Get To Know: Master Peace

In a landscape where genres bleed into one another and content is king, Master Peace is leading the charge by creating his own universe. The South London native is unapologetically defiant, genre-fluid, and deeply intentional. His music is high-energy, his presence is unmissable and above all - is a celebration of independence, resistance, and pure adrenaline.

We spoke to Peace ahead of the release of his latest record, ‘Harley’ which followed "No More Underground". While his thoughts were honest and charged, Peace speaks with a reassuring charm, like he’s letting you in on something important, and chances are he probably is. 

“No More Underground” is a mission statement in motion. Frustrated by the post-pandemic music industry, rising costs, shuttered venues, and an environment hostile to working-class or independent creatives - Peace wanted to make a record that pushed back. “It’s an F.U. kind of energy,” he says, highlighting the growing disparities in access and opportunity. “If you’re not a nepo baby or from a certain background, you fall short. I just don’t think that’s fair.” 

As a gesture of defiance and solidarity he dropped it as a free download. “It’s all about accessibility. Things used to be way more reachable.”

Follow-up single “Harley” leans fully into Peace’s signature sound: early 2000s indie with a punk-laced spirit. “I was in a weird place. I needed some thrill or excitement,” he shares. Working with Dan Carey (of Wet Leg and Fontaines D.C. fame) “it was not so much about songwriting, just fun.”

Peace’s sonic palette spans grime, indie, rap, and punk, but it’s far from confused. “I think because of my background, I know how to make a good rap song. I know how to make a good indie song. I’ve done the training.” This is less about genre-jumping and more about world-building.

When asked how his new sound compares to his debut album How To Make a Master Peace, Peace notes one word: intentionality. “I knew where I wanted to go with it. I sat down. I took time. There’s so much style and finesse.”

His process begins with melody. “Melody is very important to me. If the chords hit, I can go crazy.” And above all else: “It has to translate live.” Festivals, clubs, 10-cap basements or 10,000-cap tents, Peace gives the same explosive performance regardless. “That shows real artistry,” he affirms. “If you can give it your all in front of 10 people or 10,000, that’s how you know it’s real.”

Collaboration is also key. From AJ Tracey to punk royalty like The Streets and Franz Ferdinand, Peace moves between genres effortlessly. His AJ Tracey collab felt especially personal: “He’s always supported me. He knew how much that feature would do for me. That’s the kindest thing an artist has ever done.”

Despite the success, he’s clear about the uphill battle. As a Black artist in indie spaces, he’s had to kick down doors others walked through. “I’ve had to walk so others can run,” he says. “Now, it’s more common to see Black artists in indie, but when I started, I was literally the only one.”

He doesn’t shy away from the disparity: “I sold out Electric Ballroom and still had to fight for visibility.” But he adds, “I shine regardless. I didn’t need to switch up the swag or rap to fit in. I made an indie record—and it charted.”

Peace feels as though his self-awareness is fuelled by his neurodivergence. “Maybe it’s the autism and ADHD, but I’ve never had shame. I’m unapologetically me. I know how to be a chameleon and grow in any environment.”

Visuals matter. A lot. His debut album built an ecosystem. “I didn’t even realise I was world-building until fans started showing up to gigs in Adidas track tops and I saw what I’d created. It’s like what Charli XCX did with Brat. That level of care is important to me.”

“I want people to feel something when they hear the name ‘Master Peace,’” he adds. “Like it’s a world. A feeling. Not just a sound.”

So what’s next? Peace teases album two. “All I’m saying is—don’t drop when I drop. If you’re in the same space as me, pick another date.” 

Above all it’s clear that in a scene still catching up, Master Peace is already miles ahead.