El Genius was born in Omaha Nebraska, the oldest of 4 children. I was raised by my grandmother to be strong and level headed. Being the oldest, alot of responsibility fell on my shoulders to be the leader and accomplish great things. I started emceeing when i was roughly 14. Ive overcome some difficult obstacles to get to the point where i am now and i understand what it takes to continue succeeding in music and in life. I am a teacher as well as a pupil, and i approach everything in life with this attitude. To listen to me, is to learn and to learn is to grow. So enjoy the "Long Ride" cause when its over... its over.
In a music scene saturated with popcorn beats and trendy artists it’s hard to find real substance in hip hop music anymore. Aside from Kanye West, Common, Lupe Fiasco, and Talib Kweli there are few mass marketable conscious rappers. Introducing Monte “El Genius” Maxwell. Born in Omaha, Nebraska in the early 80’s and raised in the infamous Hilltop Projects, El Genius moved to historical 24th street area and began the long journey into the hip hop life gaining street cred through weekly battles at local bars and clubs. Around that same time El Genius built his first studio from scratch and began recording with his crew That Nine Leeg featuring Marx Schiptz, Donny Profound and Drew Darko. His growth was cut short due to his enlistment in the U.S. Army; however he kept working on his craft by continuing to do small shows including a performance in Kuwait for his fellow soldiers. El Genius was eventually deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and was subsequently injured. Upon his return to Omaha in April 2004, Genius quickly returned to his work and began gathering material to put together his debut solo album. During this process Genius took material to the local radio station Power 106.9 (formerly 107.7) to meet up with UFC Fighter and Power 106.9 DJ Houston Alexander. Houston then connected Genius with a new producer named James Keyes (JKeez) and the rest they say is history. With the help J. Keez, Genius recorded “Back Down” with Block Movements’ Stylo The song was an instant hit and was spun regularly at the radio station. While recording the album, Genius attended the “Grab the Mic” conference hosted by Sr. Bad Boy A & R Conrad “Rad” Dimanche and Sr. A & R for Suave house II Records Anthony “Scoe” Walker. There Genius was able to gain valuable industry insight and connections that helped to further his career. Shortly after the conference Genius finished up his album and dropped “El Genius Presents the Long Ride” in January 2007. Upon completion of the album El Genius went on promotional campaign doing over 70 shows in 9 months. In July 2007 he was named as the first ever V.S.O.P. All- Star and was also nominated by the Midwest Entertainment Awards for Best New Artist in October 2007.
To date “El Genius Presents the Long Ride” has sold 300 to 400 copies (both hardcopy and digital). El Genius is currently seeking a major label deal to mass market his next album.
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