Might be a stupid question but is he popular now or in the late 90's. I think musically he was better back then but I like him more right now.

I think he has the same level of popularity. His fan base has been super patient, and very accepting to him after all this time. Let's not be too quick to judge him now, musically, compared to then. He did 3 albums, plus an unplugged back then. Remember that he has one album out right now, and has two more due in 2010, and 2011 (1 for each year); a trilogy of blacksummer'snight music, each album being different than the other, but similar in overall feel. I loved him from day one. He just struck something in me. He had this organic, real, soulful, velvety, warm feeling to his voice and music. He seemed approachable, yet mysterious. Talented, yet humble.

Overall.....he's maintained his popularity, his musicality, his voice, and his mojo. There's just a big gaping 7 year block of nothing in there. In some ways, that worked to his favor. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

ernestsewell said:

Well recently I went back and brought his old albums which were more creative back then but I'm more a fan now for some reason(I'm a fan of blacksummernights I seen alot on here that don't like it). I think he has more a mainstream audience now but I could be wrong.
[Edited 1/21/10 13:42pm]

babybugz said:

You're right. He does have a bit more of a mainstream audience. There's something to be said about that, because when he was out before, he was in the same business as boy bands and pop princesses dominating the charts and airwaves. But when he came back in 2009, there was an evident gap in musicality and great artists out there. He became the relief to that, opposed to falling between the cracks in the midst of manufactured nonsense.

We don't even have the boy bands to fill some (or BE the) vapid pop gap at this point. There's just NOTHING out there. Maxwell coming back in 2009 was so perfect. It was all coincidental, but it worked. (Remember that BSN was due to be 08/09/10 release, but was pushed back to 09/10/11 because he wasn't quite ready yet.) The mainstream wants real stuff, and Maxwell is finding a new audience because of that, as well as retaining his past audience.

I'm waiting to make a full judgment until I hear the full trilogy of albums. The first was a bit dark, but the second is supposed to be more joyful and upbeat. I'm anxious to continue the journey.

ernestsewell said:

That is true

Now because of less competition.

Hopefully after the Grammys he has an even bigger fanbase.

Fuck the "less competition" thing, D'Angelo and Lauryn Hill need to be scared of Maxwell.

Nick715 said:

D'angelo and Hill are OVA.

I can't quantify it but I feel like he is probably the same level of popularity. I feel like he carried his loyal fanbase through the years hiatus, and is maintaing them after the release of Black. Even folks like me, who weren't in love with the new album are still looking forward to the next ones. I think he just has those kinds of fans. I don't however, feel like he has picked up a large new audience. I could be wrong, but just anecdotally, I'll say most folks who I have mentioned Maxwell to who were not black and 30-45 had no clue who I was talking about.
[Edited 1/21/10 18:08pm]

I never thought Embrya got the credit it deserved. During my married years, it was the easiest way to end and argument and get back to the fun stuff.

To answer the question, I think he saw a slight rise in popularity. He seems to get more radio play now than I remember him getting back in the late 90's, though that could likely be due to where I am now and where I was living then.
[Edited 1/21/10 20:56pm]

FauxReal said:

Embrya is the shit!

I think he had more "true fans" in the past (people who loved the music). I think he has more fans and is more popular now (people who love the branding and image). Columbia has pumped money into this project so he has better marketing.

ernestsewell said:

I definitely agree.

BlaqueKnight said:

That's a positive sign

Sony saw the buzz surrounding when Pretty Wings was posted on his myspace and realized he has a loyal following backed up by the stellar sales of the new album. I think that's what made them invest more in his career and we see the result through more exposure. Just like when they almost gave up on his debut album and after it dropped, BAM!, they opened their eyes.