Maxwell debuts video for “Shame” depicting black beauty

(New York, NY): Maxwell has filmed a music video for his newest release, “Shame.” Opening with a view of the New York City skyline and models clad in sheer dark scarves, obscuring their faces from view, the video is a vibrant look into black beauty. A low hum sets the stage for this ground-breaking video that dives deep into historical context, popular culture and realities of love; an all star cast led by super model Maria Borgess, featuring Jeneil Williams, Achok Majak, Riley Montana, Sira Kant and Adonis Bosso as regal depictions of humans shedding their shame. 

Watch video here: http://smarturl.it/maxwellshame/Youtube

“We wanted to celebrate beauty. Specifically the beauty of Black women. Black women - Black people - don’t see themselves heralded as a standard of beauty nearly enough in the media, especially in entertainment, high fashion and art. It’s getting better, but we still have so far to go," Maxwell explains. "People of color have carried shame about our features, our hair, our bodies, our skin tone. As I said previously, this song is about removing the cloak of shame and opening up to love... including self-love and love of your culture. So we decided to pay homage to another beautiful video, George Michael’s iconic “Freedom” - but make it Black. The end result is gorgeous, powerful and stunning. This video is a love letter to my women of color. Feel no shame in your skin - you are beyond beautiful."

Billboard calls "Shame" a “smooth serenade” while Spin says it is “a stuttering, soulful first single.” The new song is the debut single off upcoming album ‘NIGHT,' slated for release in 2019 on Columbia Records. 

Directors Gerard Bush + Christopher Renz (Bush + Renz), who also directed the music short film “The Glass House’ featuring Maxwell and staring Yomi Abiola, wanted the video to showcase black excellence in stark contrast to some of the imagery propagated and promoted historically within popular culture. “Maxwell courageously confronts personal shame, liberating himself from the scars of insecurity and bad decisions— while simultaneously and unapologetically celebrating black beauty in all its magnificence. Shame is a bold, sexy, audacious statement, that is meant to catalyze a conversation around extending beauty norms beyond European sensibilities” said Bush + Renz. 

Maxwell is on his “50 Intimate Nights Tour” headlining shows all over the country. Following on the heels of performances at North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam and Afropunk Paris, the multi-GRAMMY-winning soul singer will debut new material during these intimate shows alongside his many critically acclaimed hits. 

 

"50 Intimate Nights Live" Tour Dates:

10/17 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live at the Event Center

10/18 - St. Petersburg, FL - Mahaffey Theater

10/20 - Huntsville, AL - Von Braun Center Concert Hall

10/21 - Jackson, MS - Thalia Mara Hall

10/24 - New Orleans, LA - Saenger Theatre

10/25 - Memphis, TN - Orpheum Theatre

10/27 - Irving, TX - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

10/28 - Sugar Land, TX - Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land

10/29 - San Antonio, TX - Majestic Theatre

11/1 - Phoenix, AZ - Comerica Theatre

11/2 - San Diego, CA - Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

11/3 - Reno, NV - Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort

11/4 - Las Vegas, NV - The Pearl @ Palms Casino Resort

11/8 - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre

11/9 - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre

11/10 - Los Angeles, CA - Microsoft Theater

11/14 - Kansas City, MO - Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland

11/15 - St. Louis, MO - Stifel Theatre

11/18 - Nashville, TN - Schermerhorn Symphony Center

11/20 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater

11/21 - Minneapolis, MN - State Theatre

11/23 - Louisville, KY - Louisville Palace

11/24 - Northfield, OH - Hard Rock Live

11/26 - Toronto, ON - Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

11/28 - Montclair, NJ - The Wellmont Theater

11/29 - Westbury, NY - NYCB Theatre At Westbury

12/1 - Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre

12/2 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre

12/3 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre

12/5 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre

12/7 - Wallingford, CT - Toyota Oakdale Theatre

12/8 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theater

12/9 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre

 

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