The 1990s saw the emergence and shape of the neo-soul movement, and Maxwell played an important role in creating the sound of the genre. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and uses his middle name as his stage name and fiercely guards his true identity. He is half Puerto Rican and half West Indian and grew up without his father since he died when Maxwell was young. He sang in church as a child and started writing songs in his teens. He was originally drawn to R&B, and he started to gain a following while playing in the underground music scene in New York City.

The constant performing got him noticed by Columbia Records and signed a deal in 1994. He recorded a debut album with stars like Lion Ware, Wah Wah Watson, and Stuart Matthewman. The album had many influences from decades past and Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite dropped in 1996. The album reached number eight on the Top R&B /Hip-Hop Albums chart in 1996 and number 37 on the Billboard 200 the next year. He released an MTC Unplugged Up soon after, which also charted on mainstream and R&B/Hip-Hop charts and boosted Maxwell's popularity. The album has covers of songs from a variety of genres, further pushing it into mainstream light.

He released the follow up, Embrya in 1998, which reached number two on the Top R&B /Hip-Hop Albums chart and number three on the Billboard 200. Despite some mixed reviews, the album was even more of a success than his first hit. His 2001 album, Now, was Maxwell's biggest success, topping both the Top R&B /Hip-Hop Albums and the Billboard 200 charts. It also marked a return back to his signature sound. Maxwell released a greatest hits album in 2008 called For Lovers Only, The Best of Maxwell.