Theo Parrish has always been more than just a DJ; he’s a sonic historian. Watching him speak in this interview is a heavy reminder that the music we dance to—the four-on-the-floor beats that fill clubs from Berlin to Brooklyn-didn’t emerge from a vacuum. It was born out of a specific struggle.
Here is a breakdown of the key takeaways from his powerful reflection on race, the industry, and the history of the dance floor.
The Erasure of the Artist
Theo hits on a painful irony: the very people who pay to see him often want to strip him of his identity the moment he steps into the booth.
The “Display” vs. the Connection:
He notes that audiences often treat Black DJs as objects of display rather than human beings connecting through art. They want the “dance” and the “stuff,” but they want the Blackness to remain “irrelevant to the process.”
Silence is Not an Option:
For Parrish, neutrality is a luxury he doesn’t have. With the reality of violence against Black bodies, he makes it clear: “If they’re killing us like this, I can’t say nothing?”
Reclaiming the Roots
There is a visible frustration in how House and Techno are discussed globally. Parrish pulls no punches in reminding us of the geography and the genealogy of the sound:
An American Art Form: Specifically, an African-American art form.
Born from Segregation:
The music grew out of the concrete of Detroit and Chicago. It was a response to being sidelined, not a soundtrack designed for a global corporate machine.
“F*** everybody over there that doesn’t realize that this is an American art form… based on segregation in two cities.”
The Global Reality of Racism
Theo recounts a chilling experience in Germany that mirrors the systemic issues found in the States. After a confrontation with a bouncer at a club where he was the headliner, the police (Polizei) arrived.
No Questions Asked:
He wasn’t seen as the artist or the victim; he was immediately ordered into a van.
The Language of Hate: He recalls being called “Schwarzer”-a German racial slur that served as a reminder that his status as a world-renowned DJ provided zero protection against the baseline of racism.
The Call to Action: Make it Uncomfortable
Perhaps the most “real” part of the interview is Theo’s advice for white allies. He isn’t looking for performative gestures; he’s looking for direct confrontation.
Find the Source: Identify the racist person in your own circles.
Correct Them: Don’t let the comments slide in “polite” company.
Create Discomfort: Make it socially taxing for people to hold those views.
He suggests that white people need to “be level” with the reality of the situation. While there are struggles on both sides of the coin, the stakes-as he poignantly reminds us-are vastly, dangerously different.