Grand Puba

A native of New Rochelle, New York, Maxwell Dixon (aka Grand Puba) made his commercial debut with Masters of Ceremony, a group that recorded for M-Low, Strong City, and 4th & Broadway. Shortly after he left Brand Nubian following their debut album, Dixon debuted as a solo artist with Reel to Reel (1992). Released on Elektra, the same major label that supported Brand Nubian, the album featured the singles "360 Degrees (What Goes Around)" and "Check It Out" (with Mary J. Blige) and reached number 28 on the Billboard 200. His second solo release, 2000, was released in 1995.