The other night, I joined Houston rapper Maxo Kream at the studio while he laid down takes for some upcoming tracks, one of which, he mentioned, would feature Travis Scott. When I first arrived, the room was low-key, just a small circle of friends and collaborators. But as the session rolled on, it became clear just how magnetic Maxo is, industry folks, local artists, and longtime friends filtered in between takes, turning the quiet room into a vibrant, ever-changing scene.
It was a fitting reflection of who Maxo is: a sharp lyricist and street poet with deep roots in his community and an ever-expanding presence in rap. Maxo grew up in Southwest Houston’s Alief neighborhood, a place that features heavily in his music. His breakout 2018 album Punken showcased his gripping storytelling and set the stage for his upcoming work Brandon Banks, where he is exploring family dynamics and his late father’s influence.
That night, Maxo kept circling back to a track-in-progress called “Murder Block,” a heavy, brooding piece he demoed over and over. Between takes, we spoke about how his latest work reflects both the pain and pressure of surviving and carrying legacies that aren’t always easy to hold. The session made it clear: Maxo’s not just rapping to flex, he’s rapping to process, to document, and to remember.
