International recording star and Grammy Award nominee Maxi Priest has officially signed a global management agreement with Birmingham-based EVO Music Management, the company behind the management of legendary reggae band UB40.

Two of the genre's most influential names come together under the major new partnership, with support from live specialists CAA and Big Wave.

The agreement marks a promising new chapter for the recording artist, whose unmistakable voice and groundbreaking fusion of reggae, lovers rock, R&B, and pop has seen him become one of the most successful British-Jamaican recording artists of all time.

Under the deal, UK-based EVO will work alongside Maxi Priest to develop and oversee his international career portfolio, including recorded music, live touring, brand partnerships, commercial opportunities, and long-term artistic development.

Best known for international hits including ‘Close to You’, ‘Wild World’, ‘That Girl’ (featuring Shaggy) and ‘Housecall’ (with Shabba Ranks), Maxi Priest has enjoyed more than four decades at the forefront of popular music, building an enduring following across the United Kingdom, United States, Jamaica, the Caribbean, and beyond.

His signature hit ‘Close to You’ reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1990, establishing him among the few reggae artists to achieve that milestone. 

The singer has received three Grammy Award nominations for Best Reggae Album, most recently for 2019's It All Comes Back to Love, produced in collaboration with fellow Jamaican music superstar Shaggy.

The new agreement with EVO is the latest development in a longstanding musical affiliation between Maxi Priest and UB40, whose own remarkable career has seen the global reggae stars sell more than 100 million records worldwide.

Maxi Priest joined UB40 and Aswad on the band's 2026 Unstoppable UK arena tour, bringing together three celebrated names in British reggae for audiences across the country.