Maverick Sabre

Born between Hackney and County Wexford, Michael Stafford, also known as Maverick Sabre, has built a career spanning Ireland and London, returning in the late 2000s to pursue his music career. His husky, supple voice sits in a blend of soul, contemporary R&B, hip-hop, and fusion reggae, with writing that draws as much on singing as on rap phrasing. He first becomes known within the circle of Irish rap before releasing his own tracks and a mixtape, then collaborates with artists such as Professor Green and Chase & Status, anchoring him in grime, British hip-hop, and urban pop-soul scenes. His debut album Lonely Are the Brave appeared in 2012, followed by Innerstanding in 2015, When I Wake Up in 2019, Don't Forget to Look Up in 2022 and Burn the Right Things Down in 2024. Over these records, Maverick Sabre evolves his range toward more stripped-back productions or ones more rooted in Jamaican rhythms, while keeping a song-centered writing approach. Among his collaborations are notably Jorja Smith, with whom he has a long-standing connection, as well as Chronixx, in a trajectory that links British soul, reggae, and urban song.