Max B has been incarcerated since 2009, but the Harlem rapper returned today with the release of a rare new song. Titled “Hold On,” the song’s melody interpolates “Nothing Can Come Between Us” by UK band Sade, and represents the rapper’s first newly recorded solo material since the release of 2011’s Vigilante Season.
Although it’s unclear exactly when the song was recorded, Max does reference the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.:
Dave got a 22, snuck it in the school
Number one rule, baby look
Dammit another Sandy Hook
Family full of crooks
The rapper’s vocals have popped up on a handful of recent tracks by French Montana, Kanye West, and Dave East, but he hasn’t put out any solo material in years due to his incarceration.
Max B was sentenced to 75 years in prison in 2009 for his alleged role in a 2006 robbery in Fort Lee, New Jersey that ended with a murder. Although he wasn’t present, he was charged as an accomplice. In 2016, Max B had his sentence significantly reduced as part of a new plea deal.
Although The Associated Press reported at the time that he would still have to serve an additional nine years, French Montana has previously claimed that Max B could get out of jail sooner than that. Earlier this year, he said that he’s spoken about Max’s case to Kim Kardashian, who has recently become involved in criminal justice reform efforts.
According to Rolling Stone, “Hold On” is the first of several new Max B songs coming later this year.
Listen to the song above and read all the lyrics to Max B’s “Hold On” featuring French Montana on Genius now.
