Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Maxwell
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a kid, I always had a passion for music, but I specifically pursued singing when I was 12. I heard “Baby” by Justin Bieber on the radio, and I thought to myself, “I think I can sing this song,” so that night, I started singing it because Bieber and I had a similar vocal range. My love for singing only grew from there, as I continued to sing songs by Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Miguel, and any other artists that piqued my interest, so by the time I was 15, I joined my high school chorus, which was one of the best decisions I ever made. I learned about diction, pitches, vocal intonation, breathing techniques, singing from the diaphragm, and many other things that all singers should know, so by the end of high school, I was making singing covers, which eventually led to creating my own music.
In college, not only did I love making music, but I realized my passion for entertainment. I started creating comedy skits and vlogs and recording and editing endless videos, which eventually led to a few videos going viral on a TikTok page I made with my friends called the 801Bros. We’ve gotten millions of views on our page, created a viral TikTok trend, and currently have 245,000 followers. I even made a cover of the song “Creepin” by Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, and 21 Savage because of our viral videos. The music video has over 27,000 views, and it’s been amazing reading all the comments and seeing all the love and support from people who love the content. I’m just happy I get to create music, make fun content, and entertain people as much as I can.
Now, I’m a part of my brother’s independent music label, Family First Music Group, and not only do I get to create music with my brother, but I also get to carry on the legacy of all the musicians in my family who came before me (Gene Redd Jr., Sharon Redd, Penny Ford, and many more). I’m creating music, making fun videos on the 801Bros TikTok page, and continuing to hone my craft every chance I get.
God allowed me to meet incredible people who helped me grow as an artist, which led to the creation of many songs that I’m incredibly proud of. Today, I am a language arts teacher at a private school in Baltimore, and it’s great because my students know about my music, so I get to incorporate the songs into lessons, and I even made a skit with them.
One day, I do want to be a full-time creator, and I know that day will come, but right now, I’m enjoying all the blessings God has given me because I have a great job and the space to continue being the musician and entertainer that I am.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think everyone who pursues the arts has to persevere because it’s a tough road. I’ve released so many videos and skits and received negative feedback, and the negativity can be discouraging. However, one thing that has helped me push past the tough times is that I love what I do. I love making music, and I love making fun content. Seeing other people enjoy the songs and videos is a bonus.
I remember I always thought I was going to be a doctor. I went to college believing I would be pre-med and I would be a surgeon. Once I realized that being a doctor was not what I was called to do, I did have a mental crisis, but in that crisis, music was my peace; being an entertainer was a refuge, and God helped me see that.
There have also been times when I didn’t have the money to record a new song, and thinking about the resources I didn’t have was also discouraging. I had to trust God, be patient, and believe that everything would work out, and it has.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a 6th-grade language arts teacher at a private school in Baltimore. It took me a while to realize that I love teaching, even though I was a camp counselor growing up. What I love about my job is I can mix my art with my teaching, and my students know all about my music. It’s awesome when they start singing my songs and ask me when my next song is coming out, and the best part is that I never promoted my music at school. My students found it online, and one day, they came into class singing my songs, which was a great surprise. As a teacher, I can utilize my creative abilities in the classroom, creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere for everyone. My students always ask me when I will pursue music full-time, and my answer is always the same. When God provides me with the opportunity to do it, I will!
I’m really proud of the music I’ve created and how I’ve incorporated my creative side into the classroom. This past year, I made a short movie with my students in the style of Abbott Elementary and The Office, which was a huge hit at the school. The students got to see what it takes to produce content and all the hard work that goes into its creation. God gave me these gifts, and it’s only right to use them whenever possible!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
To keep my mind in the right space, I often dedicate a good amount of time in the morning to prayer and reading the Bible. I’m currently reading The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, and my faith is what really keeps me grounded and positive. Life is super busy, so to unwind and not stress, I’ll also watch a lot of sports talk on YouTube (I love the show First Things First), and I’ll also watch a lot of anime (shoutout to Attack on Titan). TikTok is also a guilty pleasure because watching other creators come up with some really interesting skits always inspires me to create something new. Still, I have to put my phone away sometimes because otherwise, I can stay on TikTok for hours.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/jmaxx101
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuamusicofficial/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@joshua101?si=Xve7gyM5B0877hYy
- Other: https://linktr.ee/801bros
