The Myth and Magic of Max B’s Harlem
For native New Yorkers above the age of 30, Max Biggaveli is as endemic to Harlem as the Apollo Theater.
Max Biggaveli, born Charley Wingate on May 21, 1978, emerged in 2005 with “G’s Up,” quickly becoming a defining figure in Harlem’s cultural landscape. His persona was characterized by a distinctive blend of lyrical skill, audacious claims, and a meticulous attention to personal style. His moniker, Biggaveli, itself a homage to Tupac Shakur’s Makaveli persona, Jay-Z’s “Jigga”, and The Notorious B.I.G.’s original stage name, Biggie Smalls, signaled his theatrical flair.
The Wavy Icon
Before the widespread use of internet memes, Max B’s quotable one-liners, like “You not wavier than the wavy man,” resonated with fans and spread through platforms like YouTube and WorldStarHipHop, solidifying his influence throughout the 2010s, and beyond. He is credited with popularizing the term “wavy” as slang.
Navigating the Harlem Music Scene
By 2008, Max B faced public disagreements with Jim Jones of the Diplomats, after years of contributing to the melodies and songwriting for Jones and Cam’ron. A legal situation involving a robbery led to Max B’s imprisonment, and Jones reportedly bailed him out in exchange for Max’s publishing rights. Jones later secured a major label deal with Columbia Records, partially based on a hook written by Max B for the song “We Fly High.”
Collaborations and Cult Classics
During this period, Max B began collaborating with French Montana, a rising rapper from the Bronx, on a mixtape series called Coke Wave, which significantly increased Montana’s visibility. He as well released the cult classics “Sexy Love” and “She Touched it In Miami.”
Harlem’s Changing Landscape
Max B’s story unfolds against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Harlem. The neighborhood has experienced significant gentrification since the early 2000s, transforming from a historically Black community into one increasingly appealing to higher-income renters. Cam’ron, another prominent Harlem figure, has expressed feeling disconnected from the neighborhood he grew up in, noting the loss of community and the increasing need for permission to film in locations he once frequented. The Apollo Theater, a landmark of Harlem’s cultural history, has also evolved, becoming a tourist attraction alongside its role as a performance venue.
As of February 25, 2026, Max B has been released from prison and has the opportunity to engage with a Harlem that no longer exists as he once knew it.