[#ACE_ INTERVIEW] #AceWorld Meets C-MAX – by Shayo Grass

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Born in bustling state of Lagos in Nigeria, he always had a passion and interest in music. His most memorable influences are “Top Rap”, “Hip-Hop”, “Hi-life” and “Drum and Bass” artistes across genres over the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. With a passion and zest for the arts, a love for music, Rap, Hip-Hop tunes and after spending some time as a supporting artiste and playing backup roles for other big names, he moved into and continued to write and arrange his own vocals.

He joined the choir at the age of 14, wrote his first song in 1996, recorded his first song in 2000 and hit the Nigerian market with his first single titled “Oya” which was released in 2003 and it made a hit on local radio stations. He’s got features in collaborations with Dougle 6 of [M.I.P], Shailoque, 01, Bj, Horus, Young Dinero and Sain whilst also going on to tour the country with David G in 2009. He’s developed his own niche influenced by big names on the American scene within genres of Hip-Hop, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, Soul and Rap and as he toured, played at gigs and spent more time in the recording studio, he found moments when “the flow was tight, the swag was right…”. He enjoyed these moments, the talent and finally knew there was no stopping him.

Now, he remains ever constantly working to deliver and satisfy his fans worldwide. He knows the Nigerian Hip-hop/Rap scene has grown impressively over the last decade, and the introductions of fresh ideas, talent, new and original vocals are on the menu and top of his agenda. His most recent mission working on “SOLOLOQUIES” is doing well, and he gives big thanks to his fans and his support network.

Shayo Grass of the #ACEWORLD team caught up with C-Max via a bbm convo and we got to learn a lot from this man as he talked about his music career, his record label, and also gave us some hints on his future jobs… ENJOY the conversation below!!!

***Chat Begins***

Participants:

Shayo Grass, C-Max
Messages:

Shayo Grass:
Okay
U ready?

C-Max:
Yap

Shayo Grass:
Yaaaay!!!
Hello Mr. C-Max

C-Max:
Hi Shayo

Shayo Grass:
First of all I’d like to thank you for allowing us have you – lol

C-Max:
Thank u too
For having me

Shayo Grass:
I think your fans would be eager to know…what your birth name is

C-Max:
Ok
My name if Maxwell Chibuzor Okoh

Shayo Grass:
Cool!!!
How long have you been in the music sector?

C-Max:
Been singing for about 15yrs now

Shayo Grass:
Oh wow..You started in church?

C-Max:
Yap
Different choirs and coral groups

Shayo Grass:
How did you get noticed and then signed?

C-Max:
I got noticed while playing in a gospel concert back in 1996
It was a youth program

Shayo Grass:
Who noticed you?

C-Max:
A music director
Then he asked me to join his band

Shayo Grass:
Nice, how did that lead you to getting signed?

C-Max:
From there, we started touring the country
And I started to evolve in the style of music I was playing
Then in 2000 I recorded my first demo
And after 2yrs, I release my first single
Then I got a deal

Shayo Grass:
Wow that’s quite a journey…
How would you describe your work ethic???

C-Max:
Am more like a perfectionist
The goal is always my focus
So whatever has to be done will be done

Shayo Grass:
Mmm so you believe in working smart rather than working hard?

C-Max:
“Hard work pays but working with direction produces optimum result”

Shayo Grass:
Interesting
what percentage of your life is music compared to other things?

C-Max:
Hehehehe!!! 100%
Singing makes me focused
It made a different person

Shayo Grass:
Wow!!!

C-Max:
Sensitive

Shayo Grass:
So you’re a full time singer?

C-Max:
Yes I am

Shayo Grass:
Passion….pure passion
So what are your plans for 2012?

C-Max:
Well my songs are absolutely rich in music
So I plan to use this as a tool to affecting people in a big way *…* positively
And hope to drop my album this year as well

Shayo Grass:
Should our anticipation be focused on the first or second half of the year?

C-Max:
Well my label [Afam Fiasco]  has so many plans for the album so I can’t say exactly when – But definitely dropping this year

Shayo Grass:
Tell us a little bit about Afam Fiasco

C-Max:
Afam Fiasco is a Canadian Record Company

Shayo Grass:
Are they genre specific?

