Maxi Priest signs global management deal with team behind UB40

British-Jamaican reggae singer Maxi Priest has signed a global management agreement with Birmingham-based EVO Music Management, the company representing legendary British reggae band UB40.

The agreement will see EVO oversee the Grammy Award-nominated artist's international career, including recorded music, live performances, brand partnerships, commercial opportunities and long-term artistic development. The partnership will also involve live entertainment specialists CAA and Big Wave, which handle the singer's booking representation.

The deal marks a new chapter for Maxi Priest, whose four-decade career has been defined by a blend of reggae, lovers rock, R&B and pop. He is among the most successful British-Jamaican recording artists, with an international following spanning the United Kingdom, United States, Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

In a statement, Maxi Priest said he was looking forward to working with the new management team as he prepares to release new music.

"I've been working hard on lots of new music, with some exciting surprises that I can't wait for my fans around the world to hear," he said.

"This is a very special time for me, and I'm delighted to be starting this next chapter with my new management team at EVO Management, alongside my booking agents CAA and Big Wave."

He added that having a team that understands his creative vision and supports his ambitions was important as he continued to evolve as an artist.

James Abdou, co-founder and director of EVO Management, said the company was excited to work with the singer, describing his enthusiasm for writing, recording and performing as infectious.

"Reggae music is massively underrepresented in the mainstream and in modern British music culture," Abdou said, adding that Maxi Priest was among the few British artists able to transcend generations, borders and genres.

Best known for international hits including Close to You, Wild World, That Girl, featuring Shaggy, and Housecall, with Shabba Ranks, Maxi Priest has maintained a prominent position in popular music since the 1980s.

His 1990 hit Close to You topped the US Billboard Hot 100, making him one of the few reggae artists to reach No. 1 on the chart.

The singer has also received three Grammy Award nominations for Best Reggae Album. His most recent nomination was for It All Comes Back to Love, his 2019 album produced in collaboration with fellow Jamaican artist Shaggy.

The management agreement builds on Maxi Priest's longstanding musical association with UB40. He joined the band and fellow British reggae group Aswad for UB40's 2026 Unstoppable UK arena tour, bringing together three established acts from Britain's reggae scene.

Matt Campbell, EVO Management's co-founder and director, said the company looked forward to building on the singer's international success, noting that his music continued to resonate with audiences across generations.

The signing also represents a further expansion of EVO's international artist roster. Based in Birmingham, a city with a longstanding connection to reggae and Caribbean music, the company provides artist management and career development services.

Further announcements about Maxi Priest's upcoming projects and activities are expected in the coming months.