Singers Sweet Isaacs and Gramps Morgan (centre) share a light-weight second with Maxi Priest after the latest Reggae Gold Awards. (Picture: Karl Mclarty)
Multi-Grammy-nominated reggae singer Maxi Priest says, even after near 4 a long time within the music trade, he’s nonetheless shocked by his successes.
Talking with the Jamaica Observer in a latest interview, the Near You singer says he feels blessed to have gained a degree of worldwide recognition that has cemented his place among the many icons of reggae music.
“ what, I by no means may have dreamt this. I’m so completely happy that as a younger man who grew up in England that I’ve been ready to take action a lot with the music,” he stated. “It’s troublesome to place what you’re feeling into phrases, as a result of it’s been such a sentimental, non secular journey that has given me a sense of accomplishment that to seek out phrases, wouldn’t even do it justice. It’s been a magical journey.”
Maxi Priest scored his breakthrough hit some 30 years in the past with Wild World, a report that made its option to #25 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 and #5 on the UK Singles chart.
The artiste was not too long ago honored by the Authorities with a particular award on the 2025 Reggae Gold Awards and instructed the Observer that, though his success nonetheless leaves him in a spot of awe, he was all the time decided to make his mark in music.
“I used to be a really decided youth and, from day one, I walked with God and within the religion that I may depart a legacy on this enterprise and God has been nice,” he stated indicating that he nonetheless has extra work to do,” he stated.
“The mission isn’t full but, and so I’ve extra music to provide. I’m really within the technique of getting some new music collectively, entire heap a music. I’ve a tune out with Bugle in the meanwhile that’s doing effectively and this yr, there can be much more,” the artiste continued.
Maxi Priest has obtained Greatest Reggae Album Grammy nominations for Fe Actual (1994), Man with the Enjoyable (1997), and It All Comes Again to Love (2020).
He stated that the Reggae Gold Awards was a wonderful manufacturing that’s lengthy overdue.
“It’s about time. One thing like this was means overdue. We’re at a good place in our native music historical past [and] these sorts of productions can solely get higher with assist,” he stated.
Maxi Priest
