Max B

Before his career was sidetracked by legal troubles in 2009, rapper Max B flooded New York with a string of sample-flipping mixtapes that showcased his hooky vocal style. • The rapper is best known as a former affiliate of Diplomats member Jim Jones, with whom he was a member of the label and group ByrdGang. Contract disputes led to Max’s departure. • These disputes also held up the release of Max B’s debut album, Vigilante Season, which was recorded in 2008 but not released until 2011. • Max linked up with Jones’ rival French Montana for the Coke Wave mixtape series, which began with two instalments in 2009. • In 2009, Max B was sentenced to 75 years in prison after being convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and felony murder. • He’s continued releasing music from behind bars, and in 2019, he and French Montana teamed up for Coke Wave 4. (No, there is no Coke Wave 3.) • The “B” in Max B is short for Biggaveli, an homage to Notorious B.I.G., JAY-Z (aka Jigga) and Makavelli (Tupac Shakur).