MAXINE ASHLEY - The DOPE MAG Interview

Maxine Ashley is an effervescent lightning-rod for what’s new and nuanced in contemporary pop culture. The sky’s infinite possibilities, its limitlessness, is naturally attracted to her because it describes her and, as a nod to symbiotic reciprocity, she defines it. They are one. She and the sky are somehow Max’d out with no limits.

She brings Bronx-bred edginess, city sass, to the tip tops of polished Manhattan skyscrapers and their mansion magnetism. Tie-dye flavored and ash raspberry colored, wrapped in a probiotic bottle of Kombucha tea and shot in full color – displayed in HD. Max Ash is a music video, healthy for the industry because, if nothing else, the girl’s life is ultra-exciting even when her endearing humility won’t allow her to brag about it. Chick and her “Spanishness” be everywhere, yo. Gone with the wind like Vivien Leigh on some 21^st century sh!t.

A week after the 20-year-old Pharrell Williams protégé’s exclusive photo shoot with DOPE Magazine, she was live on SOB’s soulful SoHo stage chanting about hella sexy, weed-smoke clouded, nightlife condoned, alcohol soaked Perpetual Nights and the softer moments kept like secrets Between You and I. Days later, the burgundy-haired jetsetter was Cali-bound and, shortly thereafter, in attendance at the Grammy’s to watch her musical mentor humbly collect four shiny trophies and thousands of comments on his Vivian Westwood crown. Then the two shot an exclusive music video for a fan favorite off of Maxine’s “Mood Swings” EP. Moments later the momentum continued, when the Guess spokes-model’s spring season “Guess Originals” commercial aired worldwide.

The captivating Puerto Rican pop starlet is a busy girl full of life with bubbling music and fashion careers spilling over with promise. The self-proclaimed “weird b!tch” has fun as usual in this DOPE MAG exclusive. Hermosa chica que hace musica Hermosa!

Written by Tone Swep

Images by: Louis Obioha for Clever Chimp

Styled by: Isla Jewels

Creative Direction & MUA by: Eve Chen of Melange NYC

Hair by: Patrice Mclean of Melange NYC

Location: Mazio Studios in Brooklyn, January 2^nd, 2014

Read an Excerpt from the Full Length Interview

(Tone Swep: TS) We interviewed French Montana recently and he expressed how growing up in the Bronx influenced his style and personality as both a person and artist. The Bronx have similar effects on you?

(Maxine Ashley: MAX) Hell yea! I was born and bred there. But everywhere I’ve been able to set foot has also inspired and influenced me as well. I’ve lived in London for three years at the age of 13. That was an amazing experience also.

(TS) You signed to Pharrell’s i-Am-Other imprint as a teen, then your amazing debut EP “Mood Swings” dropped on Krucial Noise. Bring us up to speed on your current label situation. You’re aligned with some power players.

(MAX) I’m everywhere and nowhere, I don’t know (shrugs, Laughs!). Who knows where I’ll be next week. I’m just making music and vibing with amazing people for now.

(TS) “Perpetual Nights” and “Between You and I” resound as the standout tracks on Mood Swings. Do you feel that each photographs and frames your signature sound? Is this the brilliance of Max Ashley we should expect?

(MAX) They really do actually. “Between You and I” was the first song I ever did with Krucial and Perpetual Nights was one of the funniest songs I did with Pharrell. I remember he invited every person that was at the studio to where we were working and played the song for them, no lie, over 10 times (Laughs!). And it wasn’t even fully finished! And Oh-My-God, thank you for calling me brilliant. I’ve never heard that from my teachers ever (Laughs!). Expect anything because I’m all over the place. I love all sounds, all genres, but I feel it’s about putting your own spin on music, how you feel like expressing that certain mood into a melody over a beat without being stuck into a genre. You know? If what I sing so happens to be R&B all the time then I guess it’s what I’m best at and what’s naturally happening at the moment.

(TS) Mood Swings. The title requests these questions: Why is Maxine so musically moody? And what is she swinging at?

(MAX) Because I am a 20-year-old female who can be a moody ass b!tch and who is swinging towards getting some cookies because I’m also a hungry ass b!tch. Monthly.

(TS) What role do you feel your Puerto Rican heritage and bi-lingual fluency plays in your Pop/Soul sound?

(MAX) The Spanishness - not a word kids, stay in school - is engraved in me so it can’t help but play a role even if I didn’t want it to (Laughs!).

(TS) Your approach to fashion is like that of an art house graffiti artist: color and meaning everywhere. What inspires your sense of fashion? Why are you compelled to brush these eclectic portraits with gear? We love it.

(MAX) Thank you guys! I just shop and pick the things I love, then I put them away in my color coordinated closet, then I put random pieces together ‘cause I’m always rushing. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. I also dress based on how I’m feeling. If I’m feeling like I don’t want to get dressed at all - which is most of the time - I just throw on my biggest clothes. If I’m really happy I might throw on some tie-dye jeans, if I don’t feel like dealing with anything I just wear black. Most of the time though, I just put on clothes. You know, it’s just clothes.

(TS) What most empowers you as a young woman?

(MAX) My career. Staying educated and just winning at this thing called life, yo. Leaving my baby human little poop stain on this earth before we all are forgotten.