Photos and Interview by Jordan Edwards

Not long ago, PmBata (Parker Bata) was a college student at the University of Central Missouri. The son of a high school band instructor, he planned to pursue a career in music technology. However, the success of singles like "Down for Real" and "Nobody Came to My Party" proved that he was ready for bigger things.

This past week, the 21-year-old dropped a remix to "i hate her boyfriend's face" with Mike Posner. The original, released last month, quickly became a TikTok favorite and surpassed two million streams. Posner's voice adds a fresh element to an already catchy (and relatable) track.

We talked to PmBata about his quick ascension in the pop music world and making the transition from Kansas City to Los Angeles.