New Video: "Lake by the Ocean" (Maxwell)

After releasing his new single "Lake by the Ocean" a few months ago, Maxwell is back with the song's official music video. Directed by  Philip Andelman, the visual for "Lake by the Ocean" opens in a village that is in dire need of water. The visual then follows a beautiful woman from the village, as she heads out on her quest to see Maxwell perform at a distant café.

With that said the visual is both stunning and powerful, offering some social commentary in addition to a love story. Watch Maxwell's latest video for "Lake by the Ocean" below and lookout for the release of blackSUMMER'Snight when it's released July 1st!

Podcast: "Back To SUMMERS'night" (The BackBeat)

On this week’s episode, we welcome back Maxwell to the musical scene with his new single "Lake by the Ocean" and his tour kicking off this summer. We review Big Sean and Jhene Aiko’s new album Twenty88. Next, we discuss rumors of André 3000's new album as well as Beyonce’s Elle Magazine cover in which she discusses Formation and police brutality. We then update everyone on the latest developments in Kesha’s sexual assault case against Dr. Luke and Sony Music. Finally, we wonder if we will ever hear Tinashe’s Joyride album since she has postponed the tour to work on new music!

During our songs of the week segment, Marcus chooses cuts from Rihanna, Maxwell, and Jill Scott. While Kyera encourages us to listen to some Kaytranada, Drake, and Schoolboy Q.

New Joint: "Lake By The Ocean" (Maxwell)

After years of teasing and nearly seven years since Maxwell released his last album BLACKsummers’night, the GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter is back with the lead single from his forthcoming album blackSUMMERS’night.

Entitled "Lake by the Ocean," the mellow jam is classic Maxwell and it's refreshing to hear his voice on some new music. With that said, blackSUMMERS’night is slated for release on July 1st and you can get the first taste of the second album in the trilogy below!

Podcast: "#FactsOnly" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat we get into some of 2016’s highly anticipated releases including Rihanna’s Anti, Ariana Grande’s Moonlight, Christina Aguilera’s follow-up to 2012’s Lotus, Kanye’s Swish, and Missy Elliott’s followup to 2005’s The Cookbook. In addition we speculate about new releases from D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Beyonce and Maxwell with a shoutout to Drake. We then tackle Complex’s list of the best rappers each year since 1979, which shamefully only features one woman, Ms. Nicki Minaj. We then rejoice at Beyonce joining Coldplay at this year’s Super Bowl in addition to rumors that Rihanna might join the festivities, get into some of the new music thus far in 2016 (Kanye West’s “Swish” and “Best Friend”; Brandy’s “Beggin and Pleadin”; Fantasia’s “No Time For It”), talk about Netflix’s highly anticipated series “The Get Down,” and interrogate RZA thinking Black youth should stop scaring police.

Make sure you stay tune to the end of the episode when Marcus and Kyera get into their songs of the moment from Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Whitney Houston, and Kelela.

Second Listen: "For Lovers Only" (Maxwell)

Back in 2001, Maxwell dropped his third album Now, which featured so many hits and classics from the crooner. With that said, one of the cuts from the album is Maxwell's smooth sensual joint "For Lovers Only."

Though never released as a single, this song is amazing and definitely deserves a first listen if not a second. With that said, take a first or second listen below to "For Lovers Only" and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Pretty Wings" (Maxwell)

"Pretty Wings" - Maxwell

• Writers and Producers: Maxwell and Hod Davis
• Record Label: Columbia 
• Released in 2009 from BLACKsummers'night
• Peaked at #1 on U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
• Won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

Live Audio: "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'" (Maxwell)

Maxwell's "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'" is definitely a fan favorite for the crooner and below you will find a smooth breakdown of Maxwell and his band performing a solid rendition of "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'."

While I am not familiar when/where this was recorded, if I was to guess, this might be part of the international bonus track of "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'," that was released in 1997 from his MTV Unplugged album. Either way it ends up, listen below to this solid live audio and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "For Lovers Only" (Maxwell)

Back in 2001, Maxwell dropped his third album Now, which featured so many hits and classics from the crooner. With that said, one of the cuts from the album is Maxwell's smooth sensual joint "For Lovers Only."

Though never released as a single, this song is amazing and definitely deserves a first listen if not a second. With that said, take a first or second listen below to "For Lovers Only" and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Pretty Wings" (Maxwell)

"Pretty Wings" - Maxwell

• Writers and Producers: Maxwell and Hod Davis
• Record Label: Columbia 
• Released in 2009 from BLACKsummers'night
• Peaked at #1 on U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
• Won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

Second Listen: "For Lovers Only" (Maxwell)

Back in 2001, Maxwell dropped his third album Now, which featured so many hits and classics from the crooner. With that said, one of the cuts from the album is Maxwell's smooth sensual joint "For Lovers Only."

