Maxwell capitalized on his breakthrough with the MTV Unplugged EP, taken from his live MTV performance. It attracted attention and acclaim outside the R&B community with the left-field cover choices "This Woman's Work" (by Kate Bush) and "Closer" (by Nine Inch Nails). Additionally, the 'MTV Unplugged' version of "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" earned him another Grammy nomination (for Best Male Pop Vocal). Anticipation for his second full-length album was high, and when Embrya was released in 1998, it entered the charts at number three. Reviews were more mixed this time around, with some critics charging that Maxwell's ambition had crossed the line into indulgence; still, the record duplicated its predecessor's platinum sales.
Maxwell adopted his middle name as his stage moniker, keeping his real identity a closely guarded secret out of concern for his family's privacy. Born of Puerto Rican and black Caribbean stock, Maxwell suffered the loss of his father (in a plane crash) when he was just three years old. The experience made him a deeply religious child, and he first began singing in his Baptist church. Still, he didn't really get serious about music until age 17, when he began writing his own songs using a cheap Casio keyboard given to him by a friend. Initially influenced by early-'80s urban R&B, and drawing his greatest inspiration from the concept of the R&B auteur (looking to artists like Marvin Gaye, Prince, Stevie Wonder). He progressed rapidly, and by 1991 he was performing on the New York club scene, despite ridicule from classmates who couldn't imagine the shy, awkward teenager doing anything of the sort. After making a name for himself, he signed a recording contract with Columbia in 1994.
In 1999, Maxwell scored his biggest hit to date with the single "Fortunate," an R. Kelly composition he recorded for the soundtrack of the film Life; it was a mammoth success, ranking as the number one R&B hit of the year in Billboard magazine. Later that year, he also cut two songs for the soundtrack of The Best Man.
In August 2001, Maxwell returned with his third full-length album, Now, which was touted as a return to the more straightforwardly romantic atmosphere of his debut. It entered the album charts at number one and quickly launched a hit single in "Lifetime." ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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... He eventually got a record deal with Columbia Records in 1994 when he was 21 years old. His loss of his father at the age of three had a great impact on him as a person and as an artist. Maxwell played keyboard in church during his youth; however, he was not aware of his vocal talent during adolescence. His vocal ability was later discovered during a romantic affair which inspired the music for his first music release "Urban Hang Suite." Maxwell was heavily inspired by the work of artists such as Marvin Gaye, Prince, Sade, and lastly Anita Baker who he gives credit to "teaching him how to sing."
After taking several years off, Maxwell released his latest album BLACKsummers'night on July 7, 2009. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Albums Top 200 chart, his second album to receive that ranking. Maxwell said his reason for leaving the music industry for such a long period was "to just take time off. The music industry has so much competition and there was no rush for me.
The follow-up to BLACKsummers'night and the second installment in a planned trilogy, blackSUMMERS'night, is set to be released late 2012 but the exact date is unknown.
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The name "Maxwell" also appears to be used by a hip hop beat producer from Oldenburg, Germany.
Safari
Maxwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, wir gehen auf Safari!
Ah
Lichtjahre gereist, Millionär in Sachen Bonus der Fluggesellschaft
Die Palmen auf Eins, hol’ mir die Plastikawards bei UPS ab
Nicht reinkommen in’n Club war gestern
Guck, wie die Nutten lästern
Du willst sehen wie man das Publikum zerfetzt
Schon wieder Besuch in mein’m Konzert
Vor deinen Freunden am haten
Doch auf Facebook likst du meinen Comment
Erwider deine Fresse nur ein’n Moment
Geh und mach mir ein Omelett
Brauch’ Proteine für’n Fick
Weed für die Bros und Dynamit für die Shows
Lass brennen wie Mephisto
So viele rufen an, ich frag’ sie wer bist du?
Sie spielen den Song in der Disco
Nie wieder Konten im Dispo
Hundertvierzig Grad, es brennt wie Mephisto
Gib dein Handy, du Pičko
Maxwell, ich häng’ mit der Gang in der Disco
Oder danc’ so wie Sisco
In der Fünf-Sterne-Suite im Hotel Monte Cristo
Besoffen, ich stolper’ ins Bistro
Aber fühle mich grad so wie Vitali Klitschko
Und sie sagt, ich bin schizo
Hab mich gestern verliebt, heute frag’ ich, wer bist du?
Baby, wir gehen auf Safari
Komm, wir machen rum Bacardi
Haschisch in meiner Piñata
Afrika Bambaataa sein Vater
Abrakadabra, bin weg nach dem Sex
Es war Maxwell, die Fata Morgana
Lass brennen wie Mephisto
So viele rufen an, ich frag’ sie, wer bist du?
