I am Maxx Imani

artist statement

Born into a family with deep roots in Chicago's poetry and music scenes, I am a product of both my heritage and my personal evolution. My name, Maxx Imani—meaning "greatest faith" in my mother’s poetic words—was a family creation. Max came to my paternal grandfather in a dream, and my older brother Rob added the second “x” for a little extra flair.

I am a Chicago native, a singer by DNA, trained in classical and jazz music, though I don’t fit neatly into either genre. My musical influences are rooted in neo-soul, R&B, and jazz, with a touch of Joseph Kosma for seasoning. I grew up on the voices and visions of Selena, Lauryn Hill, India Arie, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, and Destiny’s Child—each of them shaping the way I hear, feel, and create music.

Since childhood, I’ve been writing—poetry, songs, short stories, and lyrics—merging my love for storytelling with sound. As an artist, I embrace every part of my creative self. I'm not only a singer. I’m a makeup artist, a culinary connoisseur, a musician, a pet mama, a graphic designer—and more parts I probably haven’t named yet.

I’m a troublemaker and a badass, which just means I live on my own terms, expressing the fullness of myself in everything I do. Whichever version of Miss Maxx Imani you meet, know it will be layered, intentional, and overflowing with creativity.

Maxx means “to the greatest extent possible.” That second “x”? It’s the reminder that even the greatest can go further—with a little extra sauce, a little razzle dazzle. You feel me?

Bio

Maxx Imani is a Black multidisciplinary artist and storyteller from Chicago. Raised in a family of poets, educators, and entrepreneurs, her work is shaped by the influences around her. Maxx has been singing for as long as she can remember—always humming, making sounds, and writing songs with her father in both his home and work studios. Music wasn’t just a talent; it was her first language, long before any formal training.

She began her structured arts education at The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), graduating as a Vocal Performance major in the school’s second graduating class. Although she chose not to pursue the conservatory path in college, Maxx continued performing and honing her craft throughout her time at Lawrence University, where she earned a degree in Philosophy in 2019. Her studies focused on race, women, and gender—disciplines that continue to shape her perspective as both an artist and storyteller.

Maxx's creative practice spans music, writing, beauty, food, and design. Her musical influences are deeply rooted in neo-soul, jazz, and R&B, shaped by formative listening to artists like Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, India Arie, Selena, Janet Jackson, Destiny’s Child, and the timeless works of Joseph Kosma. Whether writing lyrics, producing visual content, or directing artistic concepts, Maxx brings intention, vulnerability, and emotional honesty to everything she creates.

As a writer, she moves fluidly between poetry, short stories, and narrative reflections—often exploring the complexities of Black womanhood, mental health, healing, and self-reclamation. Her podcast Make It Make Sense! offers raw, reflective storytelling and unscripted dialogue, blending humor, insight, and lived experience. Her visual content—including beauty tutorials, travel vlogs, and cooking chronicles—celebrates everyday creativity as a means of personal and collective healing.

Currently, Maxx teaches elective courses on the South Side of Chicago, where she brings her full creative self into the classroom. She sees education as a collaborative space for empowerment, where artistic exploration and personal identity are honored and encouraged.

She is currently developing her first major creative project, Marvel—a body of work that weaves music, visuals, and narrative into an immersive experience. Marvel is both a mirror and a love letter: to the self in motion, to the stories we carry, and to the freedom found in becoming.