Koby Maxwell, (born 25 November 1978, as Maxwell Koby Okwensy) is a Ghanaian musician,[1] singer, actor[2] and producer[3][4] who currently resides in Washington, D.C., in the United States. He says that his goal is to maintain the authenticity of African music, while incorporating the sounds of others.[5] In June 2010, he became a film producer and executive producer when he hired a US film production company to produce his first Nollywood[6] feature film, entitled Paparazzi Eye in the Dark.[7][8][9]
Koby Maxwell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maxwell Koby Okwensy 5 November 1978 Ghana |
| Occupation(s) | Recording artist, producer, actor, singer |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Website | kobymaxwellproductions |
In 2016, he started producing a show on the North American TV channel ABC2 called Nollyhot TV which was first aired on 6 January that year. The show captures happenings within the Nigerian entertainment industry of Nollywood for an American audience. Nollyhot TV is also broadcast on the DCW 50 and The CW television channels in the USA.[10] Koby Maxwell Productions in association with Lafa Media & Zealmatic Pictures also came out with a 2019 movie titled The Wrong One.[11]
Family and early life
editKoby Maxwell is the oldest of six children. Since arriving in America in 2000, he has performed in prominent places such as the Kennedy Center and the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. He has shared the stage with artists including Nancy Wilson, Chaka Khan and Dionne Warwick. In August 2006, he performed with reggae star Sean Paul, Barrington Levy, Sanchez, Ziggy and Stephen Marley, Bunny Wailer and Salif Keita[12][13] at Reggae on the River. Maxwell also gained additional recognition as a key performer in Detroit's 21st African World Festival.[14]
Discography
edit| Year | Album | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Praise The Lord | Artist | |
| 2005 | Flying with the Lord | Artist | |
| 2007 | I'm Aware[15] | Artist | |
| Step to the Top | Artist | with Veeda, DJ Tasouman | |
| 2008 | Hope Alive Movie Soundtrack | Artist | Starring Desmond Elliot |
| 2010 | Busted Life Movie Soundtrack[16] | Artist | Starring Ramsey Nouah |
| 2011 | Paparazzi Eye in the Dark Movie Soundtrack | Artist | Starring Van Vicker, Tchidi Chikeri, Syr Law, Chet Anekwe |
| Do It Album[17] | Artist |
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Paparazzi Eye in the Dark | Mr. Maxx | Producer, actor co-Starring with Van Vicker, Tchidi Chikeri, Syr Law, Chet Anekwe |
| 2012 | Drug Related 3 | Reporter / Detective | Alongside Saint Anger, Holly Anderson, Tammy Barboa |
| 2013 | One Night in Vegas | Pat | Producer, actor co-Starring with Jimmy Jean-Louis, John Dumelo, Michael Blackson, Sarodj Bertin |
| 2018 | Busted Life | Mr. Max | Alongside Ron Bush, Chet Anekwe, Pascal Atuma |
Awards
edit- 2009 Award of Excellence & Outstanding Performer: Next Vision Entertainment
- 2010 Humanitarian Award: Doctors for the Village
- 2010 USA Excellence in African Music: 3G Media[18]
- 2011 Producer Achievement Award: Nollywood USA[19]
- 2013 Best Film in Diaspora NAFCA 2013[20]
- 2013 Favorite Male Artist Nafca 2013[21]
- 2014 Outstanding Entertainer at DD Records
- 2014 DMV African movie producer of the year
- 2015 Caribbean Movie Festival, for achievement in the film industry
References
edit- ^ KobyMaxwell.net. "Official Website of Koby Maxwell". Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ theafricandream.net. "Koby Maxwell acting". Retrieved 23 February 2019.
- ^ IMDB. "Koby Maxwell IMDB". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ theafricandream.net. "Koby Maxwell productions". Retrieved 23 February 2019.
- ^ Upfrontafrica.com. "Koby Maxwell Article". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ PaparazziEyeInTheDark.com. "Official Website for Paparazzi Eye in the Dark". Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ Mightyafrican.blogspot.com. "Question and Answer with Koby Maxwell". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ Blog Talk Radio. "Koby Interview on Blogtalkradio @ 7:30 mark". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ Ghanashowbiz.com. "Koby Maxwell Interview". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ theafricandream.net. "Nollyhot TV". Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- ^ theafricandream.net. "The Wrong One". Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ Theafricanstar.com. "Koby Maxwell Interview". Archived from the original on 12 October 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ Museke.com. "Koby Interview". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ Zulumuzic.net. "Koby Web Interview". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ Ghanamusic.com. "Article on Im Aware song". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ NigeriaMovieNetwork.com. "Busted Life Article and Trailer". Archived from the original on 26 March 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ 3gmediaonline.com. "DO IT on stage". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 3gmediaonline.com. "3G Media Awards". Retrieved 24 March 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ GoldenIcons.com. "Nollywood USA Awards Coverage". Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ^ "Nafca 2013 Award Winners". Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ "2013 Nafca Award Winners". Retrieved 11 December 2013.