Maxim (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maxim
|
|
|---|---|
Maxim on tour in Leeds, 2022
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Keith Andrew Palmer |
| Also known as | Maxim Reality |
| Born | 21 March 1967 Peterborough, England |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | |
 |
|
Keith Andrew Palmer, born on March 21, 1967, is a British musician famous as Maxim. He is best known as a singer for the electronic music band The Prodigy. He used to be known as Maxim Reality.
Contents
Maxim's Early Life and Music Journey
Keith Andrew Palmer was born in Peterborough, England. His parents were from Jamaica. From a young age, he loved writing poetry and song lyrics. Around 14, he started performing as an MC, which means he would rap or chant over music.
His older brother, Hitman, who was also an MC, inspired him a lot. Hitman introduced Maxim to the reggae music scene in Peterborough. When Maxim was 17, he had his first live show in Basingstoke. Later, he teamed up with another musician, Ian Sherman, and they formed a group called 'Maxim and Sheik YanGroove'. They recorded some songs, but they didn't become famous.
Maxim then traveled for three months across Europe and North Africa. When he came back to England, he moved to London. He wanted to get more involved in the music and reggae scene there. His stage name, "Maxim Reality," showed his interest in writing lyrics about real-life topics.
Joining The Prodigy
Maxim lived close to Keith Flint, who was a big fan of Liam Howlett. Keith Flint suggested Maxim to Liam Howlett as a manager because Maxim had experience in the reggae music scene and knew many people in music.
Maxim didn't show up for their first planned meeting. But he surprised them by joining their next live show. He started improvising lyrics on the spot. After that, Maxim became a key part of The Prodigy.
He started adding his lyrics to their studio albums after Experience in 1992. You can hear his voice on the live track "Death of the Prodigy Dancers" from that album. Maxim wrote lyrics for the single "Poison" from Music for the Jilted Generation (1994). He also contributed to "Breathe" and "Mindfields" from The Fat of the Land (1997).
Maxim was not on The Prodigy's album Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned in 2004. Liam Howlett felt the band needed to try new things without Keith Flint or Maxim's vocals. Even though some people thought the band might break up, they didn't. During this time, Maxim worked on his own music. He returned as a singer on the album Invaders Must Die, and the band went back to their original style of working together.
Maxim's Solo Music Projects
After The Prodigy's busy tours for The Fat of the Land, Maxim started working on his own music. In 1998, he released a song called "Dog Day." It was part of a collection of songs called Against the Grain.
Also in 1998, Maxim covered a song by the Rolling Stones called "Factory Girl." This was released on another collection CD. On August 9, 1999, Maxim released an EP (a mini-album) called My Web, which had five songs.
In 2000, Maxim worked with Skin from the band Skunk Anansie on a song called "Carmen Queasy." This song became his most successful solo hit, reaching number 33 on the UK singles chart in June 2000. Maxim released another single, "Scheming," on September 11, 2000, which reached number 53. His first full solo album, Hell's Kitchen, came out on October 2, 2000.
Maxim's second solo album, Fallen Angel, was released in 2005. It had one single, "I Don't Care," but it didn't become a chart hit. This album was available in different versions, including a special limited-edition CD.
Maxim has also performed as a DJ. In 2013, he had his first DJ tour in the United States. He said that DJing was a "completely fresh challenge" for him. It allowed him to play the music he loved and enjoy the freedom of freestyle mixing. Maxim's DJing was inspired by trap music. In 2014, he worked with Cianna Blaze and producer Blaze Billions to create new songs for his DJ sets. They released these songs under the name 'We Are Noize'. Maxim explained that 'We Are Noize' was a "collective" of artists, not a new band.
In September 2019, Maxim signed a special deal with Peermusic for his music publishing. This deal also included a partnership for his own publishing company, "Red Room Arts." In December 2019, Maxim's third solo album, Love More, was released on his Red Room Arts record label.
Maxim's Art Creations
Maxim also creates art using the name MM (Double M). His artworks are mixed media, meaning he uses different materials. These can include things like pills, blades, needles, and bullets.
His first art show was called "Lepidop Terror." It took place in September 2011 at INC Space in London's Covent Garden. You can see some of his artwork online at the Taylor Barnes Gallery.
Maxim has also given his artwork to help raise money for good causes. For example, in 2020, he donated pieces to the "heART & Soul Auction" for "Arms Around the Child." He also contributed to an online anti-racism art show called "United for Change." This show raised money for the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust in the UK and other organizations in the US.
Maxim's Music Releases
Solo Albums
- 2000: Hell's Kitchen (released October 2)
- 2005: Fallen Angel (released March 29)
- 2019: Love More (released December 16)
Solo Singles and EPs
- 1994: Grim Reaper EP (only 500 copies made; white label)
- 1999: "My Web" (released August 9)
- 2000: "Carmen Queasy" (released May 29) – UK #33
- 2000: "Scheming" (released September 11) – UK #53
- 2005: "I Don't Care"
Albums with The Prodigy
- What Evil Lurks (1991)
- Experience (1992)
- Music for the Jilted Generation (1994)
- The Fat of the Land (1997)
- The Dirtchamber Sessions Volume One (1999)
- Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned (2004)
- Their Law: The Singles 1990–2005 (2005)
- Invaders Must Die (2009)
- World's on Fire (2011)
- The Day Is My Enemy (2015)
- No Tourists (2018)
See also
In Spanish: Maxim Reality para niños
