Maxim

After finishing his studies, German pop singer Maxim launched his musical career by performing with multiple groups before eventually basing himself in Cologne. There he connected with Teka, who would serve as his longtime producer. Drawing strong inspiration from reggae rhythms and aesthetics, Maxim joined forces with the Cologne-based roots label Rootdown Records for the release of his self-titled debut album in 2005. Thanks to his smooth voice and sunny beats, the project resonated widely and helped him build an audience. He refined this reggae-inflected approach on the 2008 album Rückwärts Fallen, yet shifted toward what he described as urban pop with his 2011 effort Asphalt. His fourth full-length, Staub, arrived in 2013 via the Warner imprint Downbeat Records and marked a major commercial and critical breakthrough, highlighted by the hit single "Meine Soldaten." A live rendition of Staub followed the next year. On his fifth album, 2016's Das Bisschen Was Wir Sind, Maxim further steered his music toward contemporary pop.