We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maximus Perez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maximus below.

Maximus, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The fear of risk. The hardest part about accomplishing your dreams is the first step. The first step is a big risk that’s filled with uncertainty and fear. For me starting as a musical artist I was for a long time stuck with the fear of criticism. What if someone doesn’t like my music? What if someone doesn’t agree with my message? What if I am not cut out to produce a product worth listening to? Posting a song for the world is a scary thing. Leaving the decision of your time, creativity, and talents up to the resolve of the listener. For me it was terrifying. But risk also brings about something superior to fear. That is potential. When you take a leap of faith in your dreams, aspirations, your deepest desires for what you want out of life, you open yourself to a whole new world of possibility. My first 3 song EP was released in May of last year and never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined for my music to touch the ears of thousands upon thousands of people all across the world. I never would have thought my music would be able to make it to radio stations. Never would I have thought I would be getting stories of how something I made could impact someone’s life. That people would take time out of their day to hear what I have to say. All this would never have come to fruition unless I had taken a risk. “The biggest risk a person can take is to do nothing” Robert Kiyosaki

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Maximus Perez but you might know me by my artist name 2LY. I am 20 years old originally hailing from El Paso, Texas I found myself carving out a new life in the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, Israel. It was here amongst the bustling streets and diverse cultures that my journey as a rapper truly began. Inspired by my surroundings and fueled by a desire to trailblaze a new path in the Christian Rap World. I’ve dedicated myself throughout the last year to craft a new kind of Christian music, one that’s fresh and unapologetically modern. Growing up it wasn’t always easy. I began to find a deep love for music at a very young age. Music for myself and many others is an open door to being vulnerable with your emotions. Although born in El Paso I spent my formative years growing up in inner city Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In a neighborhood known for its high crime rate and dysfunction. Here is where I caught my first glance at how messed up and how amazing people can be. I’ve seen people take lives and people save lives all within the same city block. I’ve seen the world in all its complexity, the beauty and the struggle, the light and the darkness. My music is a reflection of my experiences, the highs and the lows, the victories and the defeats. But above all, it’s a testament to the power of faith to overcome even the greatest of obstacles. The desire to make a difference and impact through music began to expand even more so as soon as I moved to Israel. Being in a new culture, a new environment opens your eyes to how we aren’t all that much different. We all have the same struggles, the same hopes, and aspirations as the people thousands of miles away. Music in my opinion is a unique gate where no matter where you are and where you come from you can be touched or moved. There is something special about the feeling you get when your favorite song comes on. The feeling is like no other. I set out to create that same feeling, Using my music to give people that outlet where even for three minutes they can escape. The Christian Music Industry as of now is still in its infancy. And for me growing up I had never found a Christian artist that made music that connected to me or captured the ambient atmosphere I was looking for. I pride myself on making my music an experience. From the prelude to the resolution making something that is a journey of sound and message. Psalm 40:3 – “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The most crucial part of being an artist is learning to take criticism. Criticism never comes easy when it is directed at something you put real work and real effort into. To be the best artist I could be, I began putting my music out to be critiqued. Sure enough, the first review completely shot me back down to earth, I had just released my first three-song EP and had a flood of positive reviews. But then I had true honesty from someone who had earned the right to say what he really felt. Originally I did not take to this critique as I should have. I shrugged it off as a hater or someone who didn’t understand my music. But there is sometimes a grain of truth in a statement that’s hard to swallow. Nevertheless, when I took time away to process I found that this person was right, I was trying to be something I am not. I was trying to do what was popular and easy to do. Nothing good comes easy. As an artist, we all talk about the moment when you find your “Sound”. For me, it was the very next time I stepped in front of the mic. I wouldn’t have accomplished that great milestone if I hadn’t been able to see past my pride and take the critique. Criticism gives you the avenue to grow exponentially. Some people definitely know more than me and some people don’t. But approaching criticism with an open mind gives you the advantage to see past the hate if that’s all it is, or find the moment where you can succeed.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are a lot of people like myself who are unable to express emotions through just words. Knowing what music has been able to do for me I consider it an honor if anyone can find that same feeling through something I can create. Music is special in the fact that it is driven by emotion. Even if there are no words attached it is still able to make you feel something, I never thought that I could impact someone in the way my music can. Seeing posts and videos of friends, family, and strangers enjoying my music is the best thing as an artist. Scrolling through Tik Tok seeing someone using my music on their ride to work or a get ready with me as simple as it is brings me an immense amount of joy and gratitude, There is no better feeling than seeing your hard work and effort be realized,

Contact Info:

• Instagram: max_2ly_perez
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Max-Perez/pfbid022a6Nyngpnv1zUEj5F7eRdSkVQdo6JidrWDgiRiWe3k57YPta41TdygsvAtPDNGfel/?mibextid=dGKdO6
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOuVX8W_jHdsYIFNjMKbfgg
• Other: Link for instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_2ly_perez/?igsh=cWoxZWdzbHl6aWZx&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Alex Rueda