Maxwell graces the cover of ESSENCE Magazines latest issue as he gets ready to headline the opening night of the ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans on July 1, and release his hotly-anticipated new album blackSUMMERS’night.
While shooting for the cover feature, the elusive R&B star sat down for an interview with ESSENCE, where he discussed his return, new music, and how he didn’t always feel accepted in his community.
“It’s a blessing for me as an African American man from a Caribbean background who for a long time, in the beginning didn’t feel completely Black enough in the tradtional Black and soulful way that most other artists have been in the past,” he explained. But with time, he’s grown comfortable with who he is and all that he stands for. “So for me it’s a brilliant gift of confirmation not only from my people but from all the people around the world that my music was good enough for them.”
Go behind the scenes of his photoshoot and interview below!