C-Max:
No they aren’t
If you’ve got styles and they feel you then “boom”, you are on the team

Shayo Grass:
Cool, I was listening to your single titled “Tene” and I got a little curious about what might have inspired it

C-Max:
Well it wasn’t planned
I was in a studio with one of my friends – Ralph Akalli

Shayo Grass:
Oh yeah???

C-Max:
He is about one of the biggest producers and a strong name in advertising [Sound Designing] and he’s the one who produced “If Love Is A Crime” for 2face Idibia

Shayo Grass:
Nice!!!

C-Max:
And he does almost all the jingles for “Glo”, “Star”, “Star Quest”, “Maltina Dance Hall”, etc
Then he said he wanted me to write an Urban Naija song
And he got on his piano and the rest is history

Shayo Grass:
So exciting!!! Should we expect a video for it anytime soon?

C-Max:
Yes
In about a month from now, the video would be shot

Shayo Grass:
Can’t wait!!!

C-Max:
Preparation is being put in place

Shayo Grass:
When is your major music tour going to be?

C-Max:
Hehehe, sure will be a phase-setter, best believe that
About October
The reason the label travelled to Canada to put everything in place for it

Shayo Grass:
What Cities will you be reaching?

C-Max:
I have been given the details yet

Shayo Grass:
You haven’t?

C-Max:
But for sure cities nearest you!!!

Shayo Grass:
Lol okay cool – we’ll watch this space!!!
Do you have role models in the Nigerian Music Industry and if so, who are they?

C-Max:
Thanks
I love soul
I love rich musical sounds
So some artist sure got me big time
From the oldies, I love Orlando Owor
I loved Fela of course, and that because I have a strong feeling for jazz – Afro beat to me is African Jazz
Modern artist – I like Faze – Not because he is my name-sake, but the soul in his music gets through to me

Shayo Grass:
Fela is quite an icon world-wide

C-Max:
Fela is quite an icon indeed because asides the rich, his music brought to light the struggles of Nigerians @ that point in time.
So he just wasn’t an artist but a human right activist as well
I like Banky-W as well

Shayo Grass:
Mmmm
Yes sir!!!

C-Max:
I also do like Wande Coal. Some gospel artist in Nigeria as so amazing

Shayo Grass:
Have these artists formed who you are as C-Max or confirmed who you are as C-Max?

C-Max:
Not yet
The new C-Max for sure will speak volume and every other person will be forced to
For sure

Shayo Grass:
Mmmm, very nice
What advise do you have for upcoming artists stuck in the race to get to the top?

C-Max:
Believe in what you do
Believe in yourself
But first of all, study the trade

Shayo Grass:
Very true

C-Max:
Then get relevant material to help you up the fire

Shayo Grass:
Yeah
Well, wow…thank you so much for your time
I really appreciate you taking this time out for your fans

C-Max:
Thank you for sharing this moment with me *…*

Shayo Grass:
:D

***Chat Ends***

Now, you’ve heard it all for yourselves.

The drums have been rolled, the cymbals hit and the carpet rolled out. Now watch C-Max roll out. You rocked great songs from C-Max in 2010 having dropped massive singles that rocked the internet, radio, and several mix tapes across countries just to mention a few. All these achievements made in 2011 opened greater opportunities for the R&B sensation. C-Max signed a record deal worth $70,000.00 with a Canadian-based Record Company going by the name of Afiasco Entertainment and immediately, the project kicked off with several Media Publications, TV [Galaxy TV, Nigezie, STV, and more], Magazines [Encomium Magazine, City People, Global Excel Magazine] and Radios… So much has been put in place by Afiasco Entertainment for C-Max to rock the big times in 2012. Off the debut album comes the first 2 singles on rotation – #Tene, produced by Teekay Witty and #Amazing which features Spy-da-Man, produced by Chubb Clef.

The shock wave is on!!!

C-Max – TENE – EXCLUSIVE #ACEWORLD DOWNLOAD

C-Max ft. SpyDaMan – AMAZING – EXCLUSIVE #ACEWORLD DOWNLOAD