Though never released as a single, this song is amazing and definitely deserves a first listen if not a second. With that said, take a first or second listen below to "For Lovers Only" and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Luxury: Cococure" (Maxwell)

"Luxury: Cococure" - Maxwell

• Writer: Musze
• Producers: Musze
• Record Label: Columbia
• Released in 1998 from Embrya
• Peaked at # 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart

Song of the Day: "Pretty Wings" (Maxwell)

"Pretty Wings" - Maxwell

• Writers and Producers: Maxwell and Hod Davis
• Record Label: Columbia 
• Released in 2009 from BLACKsummers'night
• Peaked at #1 on U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
• Won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

Live Video of the Day: "Lifetime" (Maxwell)

Back in 2001, Maxwell was promoting his album Now and during his promotional run for the LP, Maxwell brought a performance his song "Lifetime" to The Late Show with David Letterman.

Maxwell croons out a phenomenal version of the song from back in 2001 and shows why he is considered one of the top male vocalists of our time. With that said, watch his sublime performance of "Lifetime" below and if you haven't checked out his album Now, it might be the time.

Second Listen: "Suitelady (The Proposal Jam)" (Maxwell)

Back in 1997, Maxwell released "Suitelady (The Proposal Jam)" as the fourth and final single from his debut album Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite.

Though the single didn't end up charting on the Billboard Hot 100 or Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, it's a solid smooth joint that deserves a first or second listen as it's one of my favorite joints from his discography.

Therefore, take a listen below to Maxwell's "Suitelady (The Proposal Jam)" and Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothe (Cut)" (Maxwell)

There are some joints that are just so dangerous that listening to them with that special someone could result in a nine-month surprise and Maxwell's "Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothe (Cut)" is definitely one of those joints aka an instant bedroom classic.

With that said, Maxwell's 'Mellosmoothe (Cut)' rendition of "Sumthin' Sumthin'" was featured on the Love Jones soundtrack from back in 1997 and during this era, Maxwell had a special on BET to help promote his debut album Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite. Offering several sublime performances, including a steamy rendition of "Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothe (Cut)," you can watch his phenomenal crooning on "Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothe (Cut)" below.

Live Audio: "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'" (Maxwell)

Maxwell's "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'" is definitely a fan favorite for the crooner and below you will find a smooth breakdown of Maxwell and his band performing a solid rendition of "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'."

While I am not familiar when/where this was recorded, if I was to guess, this might be part of the international bonus track of "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'," that was released in 1997 from his MTV Unplugged album. Either way it ends up, listen below to this solid live audio and Enjoy!

Cut: "Drowndeep:Hula" (Maxwell)

Maxwell's smooth cut "Drowndeep:Hula," from his sophomore album, 1998's Embrya, is definitely one of those cuts that should be revisited from time to time.

Though never released as a single from the crooner, it's a cut on the album that should've, though not being released is also great for the song so that true fans of Maxwell can enjoy the smooth groove that is "Drowndeep:Hula."

Therefore, take a listen to this smooth joint below and Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Pretty Wings" (Maxwell)

Back in 2009 when Maxwell was promoting his comeback album BLACKsummers'night, he stopped by CBS's Late Night with David Letterman to perform the set's lead single and #1 "Pretty Wings."

While we await the release of his delayed fifth studio album blackSUMMERS'night, I thought it would be nice to revisit this Grammy-winning joint from the smooth neo-soul crooner as we all patiently await news of the set's forthcoming release.

With that said, take a few minutes and let Maxwell croon out a sublime rendition of "Pretty Wings" below and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "For Lovers Only" (Maxwell)

Back in 2001, Maxwell dropped his third album Now, which featured so many hits and classics from the crooner. With that said, one of the cuts from the album is Maxwell's smooth sensual joint "For Lovers Only."

Though never released as a single, this song is amazing and definitely deserves a first listen if not a second. With that said, take a first or second listen below to "For Lovers Only" and Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothe (Cut)" (Maxwell)

There are some joints that are just so dangerous that listening to them with that special someone could result in a nine-month surprise and Maxwell's "Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothe (Cut)" is definitely one of those joints aka an instant bedroom classic.

With that said, Maxwell's 'Mellosmoothe (Cut)' rendition of "Sumthin' Sumthin'" was featured on the Love Jones soundtrack from back in 1997 and during this era, Maxwell had a special on BET to help promote his debut album Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite. Offering several sublime performances, including a steamy rendition of "Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothe (Cut)," you can watch his phenomenal crooning on "Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothe (Cut)" below.