Max-A-Million

Max-A-Million
Origin	Jamaica
Genres	Electronica Hip hop Reggae Rock Pop
Years active	1995-Current
Members
Durand Maxamillian Estevez

Early Life

Durand Maxamillian Estev`ez [es te be] was born on April 1 in the Black Woods of Clarendon in May Pen Jamaica, West Indies. As a youth, Max lived not only in the Yard but also in the Brixton community of Birmingham, London, England. As a teen, he lived between New York’s Bedfordsty community in Brooklyn and Derbytown in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended school at the Youth Performing Arts School in New York and studied in the advanced program at Juilliard School of Music. The ethnic and cultural diversity that surrounded him greatly influenced what would become his future international signature sound and musical talent. Being surrounded by the social elite and the creators of a new sound called Hip Hop also gave Max-A-Million the vehicle he needed to take that new sound around the world.

Family Ties Give Rise to an International Artist

His father, Roman Estevez was one of New York City’s top import and exporter and club owners. As owner of Roxy NYC, a roller rink turned club in the late 80’s, Roman gave many of Hip Hop’s and Reggae’s up and coming artists a chance to be heard by the international elite. One of the Roxy’s many claims to fame is the filming of Hip Hop’s cult classics Beat Street and Krush Groove1. This exposure allowed Max, known in the underground Hip Hop and Dancehall mixtape scene as Madd Max or Max-A-Million, to open up many shows for the music industry’s top Hip Hop and Reggae artists of the time.

Street Credits

New York City’s most influential music movers and shakers supported and mentored Max-A-Million. DJ Red Alert would often spin Max-A-Million on New York’s Hot 97 Kiss FM. He acquired a taste for the production arena with projects for K.R.S-1/Mad Lion [“got to take it easy”] and The Jungle Brothers [a remix for I’ll House You]. He set up residence with Africa Bambatta’s camp and collaborated with Just Ice, Kool Herc, Heavy D, Busta Rhymes, Shabba Ranks, Lost Boyz, and the Wu Tang Clan.

Chicago House finds a whole new sound in Max-A-Million

In the late 80’s to early 90’s, Max-A-Million moved to Chicago, IL. He started collaborating with the Label DJ International. DJ International is famous for being one of the original labels that placed Chicago House music within the international scene and introduced the world to Club and House music. Max spent his time there collaborating with some of the most influential artists in House and Club music. He wrote, produced and arranged for Kool Rock Steady [Africa Bambatta’s camp], DJ Mike Dunn, Bad Boy Bill, Creig Loftis, Joe Smooth, Jumpin Julian Perez, Martin Boogieman Luna, Fast Eddie, Sundance, Tyree Cooper, felix daHOUSE CAT, Harrison Crump, Liddell Townson, Manfred Mohr (20 Fingers), Roy Davis Jr., and Murice Joshua.(See Discography) Under the watchful eye of House music ambassadors Rocky Jones and Hazel Zoletta [Tommy Boy Records], the queen of promotions and radio, Max-A-Million would release several singles within the Dance, Hip House, Hip Hop, and Reggae Dance genres. Working with the best in the industry, he also credits these artists as mentors and having had great influence with his musical career: Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor, King Tubby, King Sporty, Gregory Isaccs, Calypso Rose, Peter Tosh, Chuck Chillout, Saefu Seldwin Hinds, Marley Marl, Afrika Bambata, Joe Smooth, Busta Rymes, Prince Markey Dee, Heavy Dee, Just Ice, and Munta Barrukka to name a few. With his innate talent and host collaborations and mentorships by the best in the business, Max-A-Million elevated to star status.

New Sound in a already ground breaking arena.

Max-A-Million cultivated a new sound that would cross over into multiple genres and markets. Although he was verbalizing a Jamaican style of rapping, he infused wailer harmonies over Hip Hop beats, Dance hall rhythms and bass driven dance beats. This infusion became Max-A-Million’s signature sound. It would go on to credit him with awards in over 62 countries and establish him as a brand that would give any company market success and increased industry share.

SOS Records

While in Chicago, Max-A-Million was introduced to Frank Rodrigo. Frank owned and ran a label called SOS Records. He loved Max’s sound and signed him on as a solo artist. Max had success at SOS Records initially. He wrote several novelty singles for SOS Records. “Short Short Man” by Gillette, “Mr. Personality” and “You Gotta Lick it” by Roula are three that brought Max and SOS huge financial success. Max as Max-A-Million also wrote, produced, and arranged singles for himself. He co-wrote “Fat Boy” with a fellow Jamaican country woman, Jasma and reproduced SOS Band’s hit single “Take Your Time” where Jasma is the lead female vocal. Jasma was a world renowned vocalist in her home country of Jamaica. She and Max first met at Juilliard School of Music in New York. Max as Max-A-Million reached Gold and Platinum status in 62 countries with his first album with SOS Records, “Take Your Time”. Contract differences between Jasma and Frank Rodrigo left Max-A-Million no female vocalist for his world wide tour. Frank enlisted Alisa B, born Wille Mae Baker, as the tour female vocalist and Tommy E.to round out the sound. Max and Jasma sang all of the vocals for the recorded tracks. Because of Jasma’s contract dispute with Frank and Max’s physical inability to sing lead and background vocals during the tour, Max agreed to have Alisa B and Tommy join the tour under the name Max-A-Million. Events occurring during the tour created tension and then the separation of Max from Alisa B, Tommy E and Frank Rodrigo/SOS Records. For further information, please see Aurther Gold and Assoc or Max-A-Million v. S.O.S. Records/Frank Rodrigo. David Garfinkle/E.I.P. Group Max Management Team ([e-mail]) was the representing attorney. In the end, Max-A-Million won his suit against S.O.S. Records for copywrite infringement and fraud. He was awarded a monetary settlement, back pay on royalties and the right of ownership of all of the masters to anything released, produced, written or demoed by Max. The suit also established Maxamillian as the legitimate name of the solo singer, Max-A-Million, Durand Estev`ez.

