JDNB Interview: Parly B
Its been some time and a lot has happened since we last spoke with Parly B. With a string of releases on some big labels within the scene to cement his sound straight from Yorkshire to the dnb world, the last couple of years have certainly seen a positive rise for the reggae vocalist in the jungle / dnb scene. With his latest offering 'Hot Like Fire Chapter 2' out now on Liondub International, we thought it would be good to have a catch up, learn more about the release and find out whats been happening since we last spoke.
Hi and thanks for chatting with us at JDNB again. It's been just under 2 years since we last chatted and that was during lockdown and restrictions. Describe the feeling when you finally got up on the stage to perform and where was your first gig after lockdown?
It was the best feeling in the world when I went on stage for the first time just after lockdown. It was on the 20th July 2021 at The Tuesday Club. I played alongside Sinai Soundsystem and Andy H. The crowd was awesome and really wild. I felt like I was back home again where I belong. It was such a great buzz. Everyone was definitely ready to party and let off some steam.
You have had quite a few jungle / drum and bass releases on some major labels since ‘Hot Like Fire Chapter 1’. Talk us through them and working with other labels?
It was great to be approached by different labels in the jungle / drum and bass scene.
Hospital Records contacted me through email to work on a track with Whiney. Which I recorded in my home studio. The track is called 'Roll out' which was released on Whiney's Bubblers part 2 on November 3rd 2020 on Hospital Records.
Hospital Records invited me to perform 'Roll out' at Hospitality in the woods alongside Whiney, Subten and Inja. It was a great experience to play to a big drum and bass crowd.
The next release I collaborated with Speaker Louis on a track called 'Link up' which was released on Jungle Cakes on 12th March 2021. It was great working with Speaker Louis, I recorded the vocals in my studio and we talked online during the process.
Run Tingz Recording first released ‘Road Block’ in 2014 which was produced by Selecta J man. Roadblock remixed came out on 10th September 2021, featuring mixes by Kutz and my favourite remix by Toxinate.
I made the link with L-Side on Facebook, he mentioned he liked the reggae track of mine called ‘Galang' which was first released on Sound Transmission Records.I sent him over the vocal stems and he created a heavyweight banger which was released two years later on Philly Blunt Records on the 28th January 2022.
‘Hot Like Fire Chapter 2’ is out now on Liondub International. Love the EP myself and well done on the Number 1 over on Junodownload with ‘Dem A Try’ alongside L-Side. Was it a fun project to work on and how do you go about approaching the artists to lay down the tracks for you?
It has been great working alongside Liondub on this big project for the last couple of years.
Liondub helped massively by talking to the producers and getting the sound and mixdown proper for the project.
The project also kept me focused on music during the Covid pandemic, which was good as all my shows were cancelled. It gave me something good to work on and keep positive.
I made links with all the producers on the project through facebook and Instagram. Big respect goes out to veteran artist David Boomah, Liondub International, L-side, Jayline, T Kay, Rahmanee, Conrad Subs & Toby Ross who have all been involved in the Hot Like Fire Chapter 2 EP.
For the track called ‘First Choice' which was remixed by Rahmanee. I originally got in touch with David Boomah and he recorded the chorus for the original track with Danny T and Tradesman.
It was great to have a follow up track with L-side on ‘Dem a try’ after the release of ‘Galang” on Philly Blunt Records.
The most fun was recording ‘Dem a gangsta’ with Liondub and Toby Ross. I recorded this song as a new exclusive vocal. I worked closely with Liondub & Toby Ross online when I was writing and vocaling the track. It was a very natural process. I wrote, recorded and edited the vocals.
Which producers would you like to work with in the future?
In the future i would like to work with Potential Badboy, Chase and Status, Watch the Ride.
You do a lot of jingles and dubplates, explain more about that and how people can contact you to get these exclusives?
When I am doing dubplates I record the vocals as a separate wav and edit the vocals before I send it over to the customer so they can do the mixdown.
I have had positive feedback from people who have got dubplates and jingles from me in the past.
If anyone wants a dubplate special of one of my released tracks they can contact me on Facebook or Instagram (links at end of article) or by emailing me on: parlybthedan@hotmail.com
Been a while since our last chat so lets freshen up your top 5 Liondub Tracks?
Busy Signal, P Skinna, Liondub - Tropics (Explicit)
Badda General, P Skinna, Liondub - Kickers
DJ Hybrid - Better Surrender feat. Madrush MC
Busy Signal - Happiness (Prod. P Skinna & Liondub)
Blackout JA & Liondub - Love Dancehall
What are your goals for the next year?
My goals for next year is to hopefully play at more Jungle/ Drum Bass Events and Festivals and be able to perform some of my new material live on stage.
It would be great to get some of my material played on day time national radio, as I see quite a few crossover Jungle tracks being played.
Hot Like Fire Chapter 3 still in the pipeline??
Hot Life Fire Chapter 3 is still in the pipeline, the tracks are ready. It should be hopefully dropping later this year.
What would you say you like most about the www.jungledrumandbass.co.uk website?
What I like most about www.jungledrumandbass.co.uk website is that you cover news on all different sub-genres in the drum and bass scene. So there is something for everyone to check out. Also you help promote up and coming artists like myself in this scene.
Thanks for your time. Lastly, any thanks or shoutouts?
Big respect going out to Liondub International, David Boomah, Chilla, L-side, Jayline, T Kay, Rahmanee, Conrad Subs & Toby Ross.
All the labels and people supporting my works
'Hot Like Fire Chapter 2' is out now on Liondub International: Download / Stream Here
Parly B Socials:
Beatport / Juno / Soundcloud
Liondub International Socials:
Juno / Soundcloud / Facebook
Interviewed And Edited By: Chilla
Published: 17/03/2022
