Eerf Evil and Maverick Sabre Explore Self Knowledge on ‘Know Yourself’

South London rapper, community organiser and cultural producer Eerf Evil joins forces with acclaimed singer songwriter Maverick Sabre on ‘Know Yourself’, a thoughtful new collaboration released via grassroots label ROOT 73 Records.

Blending jazz infused melodies, soulful instrumentation and honest lyricism, the track explores the idea that understanding the world around us begins with a deeper understanding of ourselves. For Eerf Evil, self knowledge is closely connected to personal growth, healing and the search for clarity, themes that sit at the heart of his evolving artistry.

Hackney born and Ireland raised Maverick Sabre brings his distinctive soul vocals to the collaboration, weaving melodic flourishes through Eerf’s jazz rap foundations. The contrast between their approaches creates a track that feels both intimate and expansive, allowing the song’s central message to unfold without losing its musical warmth.

Speaking on the track, Eerf states: ‘In the words of Marcus Garvey, “when a man becomes the possessor of full knowledge of himself, he is a master of his environment”. ‘Know Yourself’ is really about how we can spend time growing, healing, especially in a world that doesn’t allow.’

That focus on self understanding is particularly fitting for an artist whose work has consistently connected personal expression with the wider experiences of his community.

Raised in Norwood, Eerf Evil has spent more than a decade developing his own space within UK hip hop. His early relationship with rap eventually evolved into an interest in jazz influenced hip hop, helping shape the sound that now defines his solo work.

As co founder of hip hop and jazz collective The Silhouettes Project, Eerf has helped take his music and community to some of the UK’s most celebrated stages, including Glastonbury, We Out Here, Cross The Tracks and Brick Lane Jazz Festival.

His creative philosophy extends well beyond performing. Eerf believes that ‘the artist’s role is to speak on behalf of their community’, an ethos that is evident throughout ‘Know Yourself’. The track may begin with an inward looking question, but its message ultimately extends into something larger, connecting individual growth with the communities and environments that help shape us.

That community first approach also runs through Eerf’s work away from music. As Head of Youth Programmes at the Centre for Knowledge Equity, he develops intergenerational initiatives addressing the social, economic and structural injustices faced by young people.

His latest work continues that commitment through Each One Teach One: Building The Dance, a dedicated initiative taking music and sound system building workshops directly into British youth clubs. Alongside this, Eerf is launching OURCHIVE, The Youth Future Storytelling Fund, designed to support young people in working class communities across the UK and create opportunities for them to tell their stories on their own terms.

It is this combination of music, identity and community that gives ‘Know Yourself’ its wider significance. The song is rooted in personal reflection, but it arrives from an artist who understands that individual experiences do not exist in isolation.

Eerf adds: ‘It’s not just about rap, it’s about being in my community every day to make sure my people are good. Rap allows me to communicate in real time what’s going on for my people.’

Released through ROOT 73 Records, the label arm of the ROOT 73 organisation, ‘Know Yourself’ also represents an important moment for an independent platform committed to artist development, grassroots culture and youth empowerment. The organisation has previously supported artists including ENNY and The Silhouettes Project, while its wider work focuses on creating opportunities for emerging talent and young people.

For Eerf Evil, the release offers another glimpse into an artist whose creative world cannot be separated from the people and places that surround him. His music carries the influence of South London, jazz, hip hop and lived experience, while his wider work demonstrates a continued commitment to giving his community space to create and be heard.

With his debut solo project set to follow later this year, ‘Know Yourself’ provides a compelling introduction to the next stage of Eerf Evil’s journey. Joined by Maverick Sabre, he delivers a track that asks a deceptively simple question while opening up a much bigger conversation about identity, growth, healing and what it really means to understand yourself.

For an artist committed to speaking from within his community rather than simply observing it, ‘Know Yourself’ feels like a natural next step.

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