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

(1969-01-11)January 11, 1969
DiedFebruary 28, 2015(2015-02-28) (aged 46)
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Children1
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active1994–2015
Formerly ofBrownstone

Career

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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

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On February 28, 2015, Maxwell died after an accident in Los Angeles.[2] She 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

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Maxwell was married to Danish record producer Carsten Schack from duo Soulshock and Karlin.[1] The couple had a son, Nicholas Hojer.[2]

Discography

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Singles

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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

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  1. ^ a b c Bobb, Maurice (March 1, 2015). "Charmayne Maxwell, Member Of '90s Group Brownstone, Died In Mysterious Fall". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 9, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c "UK Charts > Maxee". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "Musiq Sounds Better With Maxee". NME. January 29, 2001. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "Maxee Goes To The UK For Solo Launch". Billboard. March 10, 2001. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Maxee". Allmusic. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
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