Born Charley Wingate on May 21, 1978, in Harlem, New York, the artist who would become known to the world as Max B carved out a singular and influential path in hip-hop before his career was dramatically interrupted by a lengthy prison sentence. Adopting the moniker Max B, short for Max Biggaveli, he emerged as a rapper, singer, and songwriter whose distinctive melodic flow and inventive slang left an indelible mark on the genre. He is widely credited with popularizing the term "wavy" as a cornerstone of modern vernacular, effectively originating the wave movement that permeated hip-hop culture and beyond.

Max B made his mixtape debut in 2006, quickly capturing attention with his solo Public Domain and Million Dollar Baby series. His unique blend of singing and rapping, coupled with his charismatic persona, earned him a devoted following and led to a recording deal with fellow Harlem rapper Jim Jones and his ByrdGang collective. However, the partnership proved short-lived and contentious, dissolving in 2008 amid a series of financial and ethical grievances. The split ignited a bitter and highly publicized feud between Jones and his associates on one side and Max B and his affiliates on the other. During this period, he forged a close and prolific creative alliance with producer Dame Grease and fellow rapper French Montana, with whom he collaborated on the celebrated Coke Wave mixtape series, further solidifying his underground legend.

His ascent was abruptly halted in mid-2009 when he was convicted on conspiracy charges related to armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and felony murder, receiving a sentence of 75 years in prison. While incarcerated, he maintained his artistic presence, securing a three-album deal with Amalgam Digital that led to the release of his debut album, Vigilante Season, in 2011. After years of legal battles, he accepted a 20-year plea bargain for aggravated manslaughter on September 16, 2016. Following sixteen years of incarceration, Max B was released from federal prison on November 9, 2025, returning to a music landscape he had profoundly shaped.

His comeback was nothing short of triumphant. Reuniting with French Montana, he scored his first career number-one single with "Ever Since U Left Me (I Went Deaf)," which topped both the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay and Mediabase Rhythmic Radio charts in 2026. He further cemented his resurgence by appearing on "Minks in Miami" alongside Rick Ross and French Montana, a track that reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, giving him two number-one records on two different Billboard charts within the same year. From his pioneering influence on hip-hop slang to his remarkable return to the top of the charts, Max B's story is one of enduring talent, resilience, and a legacy that continues to evolve.