Meet Maximo Reyes | Rapper, Actor, Writer & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maximo Reyes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maximo, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been a creative at heart—music and film were my first loves. As a kid, I’d spend hours creating epic storylines for my G.I. Joes and Transformers, imagining whole worlds and storylines.My older cousin Kenny fueled my creativity even further by sharing his comics, feeding my inner “nerd” and growing my imagination. But I didn’t realize how much I’d come to rely on this outlet until my father was incarcerated when I was barely 15.

Everything changed when my father was incarcerated, and my life felt like it was spiraling into chaos. My family and I were forced to leave New York, the only home I’d ever known, and start over in Puerto Rico. It was a tough adjustment, and during that time, I leaned heavily on music, movies, and TV to escape my ever changing reality.

I finished high school through a private program in San Juan when I was 16 and went straight into the workforce, getting a taste of money and independence while still living under my mother’s roof. When my mom remarried, we relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota and once again, music grounded me through every transition. Once I turned 18, I chose to stay there and attend the University of Minnesota, which seemed like a stable path in an otherwise shifting world. But New York was always calling me back, and every visit home brought me closer to my cousin Johnny, who was also exploring music. He helped me find my voice as a rapper, even though I had doubts.

In my last semester of senior year I landed an internship with MTV Networks and moved back to New York. I approached my corporate career with a strategy. I was building connections and experience, using each opportunity as a stepping stone to get closer to my creative aspirations, even as I doubted myself for years to come. But the real turning point came with the birth of my daughter, Khali Rose. Becoming a father reignited something in me. It made me realize that I didn’t want to keep my dreams on hold—I wanted to live them, to set an example for her. After all, how could I look her in the eyes and tell her that she can be whatever she wants to be, if I wasn’t doing the same?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work is deeply personal and constantly evolving. I’m still on this journey, uncovering new layers of the human experience, and that’s what I love about being an artist—exploring and pushing myself to grow. It wasn’t an easy road to fully committing to my dreams, though. For years, I wrestled with self-doubt, even as my cousin Johnny encouraged me to put my music out there. He believed in me long before I believed in myself.

I spent 15 years in corporate America, a path where I felt overlooked and held back, constantly battling the feeling that I wasn’t where I was meant to be. Eventually, I took a leap and took over Kazza Wine Bar in our old neighborhood of Washington Heights, hoping to carve out my own space and build something in my community. But the venture failed, and I lost everything. As hard as that was, it taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, grit, and having the confidence to rebuild.

Then, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico. My family needed me, so I moved there to help them rebuild. That year was one of the hardest times in my life—I felt lost and weighed down by failure, spending days on the beach, just trying to process it all. But Puerto Rico has its own rhythm and spirit of resilience, something that connected deeply with me as a New Yorker. Slowly, it revived my drive. I started writing music again, even started rapping in Spanish, pouring everything I was feeling into it. In those dark days, my phone’s light was sometimes all I had, but those were the moments that brought me back to life. Johnny’s encouragement kept me going, and the determination of the people around me inspired me to keep creating.

When I came back to New York, I returned with a new hunger, and that hunger eventually led me to Los Angeles. And after my daughter was born, LA became fertile ground for me as an artist, where I could finally find the space to fully commit to my creative vision. Shortly after, my father was released after 26 years in prison. My sister, Eliana and I decided to document our family’s reunion in the Dominican Republic, and that turned into our first film, Vida Nueva. It was the perfect way to introduce my music to the world through the Vida Nueva EP soundtrack—a project that felt like a culmination of everything I’d been through.

I want people to know that my story, my roots, and my art is what sets me apart. I’m a New Yorker raised on Hip Hop, inspired by storytelling, and grounded in my Caribbean heritage. I’m here to represent the Afro-Latino experience, to bring a mature, authentic voice to my music, acting, writing and to show that no matter how many setbacks you face, you can rise again..

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love LA—this city has been good to me, giving me the freedom to explore my creativity. LA has become my canvas, and one of my favorite aspects of living here is the food scene. It’s like a food lover’s paradise, where everything is fresh, and we often get the trends before anyone else. You can find anything here, from authentic mom-and-pop spots to inventive pop-ups, and there’s something for every diet and tastebud.

If I were to create an itinerary for a visit, we’d start by grabbing brunch at The Butcher, The Baker, and The Cappuccino Maker. This spot is a must, with its great vibe and standout cappuccinos and brunch menu.

For a chill afternoon, The Woods is perfect. It’s one of my favorite places to light up a joint, relax, and just take in the “giggle garden” vibe—it’s a unique cannabis experience that’s hard to beat. and its owned by Woody Harrelson.

For evening vibes, we’d hit up Laurel Hardware. This spot has that quintessential LA feel—a mix of trendy and laid-back, with a lively atmosphere and great cocktails. It’s the perfect place to soak up the energy of the city.

LA is such a diverse and vibrant city, from food to cannabis culture to the arts. There’s so much to experience, and every spot has its own unique twist, making each visit feel like an adventure.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Besides my parents, my sister Eliana, Glori and my daughter, I owe a lot to my best friend, cousin, and fellow artist, Johnny (J. Mcfly) Medina, who was taken far too soon from us this past summer. Johnny was more than family; he was instrumental in helping me find my voice, both as a rapper and as a human. He believed in me and my talent before anyone else even knew I could rap. I would write verses, constantly wondering, “What would Johnny think of this?” or eagerly anticipating the moment I could share new music with with him.

We dreamed big together—talking about world tours, fashion brands, and everything in between. It pains me that he didn’t get his chance to live out those dreams. So now, I feel a personal responsibility to make sure his legacy lives on, to take those dreams forward for him.

Recently, we released a tribute EP, Lambo Music Vol 13, using AI technology to resurrect vocal stems from Johnny’s old freestyles. Working with his longtime producer, Nove One, we created new production around those vocals to reintroduce Johnny to new fans and honor his legacy with those who knew him best. This project is more than music; it’s my way of ensuring Johnny’s impact and his voice live on.

Website: https://www.maximoreyes.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yosoymaximoreyes/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Caliroserecords/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Maxreyes

Image Credits
Jackson Davis