Maxwell's Top Ten Hits

Maxwell Celebrates 43rd birthday on May 23, 2016

Born May 23, 1973 in New York City, Maxwell made his recording debut in 1996 with his debut album, Maxwell''s Urban Hang Suite.  All four of his studio albums have been certified at least platinum, including double platinum status for his debut CD. His 1997 live MTV Unplugged album was certified gold.

Maxwell has achieved three gold singles, two number one Billboard RandB hits, and six songs have reached the top of the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary chart. He has collaborated with a diversified list of artists including Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Nas, Twista, and the group Sweetback consisting of members of the band Sade.

His honors include two Grammy Awards, five Soul Train Music Awards, one Billboard Music Award, and one NAACP Image Award.

Here are "Maxwell's Top Ten Hits."

01
of 10

2009 - "Pretty Wings"

Maxwell poses with his award for Best RandB Vocal Performance at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on January 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Dan MacMedan/WireImage

"Pretty Wings" won a Grammy Award for Best Male RandB Vocal Performance and was nominated for a Grammy for Song of the Year, as well as Best RandB Song. It was Maxwell's third gold single, and it reached the top of the Billboard RandB and Urban Contemporary charts in 2009. From Maxwell's fourth studio album, BLACKsummers'night, It remained at the top of the RandB chart for 14 weeks.

02
of 10

1999 - "Fortunate"

Maxwell. Kevin Mazur/WireImage

"Fortunate" won a 1999 Billboard Music Award for RandB Single of the Year, and a Soul Train Music Award for Best RandB/Soul Single, Male. It was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Male RandB Vocal Performance. The song was certified gold, and it was Maxwell's first number one single, staying at the top of the Billboard RandB chart for eight weeks. It was also number one on the Urban Adult Contemporary charts.

"Fortunate" was composed and produced by R. Kelly for the soundtrack of the movie Life starring Eddie Murphy.

03
of 10

1996 - "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)"

Maxwell. Maury Phillips/WireImage

"Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" won a Soul Train Music Award for Best RandB/Soul Single. Male. It was Maxwell's first gold single and it was the second release from his debut album, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite.

04
of 10

2001 - "Lifetime"

Maxwell. Bennett Raglin/Getty Images

From Maxwell's 2001 Now album, "Lifetime" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male RandB Vocal Performance. It reached number five on the Billboard RandB chart.

05
of 10

1997 - "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever"

Maxwell. George De Sota/Newsmakers

From Maxwell's 1997 MTV Unplugged album, "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

06
of 10

1997 - "This Woman's Work"

Roberta Flack performing with Maxwell. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc

Maxwell recorded a cover of the Kate Bush song "This Woman's Work" for his 1997 MTV Unplugged album. He also released a studio version on his 2001 Now album. The song was heard in the 2000 movie Love and Basketball starring Sanaa Lathn and Omar Epps.

07
of 10

2013 - "Fire We Make" (with Alicia Keys)

Maxwell and Alicia Keys perform on ABC's 'Good Morning America' at Rumsey Playfield on August 30, 2013 in New York City. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Maxwell and Alicia Keys reached number one on the Billboard Urban Contemporary chart with "Fire We Make" from her 2013 album, Girl On Fire.

08
of 10

2009 - Loveyou"

Maxwell. Larry Busacca/WireImage

"Loveyou" from Maxwell''s 2009 BLACKsummers'night album was not released as a single, yet it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

09
of 10

1998 - "Matrimony: Maybe You"

Maxwell. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

"Matrimony: Maybe You" from Maxwell's 1998 Embrya album was not released as a single, yet it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male RandB Vocal Performance.

10
of 10

1996 - "Sumthin; Sumthin'"

Maxwell. Bennett Raglin/WireImage

The third single from Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, "Sumthin' Sumthin'", peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Dance Music chart. An alternate version of the song was released as a single from the soundtrack album to the 1997 film Love Jones starring Laenz Tate and Nia Long. It reached number ten on the Urban Contemporary chart.