Maxwell is making a triumphant return with new music that’s sure to have us all swooning. The Grammy-winning soul singer recently released his latest single, “Shame” and the accompanying music video is a beautiful ode to Black beauty.
We caught up with the Brooklyn-born artist to find out what prompted his love letter to Black women.
“I feel like Black women and Black beauty is so under appreciated. It’s the beauty that everybody wants, whether it’s the lips, the elasticity of the skin, or the booty. This was a great opportunity to celebrate women and to take pride in Black women’s beauty that they have on the inside as well as the outside,” he told TheGrio during an exclusive interview.
“The video focuses specifically on the shame that should not be shameful. Black beauty, Black women, Black power, and Black excellence. When you look at these women, you see the power of their strength.”
Maxwell says he was inspired by many of the women in his life, especially his mother.
“I’m grateful that I get to make music that celebrates that. Coming from the womb of a beautiful Haitian woman and having a Puerto Rican father, I always had a bird’s eye view of the strength my mother had,” he said.
“It’s amazing to me that Black women can be like Superwoman. They’re super powerful women in a society that rarely celebrates them as they should. They can be strong and still be nurturing, loving individuals. There’s no divide between those two traits.”
Maxwell reunited with Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz (Bush + Renz) the duo that directed the short film The Glass House featuring Maxwell and Yomi Abiola for “Shame.”
Opening with a view of the New York City skyline and models clad in sheer dark scarves, obscuring their faces from view, the video is a vibrant look into black beauty. A low hum sets the stage for this ground-breaking video that dives deep into historical context, popular culture and realities of love; an all star cast led by super model Maria Borgess, featuring Jeneil Williams, Achok Majak, Riley Montana, Sira Kant and Adonis Bosso as regal depictions of humans shedding their shame.
Check out the video for “Shame”
There’s still time to catch Maxwell on his 50 Intimate Nights Tour, where you may hear new music from his upcoming album, Night, due out next year on Columbia Records.
Check out the dates below:
10/27 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
10/28 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
10/29 – San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theatre
11/1 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
11/2 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
11/3 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
11/4 – Las Vegas, NV – The Pearl @ Palms Casino Resort
11/8 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre
11/9 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre
11/10 – Los Angeles, CA – Microsoft Theater
11/14 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
11/15 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre
11/18 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
11/20 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater
11/21 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
11/23 – Louisville, KY – Louisville Palace
11/24 – Northfield, OH – Hard Rock Live
11/26 – Toronto, ON – Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
11/28 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
11/29 – Westbury, NY – NYCB Theatre At Westbury
12/1 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
12/2 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
12/3 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
12/5 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
12/7 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre
12/8 – Upper Darby, PA – Tower Theater
12/9 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
10/27 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
10/28 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
10/29 – San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theatre
11/1 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
11/2 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
11/3 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
11/4 – Las Vegas, NV – The Pearl @ Palms Casino Resort
11/8 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre
11/9 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre
11/10 – Los Angeles, CA – Microsoft Theater
11/14 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
11/15 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre
11/18 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
11/20 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater
11/21 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
11/23 – Louisville, KY – Louisville Palace
11/24 – Northfield, OH – Hard Rock Live
11/26 – Toronto, ON – Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
11/28 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
11/29 – Westbury, NY – NYCB Theatre At Westbury
12/1 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
12/2 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
12/3 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
12/5 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
12/7 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre
12/8 – Upper Darby, PA – Tower Theater
12/9 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre