OCULATE UK - DIGITAL COVER 004 - JUNE 2025

P-RALLEL: " I WANT TO CONSTANTLY BE RELEASING AND DJING, HAVING FUN WITH WHAT I’M DOING."

MONDAY 2ND JUNE 2025

WORDS BY BEN BROYD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HARRY MCCULLOCH

One of the most exciting forces in the new wave of British electronic music, west-London born-and-bred p-rallel has been tearing it up for years. With his unique approach to production, and live sets that are fire from start to finish, he has been channeling London’s spirit in everything he does. Recently bringing this spirit to a global scale, there is a magic to p-rallel. Dance music runs through his blood, and everything else that runs through him is a passion to keep driving the scene forward.

It wasn’t always plain sailing, however, despite growing up around the UK hip-hop scene and attending house parties, p-rallel never felt aligned with the genres that surrounded him. Knowing his allegiance always belonged to electronic music, p-rallel emerged and took the scene by storm, thanks to observing others, his own personal determination and countless hours in the studio. In 2020 he shared his breakout EP ‘Soundboy’ that boasted vocals from the likes of Greentea Peng and NAYANA IZ of Nine8 Collective, a project that generated mass hype around the artist. Moving forward with confidence, he then shared its successor ‘Forward’ in 2022 which featured the likes of Rachel Chinouriri, Jeshi, Jords, and Sam Wise. As he quickly became one of the hottest names in production, a momentum was forming behind p-rallel at a rapid rate.

There’s now a sense that the artist is constructing a world bigger than music, and exploring a deeper meaning within it. Through his recent EP ‘Can’t Be Me’, he’s encouraging others to be themselves and enabling confidence, whilst simultaneously expanding his sound to new heights. With the promise of more new music, teased to feature some of the most exciting talents in the industry from the UK rap scene and beyond, p-rallel is stepping things up again. Pushing into a sound that builds through the classic tones of UKG, and interludes of house-infused elements, p-rallel is sure to continue elevating his status on a global scale.

With a hugely-anticipated takeover at The Cause in July, his new single ‘Blessings’ with Sam Deeley out today, and a new project arriving imminently, p-rallel is set for a monumental year.

We spoke to the young multi-creative about secret Glastonbury sets, new music & collaborations, his recent EP ‘Can’t Be Me’, and who he’s most excited about in the scene.

What’s been happening in your world, and how have you found the reception to your recently released music?

Not bad, not bad, releases have been going well bro, I can’t complain. It’s doing what it needs to do.

It’s said that your recently released music has closed the gap between where you want to be as a DJ and an artist. What's the end goal of where you want to get to with your sound?

There is no end goal really bro, I’m just making music and having fun with it. I don’t feel like there is an end because I want to constantly be releasing and DJing, having fun with what I’m doing, I don’t think I really have an end goal of where I want to go with it. It’s just easier looking at it from the point of view of whatever comes, comes, whoever I work with, I work with.

With this point of view, ‘Can’t Be Me’ is all about being yourself. How have you found having this mindset has helped you navigate your way through the industry?

I think everyone is different so people naturally gravitate towards authenticity, and if you know yourself and know what you got, and who you are, people are just going to enjoy the energy you have in having that mindset, and through that you have a much less stressful life because you’re doing what makes you feel good.

Having spent a lot of the winter months across Asia and Australia, how did you find your time out there?

Yeah, of course it’s amazing. Going to a whole different side of the world that I’ve never been to, seeing fans and playing to them, I loved it. It’s like a tick off the list to play there, and it’s nice to visit a place and know that you have fans all the way on the other side of the world and know they exist.

And with that, what kind of energy are you planning to bring back to England this Summer?

Same energy as always, fucking tearing up festivals, having a crazy Summer, more touring, more music, this year is so full of music, so I’m very excited. I’m excited to be in the thick of it, getting into the T-shirts and shorts.

What’s usually your highlight of the Summer?

Probably Glastonbury, man. Can’t wait for that!

I’m officially playing two sets, with the third one being a secret set so hold tight for that. See you Sunday morning somewhere, but I won’t say where or when yet.

In a recent interview you said you’d love to create something that sounds similar to Midland’s ‘Final Credits’, one of those immediately identifiable tracks. When you hear this track, where does it take you to?

I can’t remember who played it, but it was Boardmasters 2019, I can’t remember the DJ but someone played it and I was like “ahh, I like this!” That’s the earliest moment I have, but it’s literally everywhere, it’s such a good song.

A lot of your influences stem from old school classics and music in your upbringing, with much of your audience potentially being unaware of these tracks, do you almost feel a responsibility to put these classic songs into your music and sets?

Kind of, it’s important because we all have to know where the music we listen to comes from and where it stems from, but I don’t really do it on purpose I just do it because I like the music. I don’t think I need to educate them but it’s nice to show them what I like and maybe show people a new side to music.

Who are you most excited about in the current scene right now, and is there anyone you think is doing it different?

In the Electronic scene there’s Zulan, she’s running the Garage scene from America, and she’s really cool. Sammy Virji is doing really well. Wilfy D is doing some crazy stuff, I got music with him coming out. Sam Deeley is banging too, I really like him.

You have a massive homecoming headline party at The Cause, what does London nightlife mean to you, and how excited are you for this event?

I’m very excited, man. It’s the biggest party I’ve ever thrown in my life and it’s like a mini festival cos it’s day and night, but I’m just happy that I can book my friends who can come and play. Having all my loved ones there, having a great time, we’re all making money together, and everyone’s outside having a great time in the sun in an iconic venue.

Talking of working with other artists, having previously collaborated with Greentea Peng, Rachel Chinouriri, Jeshi and others, who would your dream collaboration be with if you could pick anyone past or present?

I actually don’t have a dream collaboration, it’s just what comes in front of me. If I had to give a name it would definitely be Gorillaz. I’ve kind of got to a point where I don’t have a dream to work with anyone, it’s more the case if people want to work, let’s work, let’s have fun.

And what’s your plans for the rest of the Summer and what can we expect from you for the rest of 2025?

Music, music is always dropping. I’m not going to say any names but I’ve got loads of music incoming, more than you can imagine. If I could, I would drop a song every week, but I can’t!