Charmayne Maxena Maxwell (January 11, 1969 – February 28, 2015[1]), professionally known as Maxee, was a Guyana-born American singer–songwriter. In the mid 1990s, Maxwell came to prominence as a member of the female R&B trio Brownstone.
Maxee | |
|---|---|
 Maxwell in 2001 | |
| Born | Charmayne Maxena Maxwell January 11, 1969 |
| Died | February 28, 2015 (aged 46) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1994–2015 |
Career edit
Maxwell found fame in the mid 1990s after she formed the group Brownstone with singers Monica "Mimi" Doby and Nicci Gilbert. After an a cappella audition, the trio were signed to Michael Jackson's Epic Records-distributed imprint, MJJ Music.[2] The band released their debut album From the Bottom Up in 1995 which earned a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their top ten hit single "If You Love Me."[2] After going through the first of a few lineup switches and the release of their commercially less successful second album Still Climbing (1997), the trio disbanded.[2]
Following the disbandment of Brownstone, Maxwell moved to London and signed with Mercury Records in 2000 to pursue a solo career.[1] Her solo debut single "When I Look Into Your Eyes" spawned a remix by producer Fred Jerkins III and peaked at number 55 on the UK Singles Chart.[3] Follow-up "This Is Where I Wanna Be" failed to chart.[3] Its commercial underperformance led to the cancellation of Maxwell's same-titled solo album.[4][5]
Death edit
On February 28, 2015, Maxwell died after an accident in Los Angeles.[2] The singer was at her home when she fell and cut her throat on a drinking glass that shattered during the fall.[2] She died shortly afterwards in a hospital, aged 46.[2]
Personal life edit
Maxwell was married to Danish record producer Carsten Schack from duo Soulshock and Karlin.[1] The couple had a son, Nicholas Hojer.[2]
Discography edit
Singles edit
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [6] |
US R&B [6] |
UK [3] | ||||||||||||
| 2001 | "When I Look Into Your Eyes" | — | — | 55 | non-album releases | |||||||||
| "This Is Where I Wanna Be" | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
References edit
- ^ a b c Bobb, Maurice (March 1, 2015). "Charmayne Maxwell, Member Of '90s Group Brownstone, Died In Mysterious Fall". MTV News. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kennedy, Gerrick D. (March 2, 2015). "Charmayne 'Maxee' Maxwell of Brownstone fame dies at 46". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ a b c "UK Charts > Maxee". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ "Musiq Sounds Better With Maxee". NME. January 29, 2001. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ "Maxee Goes To The UK For Solo Launch". Billboard. March 10, 2001. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ a b "Maxee". Allmusic. Retrieved September 24, 2020.