Creating in the Midst of a Storm

Max as Max-A-Million, continued to write, produce and arrange music during his legal battle with S.O.S. Records. Having signed with label B,M.G., he fulfilled his 2 album deal and released his second album, Revisted. Singles from this album also brought him commercial success. “Sweet Bon Bon”, first released on the radio airwaves by Radio Irie F.M., and “Sexual Healing”, a remake by Marvin Gaye, are known all around the world. Max-A-Million continued to tour throughout all of Europe, Asia, Africa, the South Pacific Islands, Italy, Canada and Japan. In Japan, he travelled with Def Jam’s Comedy Jamz and Pierre, the promoter. While on tour, he discovered Tanetta Ford. She toured with Max-A-Million for a year and then signed to a major gospel label. Max then toured with the legendary James Brown and the Soul Power Posse. He produced a remake for “Hot Pants” for the never released James Brown Tribute album and continued to produce for various artists within the industry – Bran Van 3000, James Desalvio, Do or Die/Neighborhood Watch Records, Psycho Drama’s NewSense, remixes for Aliya for Chocolate City, and The Legendary Drifters. Max-a-million headlined and performed with other top recorded artists such as Backstreet Boys, Monica, Brandy, Coolio, Queen Latifah, Jodeci, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound, Biggie Smalls, M.A.C.E., Mary J. Blige and Deborah Cox...

Awards and Commercial Success

Max-A-Million has won and been nominated for awards in 62 countries. He received nominations from the Grammys, Juno Awards and World Music Awards (Best Crossover Song of the Year) for the dancehall version of “Sexual Healing”. World Reggae Music nominations 3 years on a row, Crossover Producer ASCAP Writer Award nomination are also to his credit along with 2 World Reggae Music (Crossover Producer of the Year), 3 Juno Crossover Cover Song awards, and Japan awards. From voiceovers to narratives to commercial music production, Max-A-Million can be heard on many international commercials, animations, within gaming, films, TV programs, and world attractions. He is the voice of Sebastian the crab from the Walt Disney movie “The Little Mermaid” in Disney Land Japan, Los Angeles, and Orlando, Florida. His music can be heard in many of Namco’s gaming systems, radio streaming through Jamaica Air, Hawaiian Air and Lufstansa Air, as well as within tourism jingles like the “Welcome to Jamaica” commercials which help his homeland Jamaica increase GDP through tourism sales. With several Public Service Announcements, jingles and games under his belt, Max-A-Million is certainly a commercial success. [ See commercial discography below for a listing of his work.]

Awards 

• He has received two top awards and several nominations in the 16th, 17th and 18th Annual Chicago Music Awards for "Pop Recording Artist of the Year" and "Best Reggae Album/CD of the Year", featuring the 20 fingers production "Fat Boy".

• He also has received nominations in the 16th Annual Reggae and World Music Awards in "Best Crossover Song" for his platinum hit "Sexual Healing", a Max version of Marvin Gaye's classic hit, as well as for "Best Music Video" for "Take your Time" another platinum hit, and "Best New Entertainer" and "Song writer of the Year".

• Max-A-million has received recognition from Barry White in an article in Details Magazine about the song "Sexual Healing". Indeed, Barry White said he "(...) loved the way this guy blended reggae, R&B, and hip-hop, and Marvin Gaye would have loved it too."

• Juno Award Nominee for "Fat Boy"

• Grammy Award Nominee for "Sexual Healing"

Discography Albums

Studio

Max-A-Million [SOS Records] Take Your Time

Singles

Max-A-Million [SOS Records] “Fat Boy”

“Take Your Time” “Sexual Healing”

Big Sister “Round and Round We Go”

Gillette [SOS Records] “Short Short Man”

Roula [SOS Records] “You Gotta Lick It”

Compilations

Thunder Over the Carribean feat. Beenie Mon, Sizzla, Lady Saw, T.O.K., Shaggy

Gyptian: Hold Yuh (DJ Delerious Megamix) feat. Elephant Man, Lady Saw, Max-A-Million, Sean Paul, and Nikki Minaj

Coca Cola International (Coke and Sprite)

20 Fingers Greatest Hits 1,2,3, and 4

Commercial Discography

Gaming

Namco Gaming [Japan] - Tekken

Brash Entertainment - Pablo Escobar

Television and Film

Telemundo [Spain and Mexico] - Mi Lillte Conchullas

TV Azteca

Ballywood

Voice Overs

Disney Land [Japan; Los Angeles, CA; Orlando, FL] - Sebastian the Crab

Jingles

Mc Donald’s World Corp - “I’m Lovin It (Reggae Version)

G.M.C Truck Manufacturers - Instrumental Music

Jamaican Tourism Consulate ”Welcome to Jamaica” (remix of Bob Marley’s “Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright”)

Berkshire Hathaway - Geico Commercial

Music Production

Cirque Du Soleil [Japan; Europa] - Mystique

Jesse White Tumblers - “Got to Work It’

Coca Cola International (Coke and Sprite) - Compilation CD

Boeing Radio - Jamaican Air, Hawaiian Air, Lufstansa Air

B. Cole [1] - “I’m in Love with a Crack Head”

Michael Winslow - “Noiseativity “Noiseativity

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