Maanu | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Rehman Afshar |
| Born | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Origin | Lahore, Pakistan |
| Genres | R&B, hip hop, pop, electronic |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Website | Maanu YouTube channel |
Rehman Afshar, better known as Maanu, is a Pakistani singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer from Lahore. Known for his blend of R&B, hip-hop, [1] and electronic music, he has emerged as a prominent figure in Pakistan's contemporary music industry. [2]
Born and raised in Lahore, Maanu began learning piano at age eight and later picked up the guitar. Initially planning to study medicine, he eventually opted to pursue music and enrolled at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). [3] During a gap year before university, he began writing and producing music, eventually working with producer Jamal Rehman at True Brew Records. [4] [5]
Maanu began releasing music in 2018. His debut EP, Yain City (2020), received acclaim for its fusion of Pakistani musical elements with modern R&B and hip-hop production. He followed up with another EP, Sakuna Matata, in 2022. [6]
In 2024, he performed in Coke Studio Season 15 with singer Annural Khalid on the track "Jhol", which became the most-streamed Pakistani song of the year. [7]
Maanu has worked with several Pakistani artists including Taha G, Ali Sethi, Abdullah Siddiqui, Shae Gill, Talal Qureshi, Turhan James, and Hasan Raheem. He is also known for performing in character as "Chotus", a humorous alter ego featured in music videos and live performances. [5] [8]