Sie spielen den Song in der Disco
Nie wieder Konten im Dispo
Hundertvierzig Grad, es brennt wie Mephisto
Baby, wir gehen auf Safari
Komm, wir machen rum Bacardi
Baby, wir gehen auf Safari
Komm, wir machen rum Bacardi
Lass brennen wie Mephisto
So viele rufen an, ich frag’ sie, wer bist du?
Sie spiel’n den Song in der Disco
Nie wieder Konten im Dispo
Hundertvierzig Grad, es brennt wie Mephisto
The opening lyrics of Maxwell's song "Safari" set the scene for an exciting, adventurous journey with a partner who is up for anything. The song is all about living life to the fullest, indulging in pleasure, and finding happiness in the moment. The song's chorus repeatedly implores the listener to join the singer on a safari and indulge in rum, Bacardi, and even hashish. These lines suggest an unbridled passion for the moment and taking risks.
The verses are brimming with references to wealth, fame, and excess. The use of "Millionair in Sachen Bonus der Fluggesellschaft" and "Plastikawards bei UPS" reinforces the singer's lavish lifestyle. He rejects the idea of needing bodyguards, saying he can call Marques on his phone, and boasts about his ability to dominate the stage and his audience. The song mentions groupies, haters, and social media, and the confident swagger of the lyrics implies a disregard for rules and the opinions of others. The chorus then repeats the call to action, urging the listener to join the singer on his wild ride.
Overall, "Safari" is a song about living life on one's terms, rejecting conventional expectations of behavior, and embracing the adventurous and exciting parts of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, wir gehen auf Safari!
Hey, let's go on a crazy adventure!
Ah
An expression of excitement or anticipation
Lichtjahre gereist, Millionär in Sachen Bonus der Fluggesellschaft
I've been traveling far and wide, earning elite status and big rewards from airlines
Die Palmen auf Eins, hol’ mir die Plastikawards bei UPS ab
I'm living the high life, picking up my trophy awards and such
Nicht reinkommen in’n Club war gestern
I'm so popular now that I can get into any club without a problem
Guck, wie die Nutten lästern
People might gossip and talk behind my back, but I don't care
Brauch’ keine Bodyguards, gib mir ein Handy ich ruf’ eben kurz Marques an
I don't need bodyguards, I have connections and can call a friend if I need help
Du willst sehen wie man das Publikum zerfetzt
I'm a master at performing and can really get the crowd going
Schon wieder Besuch in mein’m Konzert
I'm so popular that people always want to come see me perform
Vor deinen Freunden am haten
Even if people talk negatively about me, I still have fans and supporters
Doch auf Facebook likst du meinen Comment
Even those who say negative things about me might still acknowledge me on social media
Erwider deine Fresse nur ein’n Moment
I might talk back or clap back at critics or haters, but I don't dwell on it
Geh und mach mir ein Omelett
I want some protein and ask someone to make me an omelette
Brauch’ Proteine für’n Fick
I need energy to have sex
Weed für die Bros und Dynamit für die Shows
I smoke weed with my friends and put on explosive, dynamic performances
Lass brennen wie Mephisto
Let's party hard and have a great time
So viele rufen an, ich frag’ sie wer bist du?
I get so many calls and messages from people, I have to ask them who they are
Sie spielen den Song in der Disco
My music is so popular that you can hear it playing in clubs and parties
Nie wieder Konten im Dispo
I never have to worry about overdrawing my bank account again
Hundertvierzig Grad, es brennt wie Mephisto
I'm feeling hot and wild, like a crazy inferno
Gib dein Handy, du Pičko
Give me your phone, you jerk
Maxwell, ich häng’ mit der Gang in der Disco
I'm hanging out with my crew in the club
Oder danc’ so wie Sisco
I might dance like Sisqo, the famous singer
In der Fünf-Sterne-Suite im Hotel Monte Cristo
I'm staying in a luxurious hotel suite
Besoffen, ich stolper’ ins Bistro
I'm drunk and stumbling into a bistro
Aber fühle mich grad so wie Vitali Klitschko
I feel powerful and strong, like Vitali Klitschko, the boxer
Und sie sagt, ich bin schizo
Some people might say I'm crazy or unpredictable
Hab mich gestern verliebt, heute frag’ ich, wer bist du?
I might fall in love easily, but also lose interest quickly
Komm, wir machen rum Bacardi
Let's have some drinks and get wild
Haschisch in meiner Piñata
I might have some drugs stashed away in a piñata
Afrika Bambaataa sein Vater
I'm paying homage to Afrika Bambaataa, a famous musician
Abrakadabra, bin weg nach dem Sex
After having sex, I might disappear suddenly
Es war Maxwell, die Fata Morgana
People might think they're seeing things or experiencing an illusion when they're around me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hamudi Hoteit, Raphael Ragucci, Maxwell Schaden, John-Lorenz Moser, Mohamad Hoteit
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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