Max B

Charley Wingate, better known by his stage name Max B, is an American rapper, singer, and convicted criminal. He is best known for his solo Public Domain and Million Dollar Baby series of mixtapes.

Harlem's Max B defined an entire sonic wavelength before federal charges derailed his ascent, leaving behind a crystalline legacy built on melodic rap and the wavy production that would become hip-hop's dominant sound. His Million Dollar Baby and Public Domain mixtape series (2006-2007) established the template—sung hooks, spacious beats, and a conversational flow that prioritized mood over mechanics—that French Montana would amplify into mainstream dominance through the Coke Boys movement. Though Vigilante Season arrived in 2011 while Wingate served his sentence, Max B's influence persisted through mentees and producers who absorbed his atmospheric approach, making him one of hip-hop's most consequential invisible architects despite ranking low in direct collaborations.