Maxi Priest no pot-smoking hippy

Maxi Priest wants the world to know the new generation of reggae performers are professionals, with a sharp eye for business.

"The majority of leading reggae artists today don't even smoke (marijuana)," said Priest from London.

"We have been through that stigma. We went through that in Bob Marley's day.

"My generation kind of wanted to get rid of that and make people focus on the fact that we make music and can do some business."

That said, Priest has no objection to people enjoying themselves.

"But hey, there ain't nothing wrong with that," he said.

"It is what it is. I don't do it myself but if that is somebody's prerogative then do your thing, man."

Priest is Britain's highest selling reggae artist and the world's second most successful reggae singer, behind Bob Marley.

"Damn, that feels brilliant," he said when reminded of his successes.

"I met Bob once, that was at a concert in Crystal Palace. I was just young in the business then."

Priest will perform just two shows in Australia next month, playing Sydney's Enmore Theatre on December 9 before heading to Melbourne to play the Forum.

The singer last visited the country four years ago.

"There will be a lot of stuff from the past and a few things from the present," Priest, 43, said.

"It is spiritual, cultural, lovable, fun music. It is music that has always been there and always will be."

Priest, born Max Elliott, is known as the King of Lovers Rock.

He splits his time between London and New York and has worked with some of the industry's best known including Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Roberta Flack and Shabba Ranks.

"I have got taller," he said when asked how he had changed over the years.

"It is the stuff I use man. I have just grown up, I don't know.

"I am more experienced and a little bit wiser."

Priest most recently released 2 The Max, his 11th album.

The performer said it was a relief to be able to go back to basics with the album.

"I have gone back to basics, traditional stuff.

"It was a breath of fresh air really to be able to do something and not have to stress myself about looking for a number one hit.

"I am not chasing the charts and that is refreshing."