My name is Maxwell

I write and perform music under the title "Grateful Lord I Am" 

because Lord, I am grateful

Born 1993

in West Los Angeles, California

Grew up in the neighborhood of Castle Heights

Now residing in West New York, New Jersey

I come from a Christian home, both my parents and both sets of grandparents being firm believers in Christ 

Writing rap songs since I was in the second grade and never ceased

In high school, I was classically trained in vocal performance 

Started recording music legitimately in my senior year

Growing up, I never had a true relationship with Jesus, despite my background in the faith

Went to church on Sundays and youth group at night but was severely lost in the world

Music was a passion; writing, recording, performing

I dropped out of my only year of college and started working

Ventured into a hip-hop group that never saw its true potential 

Performed all over the NYC area

Wrote and recorded countless songs, with hopes of starting a music career 

Nothing ever took off

I even found myself joining a hip-hop cult, led by a "legend" 

Got booed off stage at the famous Apollo Theater 

And almost utterly gave up in striving for a career in music 

In the midst of all that, an addiction to alcohol almost killed me

An addiction to cannabis consumed me entirely

The grip of lust controlled me 

I was in darkness, most of my life

Then one day at work, in Fall of 2024

I created some tension amongst my coworkers

My manager called us together in a meeting

As soon as it started, I heard a voice and felt a spirit 

It said: "Forgive them"

I was heavily convicted by this command; I knew for some reason that it wasn't just a random thought

Stopping the meeting, I apologized to everyone and claimed fault for the incident 

When I pondered over it, I primarily regretted that I made the decision of forgiveness, but The Holy Spirit reveled to me that the voice was Jesus

Slowly but surely, I believed it

I felt in my whole being that the Lord was calling me to Him

I started reading the Bible, beginning with the Gospel of Matthew 

And it didn't take long for me to turn to Him in repentance and faith

I then declared that Jesus Christ was my Lord

Very soon after I was saved by Christ, He made it clear to me that I didn't have to give up making music

Only this time, it was all to be for Him

To glorify the name of Jesus

God gave me the gifts; it's only right to give them back to Him 

In offering and to praise His Name on high

I do not create music to strive solely for a career, as I once did

Everything I do is from the Lord, through the Lord and to the Lord

I seek to be used by Him, to bless others who need Him and to encourage those who have Him

May the Almighty King of the Universe be glorified in every song that I write, record and perform 

and in how I live, and in all that I do

Thank You Jesus. I love You so much.