Perpie’s Discography
2023
Ije is an Igbo (Nigerian) word for Journey. From a three-part project consisting of a debut album recording/release, a three-series live music experience and a short film. Ije is a collection of instrumental music, vocal music and stories. A body of work that expresses the journey so far and seeks to take you on a journey.
A recent immigrant and recipient of the several Canadian Awards, Perpie is continuously deepening her art and meaning. Brewed by harsh realities; poverty, limited access to education and homelessness, Perpie's gift and creativity is inspired by her faith in the Creator. She recognizes that her journey and the whole experience; the struggles, the lack, the victories and the growth as of today, have divinely shaped her.
Raised as the fourth of five children, by a single mother and by the community around her, Perpie has found live music and performance as her most fulfilling medium of expression. In her words, “when I walk into a room filled with people, my heart lights up, even more when the gathering is to enjoy art”. She enjoys bringing people together.
In addition to her life's experiences, she recalls beautiful stories from her childhood; told by her mother and elders around, composes music around these tales and seeks opportunities to share them through playing her saxophones and through singing.
Ije- Awele - Debut Album
Tales of Abuna - Single
2023
A blend of spoken word and instrumental music, Tales of Abuna is a childhood tale of the power of community, the grace of a single mother set in a 'face me, I face you' housing system in the 90s in South-West Nigeria. The average African child is raised not only by a single parent or by a financially unstable pair. The entire neighborhood looked out for each and everyone's wellbeing and it didn't matter how ethnically diverse they may be, I am a product of that community. Built over the ancient Yoruba folk theme - Jalolo.
Memoirs of Koy - Single
2023
A fusion rhythms, of afro and of soul. Ututu is an Igbo word for Morning and Teta means 'Wake Up' This track is a wake up call - to my fellow hardworking hustlers brewed by harsh realities. For when it's morning, you put behind, the failures of yesterday and start over again or build on the foundations of yesterday. You've got so much to live for. Cry but do not let these tears cloud your vision
The Landing (1803) - Single
2023
How do you express royalty unrecognized? How do you tell a story of both heroism and pain in a song. The Landing (1803) is told with a wavy rhythm and groove, with tensions, with improvisations, a soulful tone and melody. History has it that in 1803, my ansestors, Igbo Warriors who were captured and were being shipped as slaves out of their homelands to a strange land, chose to drown in the sea over life in chains. Again, as warriors, they took control of the “slave ship, drowned their captors and marched right into the sea singing.
Meditation (Live) - Single
2022
Performed with the Key-30 Orchestra at the Studio Bell performance hall of the National Music Centre - my debut instrumental composition in song-form. It carries a lot of the weight of my reflections on life.
The tumultuous journey and the moment of prayer that led me here. From my birth into an already tense environment as seen with the percussive opening section to the sails, the good days and then the bad days, and finally to the moment where I started to experience divinity - the bridge, meditation is my life’s reflection.
Originally studio recorded Nigeria and released 2018 and re-released in 2022.
Home - Single
2022
Based on a parable that I love so much and redirected to a loving relationship with the creator and the land. Home expresses the journey itself, the garden, a place of rest and knowing that you are safe and then a prayer into the future
Beautiful - Single
2017
“Broken pieces from my treasure box”, was the first line of this composition. I wanted to express my awareness of both brokenness and treasure. So despite the rough edges, this truth could be the courage we need and for me, this beauty comes from my faith in the divine being.
Untitled - Single
2016
Composed by Digba Ogunbiyi with my tiny in the bridge section and with some of the vocal direction, the first ever instrumental that I recorded, released and is still being played on Nigerian radio. I love the chord and key changes in the bridge with the beautiful vocal lines and most importantly, the saxophone improvisation. Produced by Philip Uzo, who also directed the syncopations and instrumentation.
