Born Kevin Max Smith and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kevin Max is an American Christian singer, songwriter, and poet. Max had his name legally shortened to “Kevin Max” to avoid confusion with American filmmaker Kevin Smith. Max is best known for being a member of the Christian rap/rock trio dc Talk alongside TobyMac and Michael Tait. Since their departure in 2000, Max has released eight studio albums, 10 EPs, and a Christmas album as a solo artist in addition to a studio album with the Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline.

Max has shown interest and talent in music since his early years and quickly acquired an appreciation for the arts, primarily music. Renowned for his unusual vibrato and multiple octave range, his voice grabbed attention immediately.

His musical platform began to grow throughout his high school years at Grand Rapids Baptist High School (now NorthPointe Christian High School) and followed him to college at Liberty University. There, he started a band called ‘Connection’ and was known on campus as ‘The Rock Singer,’ which is later referenced in his song “Return of the Singer.” Max was dismissed from the college after the first semester of his freshman year for unknown reasons. However, he returned the following semester and shortly thereafter joined dc Talk.

The trio achieved worldwide success in both the Christian and mainstream markets. They released five studio albums, one live album, three EPs, 23 singles, and 10 compilations, earning them four Grammy Awards, 16 GMA Dove Awards, among several others. The trio decided to take an “intermission” in 2000.

From 2001 to 2012, Max released music as a solo artist, making his debut with 2001’s Stereotype Be. The album was praised for its combination of pop, rock, and world, and marked Max as a unique music artist with a particular style and sound. Even though the album received positive reviews from fans and critics alike, it didn’t do well financially, which led him to be dropped from ForeFront Records.

Since then, Max has built a new reputation for himself through live shows and word of mouth. He went on to release multiple projects independently as well as on indie labels.

From 2012 to 2014, Max was the lead singer of Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline and was a part of their 2013 release Kings & Queens.

Max has maintained status as a solo artist with a consistent sound of alternative rock with his recognizable angel-like voice as he releases both original songs as well as cover songs.

In 2017, it was announced that Max would rejoin TobyMac and Michael Tait for a few dc Talk reunion shows, most of which would take place as part of a cruise known as the Jesus Freak Cruise. It has since become an annual tradition for the three of them to perform together for the cruise alongside Newsboys other artists from TobyMac’s label Gotee Records including Capital Kings, Hollyn, Aaron Cole, among others.

Kevin Max currently lives in Nashville, TN, with his second wife Amanda Lynn MacDonald and their four kids: London Ava Kay Max, Wilder Liam Max, Knightly Christobal Max, and Lady Charlotte Max. Max was previously betrothed to Alayna Bennett in 1997, but the two divorced in 2003. Max married Amanda in a secret wedding but had a public ceremony later on. Max has also authored several poems and four books, three of which are poetry books.