Biography
Max Renier Nijman (Moengo, Suriname, 18 March 1941 - 19 January 2016), Suriname's "Soulman Number One", was a Surinamese singer. He sang mainly ballads in the local 'Sranan Tongo' ("Surinamese tongue"). Many of his songs are classics on his home soil.
Nijman has performed with The Mighty Sparrow, Wilson Pickett, Brook Benton, Johnny Nash and Ben E. King, amongst many others. In 1975 he released his debut album Katibo on the Dureco label with soul, kaseko, latin and reggae as its musical ingredients and lyrics in Surinamese, Dutch and English. 'Katibo', 'Adjossi' and 'Ai Sranan' became his most loved hits. This formula was continued on the albums Wan Lobi Dei and Ini Wan Dje on which Nijman collaborated with the producer Stan Lokhin (and members of The Happy Boys).