Maroon 5 is an American pop-rock band from Los Angeles, originally formed in 1994 as Kara’s Flowers. The members met in high school and released their debut album The Fourth World in 1997, which met with limited success. In 2001, guitarist James Valentine joined the group and the band rebranded as Maroon 5, shifting to a funk-infused pop-rock sound.
Their breakout came in 2002 with Songs About Jane, featuring singles like “This Love,” “She Will Be Loved,” and “Harder to Breathe,” which made them a global sensation and earned them a Grammy for Best New Artist. They followed with It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (2007) and Hands All Over (2010); the latter was rejuvenated by the smash hit “Moves Like Jagger” featuring Christina Aguilera.
Subsequent albums Overexposed (2012) and V (2014) cemented their mainstream status, with catchy singles such as “Payphone,” “One More Night,” “Sugar,” and “Maps,” showcasing layered production and pop trends.
Their 2017 album Red Pill Blues included the chart-topping “Girls Like You” featuring Cardi B. In 2021, they released Jordi, an album dedicated to their late manager and featuring numerous high-profile collaborations, though it received mixed feedback for lacking emotional resonance.
In 2025, the band announced their eighth studio album Love Is Like, set for release on August 15. This record marks a return to in-house songwriting and includes collaborations with Lil Wayne, Sexyy Red, and Thai rapper Lisa. Its lead single “Priceless” has already charted on the Billboard Hot 100 worldwide.
Maroon 5’s current lineup includes Adam Levine (lead vocals), Jesse Carmichael (guitar/keyboards), James Valentine (lead guitar), P.J. Morton (keyboards), Sam Farrar (bass), and Matt Flynn (drums). With tens of millions of albums sold and countless global hits, Maroon 5 remains a defining force in 21st-century pop music.
