Chasing the sun and maintaining that yoga routine. We spoke to the London singer that’s set to soundtrack your summer.

Rasharn Powell has big dreams. The London singer’s aspirations started taking hold during his early years bumping bootlegs brought from the local barber shop by his mother and he began acting upon his impulses in college as he unpicked the works of Alex Turner and Bon Ivor.

His dreamy, funk-laden cuts are informed by the literature he grew up reading. Feasting on a diet of James Baldwin and William Golding, the singer’s lush anthems hold that same inimitable quality frequently found on a  Frank Ocean record as he effortlessly captures the essence of late summer drives.

Singles like ‘Warm In These Blue Jeans’ illustrate the quintessential, soft-hearted sound that would sit nicely on ‘Nostalgia Ultra’.

This sound in part, emanates from the relationship he has with producer Luca Buccellati, who is also working with Powell on his debut EP, ‘Haven’. This breezy romanticism that’s laced throughout his work so far can be found in his latest offering ‘Smithereens‘ and we caught up with the singer to see what makes him tick.

You are fighting in the octagon, what song do you walk out to ?
Probably, Strange Fruit by Nina Simone and spook my opponent.

What fact about you would surprise people?
I’m actually pretty funny.

What does retirement look like for you in the future?
Hm, retirement looks like chasing the sun with my future wife and hearing from the kids every once in a while. Probably doing yoga. Definitely doing yoga.

What is your morning ritual?
Well my morning ritual, over this repetitive period, is an omelette on some hard dough bread, honey & ginger tea and 200 push ups.

What movie / video game has the best soundtrack?
This is tough. Probably Kill Bill Vol. 1 or Belly.

Finish this sentence: You should never __________
…skateboard down a hill without learning how to stop. My friend did it, not me.

What is essential to have with you in the studio?
My phone on airplane mode and some water.

What is the last thing you watched on netflix/youtube/tv?
Last thing was “Have A Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics”

What are you addicted to?
Definitely sweets. I have the sweetest tooth.

You have your own talk show, who is your first guest?
Urm, Vybz Kartel

You are headlining Glastonbury, what are your most outrageous rider requests?
A BMX ramp, a full spread of every Jamaican dish, a Shiba Inu puppy and an adaptive temperature AC for the dressing room. That’s pretty outrageous.

The first album you bought?
Blue “All Rise” and I’m not ashamed at all.

You can choose one artist to head up the government and subsequently save the country, who is it?
#Kanye2020

You can rock the stage with any act past or present, who are you choosing?
D’Angelo. 100%.

What is your pet hate?
I hate when people talk through movies, unless it’s me talking through the movie.

Listen to ‘Smithereens’ below:

Photography: Zaineb Abelque