 Maxinquaye is the debut album by English rapper and producer Tricky . After starting his music career in Bristol 's club scene , Tricky became a frequent collaborator with Massive Attack in the early 1990s . He rapped and wrote songs for the group while maturing as a lyricist ; his themes of sex and gang violence eventually evolved into more introspective , personal lyrics . He soon found his role with the group limiting and wanted to record an album with a female vocalist whose singing would offer his songwriting another dimension . Tricky discovered singer Martina Topley @-@ Bird , with whom he formed both a musical and romantic relationship , before signing a recording contract with 4th & B 'way Records in 1993 . 
