Max B
Charly Wingate(born May 21, 1978), better known by his stage name Max B (short for Max Biggavelli), is an American hip-hop recording artist. His mother, Sharon Wingate, the eldest of eight siblings, had battled with substance abuse for most of her life and eventually served a year and a half in prison for her crack addiction. His grandparents largely raised Charly. According to his mother, his grandmother taught Charly her strong religious values from a young age. As a child he was friends with future rapper and Dipset founder Cam’ron, He grew up with music in the household, and had sung in the Boys Choir of Harlem. He is best known for his solo Public Domain and Million Dollar Baby series of mixtapes, and introducing the term "wavy" as slang in popular lexicon.
In 2005, Max B appeared as a feature on various records, including "G's Up" and lead single "Baby Girl" off of Jones' sophomore album Harlem: A Diary of Summer released in August. He appeared as a feature on "You Gotta Love It" off of Cam'ron's Killa Season album released in May 2006, and released his debut mixtape Million Dollar Baby the same month. Max B collaborated on the ByrdGang mixtape M.O.B. (Members of ByrdGang) released on July 7, and made several feature appearances on Jones' mixtape The 7 Day Theory released on September 27.
He made his mixtape debut in 2006, and signed a recording deal with fellow Harlem-based rapperJim Jones’ label/group ByrdGang. In 2007 he was released on bail and found himself homeless with little help from his colleagues and only a laptop to his name. While out on bail Don Cartagena p/k/a Fat Joe asked Max for a feature on his project for $15,000.00. Max immediately hit the road with Lazy K to promote his mixtape in Connecticut and Boston on his feature payment. This trip started the movement for his Public Domain. Following a streak of financial and ethical grievances, Max B parted ways with Jones. The two became embroiled in a bitter feud, which pitted Jones and his associates on one side, and Max B and his affiliates on the other. Max B is closely associated with producer Dame Grease and fellow rapperFrench Montana where the two collaborated on theCoke Wave mixtape series.
Max B entered the industry spotlight through his affiliation with The Diplomats in particular Cam'ron who was a childhood friend of his. Cam'ron introduced Max to Jim Jones, who would then go on to found ByrdGang in 2006 with Max B as a starring member, with Stack Bundles, Mel Matrix and lady Jha Jha. By 2008, Max B had left ByrdGang.
The first half of 2009, following the release of his eleventh mixtape Coke Wave on February 5, he released his twelfth mixtape Quarantine on February 21 later that month. The fifth installation in his flagship "Public Domain" series, notable tracks off Quarantine include "I Ain't Tryna", "All My Life", "Don't Love Hoes", and "DJ Saved My Life" featuring Mak Mustard.
Max B continues to seek a higher appeal. Rapper Jay-Z recently “shouted out” Max B in support on his Rick Ross and Dr. Dre collaboration "3 Kings.” In July 2013 Max B started a partnership with Phase One Network. He was was featured on French Montana’s 2017 “A Lie” also featuring The Weekend. Max B’s unique style of flow has had a direct influence on hip-hop and its culture. In only three years of releasing music in his career before his incarceration, Complex has stated, “His legacy is undeniable”. This has also been the sentiment echoed by artist such as Jay Z, Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, French Montana and many more. Producer Harry Fraud has paid homage to Max and his influence on the current rap generation. He has also referenced his talent as a “Demigod”.
Max B is currently working on rehabilitation and is eager to be released. He is actively writing and is planning on recording his project once released. Aside from his music Max will be working on a re-entry program for released inner city inmates that will assist them in the transition once released.
