplification.
He didn't just stumble into the charts.
Max Alfred Elliott, the man the world calls Maxi Priest, was actually a carpenter first. Imagine that. One of the most successful British reggae artists in history started out building speaker boxes for the legendary Saxon Studio International sound system. He wasn't even the designated singer; he was the guy making sure the bass didn't rattle the wood apart.
The Saxon Secret and the Birth of Lovers Rock
To understand why Maxi Priest is still a powerhouse in 2026, you've got to look at the London reggae scene of the early 1980s. It was gritty. It was loud. It was dominated by "chatting" (rapping) rather than singing. Maxi was the anomaly. He brought a gospel-infused soulfulness that he picked up from his mother, a staunch missionary who led the choir in their Pentecostal church.
He was basically the bridge.
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While others were focused on heavy political "roots" reggae, Maxi leaned into Lovers Rock. It was a softer, more romantic style that resonated with the UK's Caribbean diaspora. In 1984, he co-produced "Mi God Mi King" with Paul "Barry Boom" Robinson. That track was a game-changer—it was the first UK-produced reggae tune to hit number one in Jamaica. Think about the weight of that for a second. A kid from Lewisham, South London, taking the crown in the birthplace of the genre.
Breaking the Billboard Ceiling
You've likely heard the stats, but they're worth repeating because they’re rare. Maxi Priest is one of only two British reggae acts—the other being UB40—to ever score a number one hit on the American Billboard Hot 100.
- Wild World (1988): His cover of the Cat Stevens classic. It was the song he supposedly didn't even want to record, yet it became his international calling card.
- Close to You (1990): This wasn't just a song; it was a production masterclass featuring members of Soul II Soul. It spent 20 weeks on the charts.
- Set the Night to Music (1991): A duet with the legendary Roberta Flack.
- That Girl (1996): His collaboration with Shaggy that proved he could adapt to the burgeoning dancehall-pop era without breaking a sweat.
The thing about Maxi is his versatility. He’s worked with everyone from Sly & Robbie to Jazzie B and even Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir, who recently interpolated "Close to You." He doesn't hold onto "the old days" with a death grip. He moves.
What Most People Get Wrong About His "Hiatus"
There’s this weird narrative that Maxi Priest disappeared after the 90s. He didn't. He just changed the way he worked. He became a "reggae alchemist," as some critics call him, blending styles that shouldn't work on paper.
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In 2020, he released United State of Mind, a collaborative album with blues-rock guitarist Robin Trower and producer Livingstone Brown. It was unexpected. It was moody. It sounded nothing like "Close to You," and that was the point. More recently, in 2024 and 2025, he’s been dropping singles like "Feel So Alive" and "Pure Good Vibes," proving that at 64, his vocal range hasn't lost an inch of its "velvet" quality.
He’s also been heavily involved in the Jamaica Strong movement. After Hurricane Melissa hit the island, Maxi was one of the first to sign onto benefit concerts to rebuild homes and hospitals. He’s a guy who actually shows up.
Why He’s Still Relevant in 2026
The music industry is currently obsessed with "fusion." Whether it's Afrobeats mixing with R&B or Latin Trap hitting the pop charts, everyone is trying to find that middle ground. Maxi Priest was the blueprint.
He's currently working on a new project that reportedly explores his Rastafarian roots more deeply while maintaining that "transatlantic" soul sound. He lives between Jamaica and the UK, acting as a sort of elder statesman for artists like Skip Marley, who recently paid homage to him with the single "Close."
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Maxi Priest didn't just survive the transition from vinyl to streaming; he thrived because he never let himself be boxed into a single category. He once said his art isn't just reggae or R&B—his art is singing.
Staying Connected with the Legend
If you want to dive deeper into the current state of British Reggae or catch the "Priest" in action, here’s what you need to do:
- Check the 2026 Tour Dates: He’s frequently headlining festivals like Rototom Sunsplash and specialized reggae cruises. His live show is notoriously high-energy compared to his smooth studio recordings.
- Listen to "Easy to Love": If you only know the 90s hits, go back to this 2014 album. It’s a masterclass in modern Lovers Rock.
- Watch the Documentaries: Keep an eye out for recent archival releases from the Saxon Studio days; they show the raw, unpolished talent that existed before the big label polish.
Maxi Priest is a reminder that you don't have to shout to be heard. Sometimes, a whisper and a steady rhythm are enough to change the world.
Next Steps for Music Fans:
You can explore the full evolution of British Reggae by listening to the Saxon Studio International archives on various streaming platforms to hear Maxi's early, raw "live" sets from the early 80s. Alternatively, track his 2026 performance schedule through his official website to see how he continues to bridge the gap between classic Lovers Rock and modern fusion.