Formed in 2019 by Batikan Abiz, Batikan Tanrikulu, and Yigit Karakas, People Like Us channel their city’s eclectic energy into music that’s cinematic, soulful, and built for movement. By weaving rhythm, texture, and just the right touch of funk, People Like Us craft sounds that set trends rather than follow them.
Their new single, ‘Supernatural,’ lands on Crib Records. It’s a sleek, groove-driven cut that bridges retro-futurist flair with sharp, modern production. Ahead of its release, we caught up with the guys to discuss the idea behind the track, their new event series, hangin’ with Avangart Tabldot, and more!
WWD: How did the idea for ‘Supernatural’ first come about?
Retro sounds are something we all share a love for. One night while working late in the studio, we stumbled upon this vocal sample, and the idea of bringing reggae spirit onto the dance floor sparked a real wave of creativity among us.
WWD: Can you tell us about your production process for this one?
It was the winter of 2024, a period when we completely locked ourselves in the studio. We had a goal to finish eight tracks before summer, and Supernatural was one of the results of that marathon. When the first idea came out, we tested it on stage for weeks, watching the crowd’s reactions and going back to the studio each time to refine it. We wanted it to carry the energy of a live band while capturing the DNA of the dance floor.
WWD: What made Crib Records the ideal home for the track?
For us, Crib Records is more than just a label, it’s a team that shares our creative frequency. Their approach to art, seeing music not as a product but as a form of expression, impressed us from the very beginning. They’re clear in their vision, bold, and truly embrace originality. With ‘Supernatural,’ we wanted to preserve both the emotion and the character of the track, and that’s exactly where Crib came in. There’s already a strong sense of trust and connection between us, so handing them the track felt completely natural, we knew they’d feel it as deeply as we did.
WWD: What is your relationship with the founders of Avangart Tabldot?
A few drinks that start at the neighborhood bar or in the studio usually turn into an endless shot session. There’s always this warm energy and constant creative flow between us. We see music, creation, and nightlife through the same lens, which makes our connection feel completely natural.
Your music often feels cinematic. How do you translate emotion into rhythm and texture?
Even though our musical tastes are similar, each of us approaches the creative process differently. When everyone adds their own perspective to a track, it naturally becomes richer, more layered, and cinematic.
WWD: ‘Supernatural’ received early support from some major names. What does that kind of recognition mean to you?
The artists who supported us have always been a huge source of motivation. Hearing from Solomun himself that he played the track more than a hundred times throughout the summer was truly indescribable. Then came moments like Mahmut Orhan opening his Tomorrowland set with it, and Yamagucci playing it at sunrise on the Burning Man Mayan Warrior stage, that’s when we realized how far the track had traveled. Those moments filled us with pride and gave us incredible energy for our future projects.
WWD: What’s next for People Like Us?
We have an exciting road ahead. Right now, we’re preparing to explore club and festival cultures starting from Europe and reaching across the Americas. We’re sure we’ll learn a lot both musically and culturally, and we honestly can’t wait. At the same time, we’re developing a nightclub concept called Untagged, which reflects the street spirit and free energy we love. That’s another kind of thrill for us. We also dream of collaborating with the Avangart Tabldot crew on a track in the future, and hopefully, our paths will cross on stage one day.
WWD: Hopefully we’ll make it to Untagged one day! Thanks for the chat 🙂
‘Supernatural’ is available here