Pariah Pete's new single exudes summer vibes

Phoenix rapper Pariah Pete is nothing if not prolific. Between now and when I sat down with him for coffee, I blinked a couple of times. In the midst of those eyelid flutters, the artist dropped new music, and more than once.

This week, it’s the new single “Chase the Sun,” and even if it didn’t have the glaring, hot orb in the title or lyrics that didn’t shout about the season, the whole vibe still screams summertime. A video is on the track’s heels.

The beat is bouncy and mellow, and easily puts you in a springy convertible near some water; just cruising and not worrying about getting anywhere on time. And for us desert dwellers, we’re especially happy for an assist that gets us to the sand and water intersection, even if it’s only in our heads.

Pete’s mellow tone is juxtaposed with melodic, soulful vocals by guest collaborator Roy Rutto. The modern track has plenty of nostalgic flair. It’s like an ice cream cone dipped into a poppy, ‘80s R&B candy coating.

In March, he dropped the song and video for “Virgo,” in which his very catchy vocals ride above a beat woven with splashes of funk and jazz.

The performer, who’s lived in Arizona since he was four, was born in Vermont to parents who immigrated from Poland, says he was always making music.

“Even before I wanted to start writing lyrics or performing, I would be in the mirror doing so.” And yep, it was pretty much always rap.

“The first song I ever heard in my life that I remember was ‘In da Club’ by 50 Cent, and that automatically drew me in. I’m the youngest of five, and all of my teenage sisters were playing what was popular at the time,” he tells Signal and Noise.

“There was so much cool hip-hop and stuff then. Eminem, Dr. Dre, and it all got me to start writing music. I wrote my first ever rap when I was probably eight or nine years old.” Pete says he shared that with his friend Nick, who he says “was a way better rapper than I was at the time,” and that the friends are still connected.

He hit a studio around age 11 for his first recording and says that, while he has those very early tracks, he really started taking things seriously around 16 and 17. Getting started at such a young age had its benefits.

“I’m 26 now,” Pete says, “and I feel like I’m in a really interesting position, because I have so much experience already. I’ve been active in the Phoenix music scene for almost 10 years now. I feel, in a sense, like a rookie, but a veteran at the same time.”

He credits the internet with helping him along the way.

“I think the first group I found from Phoenix was (now defunct Tempe hip-hop act) Injury Reserve. I became obsessed with their music and honestly, at first, I thought they were from Las Vegas ‘cause I saw the cacti in their videos and I couldn’t even conceptualize that they were from here.” He started following them on social media, along with some other artists, and ended up on a Facebook group for a rap competition. “ I submitted to be in it and got accepted. Through that, I met so many people and became a part of the rap scene. That was pre-COVID.”

When COVID-19 hit, Pete started working with a live band, which he says introduced him to the indie rock and alternative scenes. Ultimately, his interests converged, and now he often raps with a full band that he says is “jazz-oriented with neo-soul components and elements.”

“The root of what I do is rap,” he adds, discussing how that is his dominant lane, whether he’s doing something with or without the band behind him. “I’ve always taken care of the lyrics, and the band helps produce a lot of the music and construct the songs. It’s kind of like alternative hip-hop with live instrumentation, similar to what The Roots were doing years ago, and it’s helped me bleed into a lot of genres and perform with different styles of groups.”

Pariah Pete says he makes “Feel-good, approachable music,” and he’s not wrong. His flow is smooth and easy to lock into. You want to stay with the story from beginning to end. He’s incredibly driven and active — he gets shit done, and his passion is inherent and thorough.

In addition to the releases, there have been recent shows at Viva PHX and the Phoenix Art Museum, and a track record of selling out local venues. Pete has been touring and plans to keep doing all of those things.

“I want to tour and continue to expand and grow,” he says, but isn’t looking to move away.

“I want to be based here for sure. I have such a strong foundation, my studio, and my family. I can definitely see myself staying here and traveling when I need to.”

Pete says that his lyrics come from a few different places. “Pulling from life and introspection as a vessel for my own healing and spirituality” is a part. Also, just enjoying rap’s poetic nature and the fun of playing with words. “It’s literally a sport. I pull from the love and passion of hip-hop so much. And he hopes the results are relatable.

“I just try to tell my story in a way that could help other people going through some things. Trying to find ways to spin some of the harder things in life with a positive light when I can.”

“I just love hip-hop and music, and I want to see where it goes, and I also am obsessed with the community-building that comes along with it.”

Follow Pariah Pete on Instagram for all the news.

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