At first it was not entirely clear who or what Tricky actually was. It later became clear that it was the pseudonym of Adrian Thaws, a musician with Jamaican roots who grew up in Bristol, England. After a life as a petty criminal, the talented rapper came under the care of Massive Attack. That group had made a name for itself from 1990 with innovative dance music. Tricky followed the musical path
… of Massive Attack but only went a few steps further. The dark beats, dubechos, half-sung raps of Tricky and the sensual voice of his sweetheart Martina Topley-Bird ensured that Maxinquaye ended high in the 1995 year lists. Maxinquaye's booklet is full of collage-like art and that associative and sketchy character also characterizes the music on Maxinquaye. Later, this colossal debut album would hang around Tricky's neck like a millstone, although he proved to be able to release enough relevant material in the years that followed. (PdK)more
