For this weeks size? sessions (20:20 Mix), @Vans_Europe have hooked us up with an exclusive mix from DJ Jacky P.

If you’re unfamiliar with DJ Jacky P, the Birmingham-native is the tour DJ of a trap/metal-influenced rapper Scarlxrd. We recently got the chance to catch up with Jack to find out a bit more about the man himself, his influences, footwear preferences and how he’s been keeping busy during lockdown.

Listen to his mix below, and keep on scrolling to give it a read…

Tell us about yourself?

“Hello! Appreciate you guys asking me to be part of this. I feel the love! My name is Jack Parker. Connor Schofield (lead singer of the band Jaws) started calling me Jacky P in 2013 and it stuck ever since. It’s my DJ name and the name everyone knows me by. 

“My shoe size is 12. I got big feet and I need big feet because I’m six foot six. I need big feet to keep me upright otherwise I’d be falling forward all the time. The bigger they are the harder they fall.”

What would you say your style/genre is?

“I’m best known for my DJing in the world of rap. I tend to play a lot of trap and American rap. I have a specific interest in the sub-genre of trap metal where rappers are splicing together vocal techniques from metal and punk with blown-out bass and screechy beats. Anything that says “fuck you” to the norm excites me. Rap is punk.” 

What are you best known for?

“Everyone knows me for being the touring DJ for Scarlxrd. I’ve toured the world DJing for that man. He gave me my biggest break in the world of DJing, and we have had the most fun ripping up stages together. If you live in Leeds though you might know me from DJing the legendary Key Club on Fridays and Saturdays.”

What’s your track of the year so far?

“Hats off to my boy Scarlxrd. He really snapped on ‘Perfect’ which opens his latest album ‘Scarhxurs’. That tune is a rager. I can’t wait to press play on it live with him.” 

Do you have an interesting fact about yourself, or any hobbies outside of music?

“I was actually tested for giganticism when I was first born because I was a really lanky baby. I thought my mum was joking when she first told me. 

“Outside of music, I am a film obsessive. I’m always watching films and watching videos on YouTube about how films were made. I have a kink for 0 budget B-movies and independent cinema. I love the idea of bringing mad ideas to life with very little money to support ideas. Plus the worlds of film and music compliment each other beautifully. You can’t have one without the other.” 

When did you start getting into music and where did it stem from?

“Music was always a world I would lose myself in from an early age. I was a loner at school, so I would always have my headphones in and tune the world out. 

“The idea of working in music started when I got a slot on my student radio station Scratch Radio in Birmingham. I went on to present BBC Introducing West Midlands for about four years before I pursued DJing for Scarlxrd and DJing clubs full time. So I’d say it all started with radio.” 

What/who inspired your sound today? Can you tell us how your sound has evolved?

“I’ve always loved the metal world. Heavy stuff gets me going and rap music was always this exciting outsider voice. When I started DJing for Scarlxrd it opened me up to the world of the two genres colliding, and my DJ sets have been a mix of metal, rap and rock ever since.” 

Which up and coming artists can you recommend us to keep an eye out for in 2020?

“Off the top of my head, you have to keep an eye and ear out for the Leeds band Static Dress. They are the best bits of classic emo and screamo thrown in a blender. 

“Also, don’t sleep on my boy The Well Runs Red. He’s living in a world of his own and you guys are invited. He’s part metal headbanger, part rapper, part rock god and part pop star. He’s a freak. 

“And finally the boys in Badgirl$. They are a fascinating collective of rappers singers and producers making charming pop-rap to soundtrack debauched house parties.” 

How are you adapting to music in isolation so far?

“I have a fair few friends that are musicians and they’ve been sending me demos that they are working on. I always love hearing what they are tinkering with.  

“My girlfriend and I also go down YouTube wormholes some nights where we cue up a bunch of our favourite videos. We usually end up with a playlist full of MySpace era emo and screamo.” 

Can we expect anything exciting from you once this is over?

“I’m actually writing a film script at the moment during the lockdown. I’m planning to shoot it once this is all over. The cast is assembled and the script is nearly finished. I can’t wait to make it. It’ll hopefully be out before the end of 2020.” 

In your opinion what are the comfiest trainers to wear to a gig? / Your best dancing shoes?

“If I’m DJing The Key Club then I’m in pure stunting and flexing mode, so I tend to rock up in my checkerboard Slip-On Vans. They are comfy and make a statement. Perfect for wearing whilst rocking the booth.” 

What is the latest pair of trainers you have and what do you like about them?

“My latest pair were bought for me by my girlfriend Jaz. She got me a pair of Nike Air Ghost Racers for Christmas 2019. They are like a collage of cool shoe design parts. They clash in the best way with whatever you are wearing. I love statement footwear.” 

What’s your all-time signature pair? – the pair you wear relentlessly?

“I tend to flit between my Vans checkerboard Slip-Ons and my Nike Ghost Racers. I don’t own many pairs but the pairs I do own get alllll the wear. I’m a creature of habit.” 

Do you remember getting your first pair of Vans? If so, what were they?

“I remember the coolest kids at my school would always be wearing the checkerboard Slip-On Vans. They are a cultural phenomenon in the trainer world and the hype around them has never died down. They are timeless.”