Wexford-London rapper Maverick Sabre is taking a slice of both sides

Maverick Sabre has no problem mixing his Wexford ways with a growing reputation in UK rap culture, writes Ed Power

MICHAEL Stafford has been away. It’s three years since we last heard from the Wexford-London rapper, who performs pop-infused hip hop as Maverick Sabre. His new album, Innerstanding, was originally penciled in for release in mid-2014, but was put back so that he could fine-tune the record’s sound and feel. Thirty-six months is a long, long time in music. What if his audience had moved on?

“If they’ve hung around, great; if they haven’t, well I just have to stay creative,” he says with a Wexford accent sprinkled with the occasional London inflection. “I was scheduled to put out my first new single just after I’d finished touring my previous LP. I wasn’t in the mind-frame. I hope people have stayed with me. If not, well I have to push on anyway. You can’t sit around worrying about these things.”

The son of an Irish father and English mother, Stafford, 25, is hard to pin down. He was born in London, but grew up in New Ross, where he was educated. Aged 17, he moved to the UK to pursue a music career. He regards himself as a mix of two cultures and his accent can waver depending on the company (today I’m mostly getting the full Wexford burr, but in YouTube clips of Stafford hanging with other rappers, he sounds unambiguously British).

“You have people trying to Anglicise me, “ he says of the challenging of living with two identities. “I came back [to London] at 17. Obviously I’m Irish, because I went to school in Ireland.”

One issue in the UK is a reluctance to take seriously the concept of Irish people making hip-hop. Perhaps under the impression that Father Ted was documentary rather than satire, in the media and record industry the idea of Ireland engaging with a modern music genre is truly mind-blowing. It was a barrier to entry Stafford had to get past.

“People meet me and I’m not what they expect,” he says. “But when they hear my music and take the time to see what I’m about and where I come from… then, I think they understand.”

His rapping career started in New Ross. As a teenager, he gained some renown locally for his facility as a rhymer (Wexford has a healthy hip-hop scene). This led to high-profile support slots for touring stars. He would take the train to Dublin and open for 50 Cent, The Game and others.

Dublin rap crowds can be rowdy, so Stafford knew he was doing well when pint glasses stopped flying in his direction. He used to stand in the wings, rigid with nerves. Yet, when his moment came, he would stride out, often in front of a baying room, brimming with confidence. Where the self-belief came from he is not sure, but it was there and he did not question it.

This was how he crossed paths with up-and-coming Hackney rapper Plan B, who suggested Stafford return to London and start his career in earnest.

“I’m glad people find me hard to pin down,” he has said. “It has given me lots of room to manoeuvre. My voice allows me travel around, try different genres. I was raised in Ireland listening to folk and that influences me to this day. At the same time, my old sister was introducing me to all the urban music from London. I’m a mix of influences and I don’t want to settle down to any one sound.

“I really got into hip-hop aged 14/15. I became involved in the Irish hip-hop scene. It was a valuable education. Before that I’d played guitar. My dad was in a folk band and I picked up a lot from that. I was also into my reggae. It all went into the mix.”

In the UK his big break came via guest slots on releases by Chase and Status and Professor Green. Signed by Universal Records, his first single, ‘Let Me Go’ (2011) went Top 20 in the UK, with his profile further boosted by appearances on Later… With Jools Holland and a support tour with The Script.

“The fact the first record did well was a blessing,” he says, speaking through a heavy cold (our interview had been set back 24 hours to allow him recuperate). “I try not to focus on it too much. My first duty is to make music that is meaningful and interesting to me.”

Success can be double-edged he says. It’s inspiring to know people believe in what you are doing. At the same time, it’s important you don’t take things for granted.

“It definitely changed my life, but success forces you to sharpen your view of the world — and to sharpen by ourself. When people become successful in music, either they go with the flow or watch themselves and make sure they don’t lose their steadiness along the way.”

The new LP features cameos by Joey Bada$$ and Chronixx. This is a departure from his modus. On Lonely Are The Brave he avoided collaboration, feeling it was important the entirety of the record be in his voice. Second time out, he has relaxed his stance.

“I wanted that first record to be entirely my perspective. Also, I couldn’t find anyone who fit the tone and the message of my music. Since then, I’ve connected with various performers, in particular Chronixx and Joey. It’s a brotherly friendship: I’ve been on their records, they’re on mine.”

He tries to get home as often as he can. This is sometimes easier said than done. There have been periods where he’s been all over the world, but hasn’t had time to return to Wexford. It is something he is trying to address, understanding that he is as much inspired by the Irish part of his identity as by the English.

“It’s only across the water,” he says, “but you travel so much that you forget. It’s important for me to get back there when I have the opportunity. I’ve made a really conscious effort to do that lately.”

Innerstanding is released October 30