West London’s p-rallel has been dishing out summer-destined, dancefloor-headed UKG delights for over half a decade now, since 2017 debut single “Cold”. In the process, he’s clocked up an impressive CV of collaborators featuring some of the city’s most scintillating stars, not least Man About TownAW22 cover star Louis Culture, plus the likes of Rachel Chinouriri and Lava La Rue. However, “[I would love to collaborate next] probably with someone my fans or I have never heard of,” he tells us. “Someone completely unfazed by the music industry and who just makes music for fun… I wanna get back to those days.”

Such a desire is emblematic of the DIY, close-to-home spirit at the heart of his M.O – he recently recorded the visuals for “It’s a LUNDUN Thing” while staging a results day party for local school students. And, this era of his artistry, leading up to upcoming mixtape “Movement”, is a love-letter to his garage and 2-step roots, community, jubilation and the legacy of the genre’s forerunners. That influence came courtesy of his family too – his father was a DJ and p-rallel drank in much of his early musical consumptions sat under his decks while he performed.

Head below to read our chat with p-rallel on carnival, the tracks that have been getting him through the summer, and his one goal to achieve before 2023 is out…

Hey p-rallel! How are you? We heard you’ve been on the road! Where are we chatting to you from?
West London! Back home now for a couple weeks.

We heard also that you recently played new track “It’s a LUNDUN Thing” at Notting Hill Carnival! Tell us more about why that made the perfect backdrop for this one.
I threw a mini pre carnival link up on results day for the kids and simultaneously shot the visualiser for the track at the same time. This track’s just all about what ‘Lundun’ is about in my eyes and just expressing it with everyone else.

We’ve been graced with string of singles from you this year and now we know there’s a new EP on the way too! Can you sum up what the mission statement is at the moment with the work you’re releasing?
p-rallel is a black London-born and raised music producer is who making electronic music for the dance floor. For the kids that might not have been exposed to the UKG and House sound from back In the days. I’m giving them my take on what I grew up on and what good dance music sounds like.

The summer days might sadly be dwindling, but as an expert maker of sunshine-destined bangers yourself, what’s been on your playlist on the warmer days this year?
“My Paradise” & “Loose My Mind” by Jamie Jones.
“I Saw U” by Swank Mami
“Southern Freeez” by Freeez

We loved reading about how your dad, a DJ himself, has been a key influence in the music you’ve been making lately. Can you tell us some more about the memories you have of experiencing music with your dad?
My parents couldn’t always get baby sitters so I would either be sitting or sleeping under the decks or sleeping in the car. I wouldn’t take it back. Most of the time I’ll know the lyrics to songs but I have no clue what they’re called or who sang them!

You’ve already clocked up major career milestones, but it feels like the best is yet to come on the p-rallel journey. What would you say your idea of achieving success with your work looks like?
Success is me being able to live off this in the most healthiest way possible… everything else is extra.

Finally, what’s one goal you’d like to tick off before 2023 is out?
Sell out Fabric on October 8th, Tickets out now!