Maverick Sabre interview: 'Innerstanding is about me learning again'

Maverick Sabre made a name for himself as a breakout star back in 2012 with the release of his debut album, Lonely Are The Brave.

Fans were then left to anticipate his next project for nearly three years, until the Hackney local announced the title of his new album, Innerstanding.

“I took two years off from the last record to travel, be inspired and grow." Sabre explains. "I found out more about myself and the world.

“I named the album Innerstanding because it was not about understanding or overstanding, it was an inside thing. There was something inside me that I needed to get grip of and ‘innerstand’.

“I thought I knew everything about myself and around me but I didn't, so this second album was the start of learning again.”

The singer’s global travels influenced not only his world view, but also the musical content of the album.

“The places that impacted me the most were Jamaica and South Africa and I got to work with some great South African musicians,” he reveals.

Sabre has been very strict about who he has collaborated with over the years – a consideration which he has continued in his work for the second album. After providing his smooth vocals on Joe Bada$$’s song On and On from the rapper’s debut album B4DA$$, the gesture is set to be returned on Sabre’s LP.

“I can't collaborate with people unless they fit my energy, so I have Joey on there along with Chronixx, who’s become established in the Jamaican scene.

He adds: “I’d love to do something with Alicia Keys and Erykah Badu.”

Sabre has explored different styles of music from dubstep to R&B, but stated that he doesn't like to tie himself to one particular style of music.

"I don't like to class my music as a certain genre because it's restrictive,” Sabre says. “I'm a soul voice with a hip hop head."

Innerstanding will be released in September