Mansur Brown is the definition of a prodigy: his music is a balance of virtuosic precision and deft expression of emotion. His flamenco-inspired compositional approach sees him blending Timbaland’s fast-paced early 00s rhythm, afrobeats swing and Burial’s melancholic sound design.

The guitar remains at the centre of Mansur Brown music, but it is by no means the only component. Straddling the roles of songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, records like 2021’s Heiwa see him grappling with keyboards, flute and saxophone – and even singing. The British guitarist deftly explores the influence of hip-hop innovator Timbaland and afrobeats artists such as Burna Boy and Wizkid. His dream? To protect his originality and independence. That’s why he set up his own label AMAI (‘sweet’ in Japanese): “Being able to start a label, in this climate where everything’s in a box, it gives me the freedom to innovate and explore concepts; to do it my way”.