Maxwell Gets Raw With ‘Help Somebody’

One of 2009’s most noteworthy musical moments was the return of soulful crooner Maxwell after being away from the spotlight for eight years. The Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter, whose critically-acclaimed album BLACKsummers’night is quickly closing in on platinum status after debuting last year with 316,000 copies its first week, has enjoyed a strong comeback with the hit tracks “Pretty Wings” and “Bad Habits.”

But for his third single “Help Somebody,” the usually romantic Maxwell took a more socially conscious approach to the music. “It’s all about being a humanitarian,” he explained to VIBE about the song, which also features hip-hop icon Nas on the remix. “It’s probably one of the dirtiest records, in terms of sound, that I ever made; there’s a blues-gospel feel to it.”

The singer also credits his personal growth for his ability to pull off such a serious-minded statement, something he says he was incapable of doing when he first came on the scene with his 1996 neo-soul classic Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite.

“I don’t think my records would have sounded as raw back then,” Maxwell continues. “Living life helps make the music better.” ––Keith Murphy