Discusses his just released EP, “Goat Daddy.” John Paul Arabome, also known as Pepp, epitomizes all that is artistic. He is not only a well-known chef and musician in the US, but he also describes himself as a man of God, a restaurateur, a writer, a producer, a designer, and a farmer.
Pepp recently released the EP “Goat Daddy,” and he says the feedback, both online and offline, are amazing.
Pepp discusses his six-track EP and its meanings in a conversation with Potpourri. He also shares details about his life as a well-known chef, his music, the trip, the difficulties and the victories, and how Davido briefly came into his life in the music industry. Taken from the text
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What kind of responses has your EP received, both online and off?
People are confused, wondering, ‘Huh, who, what, when, and how?’
Could you list all of the songs on the EP and explain the inspiration for each one, along with their respective vibes?
Disinterest. When boredom threatens to creep in, I’m always inspired to write music. My auto trigger is that. But once I’m lit, it’s like unlocking a door and entering a creative realm where everything else fades away.
Ase, this was the song I wrote for the EP’s opening track. When my friend and longtime colleague called on a Sunday afternoon, he stated he was in Las Vegas and wanted to to find out whether I wanted to compose some music.
He picked up the best-inspired hook, and I said, “Come on down, I got some fresh beats.” The verses came easily after.
Come Over is my Ashewo song, to put it lightly.
I basically brought it there since the sound reminded me of an old school dancehall from the 1990s, with artists like Patra and Mad Cobra.
I was not going to go back and alter my songs because I had stated something about Sim Guobadia and his estranged wife Porsha, only for them to start this drama about their divorce after the fact.
Who knows? Perhaps my words will bring them peace, or perhaps a reconciliation is in the works.
Eromosele: I am particularly conscious of and proud of my ancestry since I am the great-grandson of Eromosele the Great. We are genuinely sons of kings, and it was made even more memorable for me because I also gave my kid the name.
I wanted to perform “Ase” in my home tongue in the same spirit of thankfulness that inspired its creation.
It roughly translates from ‘Thanks God, we’re doing well and our stomachs are full’ to Thanks God, my body/spirit is calm because my prayers have reached and have been answered by you.
Naturally, I had to give my old friend Osobase a call to ask for assistance translating the verse into Esan. I gave him the beatdown, really. and until it was locked in, we proceeded line by line. It was an interesting experience.
Girl From Ghana: I wanted to give Ghana a shout-out because the majority of the beats on this EP were produced by someone from that country.
This was how I showed my gratitude for Ghana. I contacted my friend Martin, who is from Ghana, once more from my college days. He provided me some advice, telling me to utilize ‘Odo Sronko;’ to balance out the overpowering ‘Odo Yewu.’
However, it was crucial that I included the term ‘Ghana’ in the title. Numerous factors The personal things that are going on in my life and the lives of those around me served as inspiration for yet another cooperation with Ishmail. In a way, I’m an empath. I therefore take on needless tasks. I suppose that’s my cross.
One of my favorite songs and the last one to be recorded is Sexy Baddie. This was a joint project with Hue C, a younger cousin of my college buddy Alec who is a Bahamamian.
At first, I asked him to compose me a verse in the vein of Shaggy. After hearing his perspective, I attempted to replicate it, but to no avail.
I contacted him and asked if he would like to be included on the album. He agreed, and the outcome was incredible.
What differences exist between the responses to your album from the previous year and this new EP?
I didn’t package it last year, so nobody heard about it. I simply let it go, and then OBO That same week, (Davido) released his Fire album, so everyone else was “Unavailable” to listen to me! How depressing! But this time, I made the decision to package a little bit, and you can see the difference.
For each of the six tracks on the EP, four music videos were produced. One is in Los Angeles and the other three are in Atlanta. I engaged in a few more social media interactions and genuinely surprised people.
They have no idea how I’ve been reacting, but it’s crazy to see your favorite famous chef show off a different side of him.
Does your status as a well-known chef have any bearing on your music?
It does, in my opinion. On my most recent trip, I discovered that I was rapping about ‘Chebu Jen,’ the Senegalese joke project, and I thought, “Damn, this is really fun.” I would occasionally mention my food, my abilities, or my passion for cooking.
What goals do you have for your music and how would you characterize it?
My observation is that I find myself talking a lot about women, God, and some very important human events. Like the rest of you, I’m still learning how to play music, so let’s embark on this exploration together. Together, let’s explore the discography! (Giggles)
Which factors, and why, have the biggest influence on your music?
The rhythm…Usually, the beat speaks to me and makes me feel find out what it needs from me, if anything. Nothing else, as I can easily extract the concepts and melodies from my experiences as well as those of people from a broad spectrum. All I need is a beat to guide me. It performs its function.
For you, what does quality music mean?
Oh, God! A good piece of music raises my spirits to a state of complete joy. Let it marinade now.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of recording music in the United States?
You must mean being an artist in the United States.Man, I’m not even sure whether I qualify as an artist in the US (smiles).
In the US, I work as a chef and also make music and upload it online. There isn’t a road manager here. or any of the additional artistic infrastructures. You cannot, then, claim that I am not an artist.
Going back to your original question, I get to be anyone I want to be, which is an advantage. The hardest part would probably be not being able to share the content with a larger group of people from comparable backgrounds, which would be you, my people!
Musically and personally, who is Pepp?
I’m a huge fan of powerful melodies. Soul-stirring tunes are my favorite. You simply sense the frequency, love, and the connection between your hearts.
That’s my sound and personality; I’m just a regular guy who doesn’t think packaging is important. That is exactly what you see.
It’s also Being an idea can be taxing, but you can still be who you are. That’s the reason I dislike being put in a box.
I’m a cook, an artist, a writer, a producer, a designer, a farmer, and a man of God, among other titles.I love to create and have numerous hats.
What impact do ladies have on your music?
I have to say, quite a bunch. I discover that in one out of every two records I produce, I discuss women. Whether it’s a love song, a broken heart, or me merely attempting to get her attention. There are only two genders on the planet, therefore there’s not much more to discuss after them.
What impact do you believe Afrobeats is having in the US, and do you think it will continue to rage?
Everything has cycles. I recall the early 2000s dancehall craze, with Sean Paul in the forefront.
The problem with the United States is that, despite their constant curiosity about other cultures, they never really go far beyond what they know. To keep that fire going, Nigerians and other Africans living abroad must exert their energies.
For this to occur, there must be a local need in the United States, and only genuine Africans or Nigerians can generate that kind of steady demand for our products.
However, I would want to add that it is not a positive indicator for the genre’s sustainability if the leading artists of the genre distance themselves from the term “afrobeat.” the pattern.
Yes, it is a trend, and every trend has a downturn, a peak, or a point at which demand wanes.
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They claim that there are no lyrics in Nigerian music—just beats. What are your thoughts on the significance of rhythm and lyrics in music?
Nigerian music is much more than what you just said, if you look closely. It is true that in order to stay on top of the trend,
the majority of popular songs are composed at a quicker BPM, and conversing about serious topics can be quite difficult at that speed.
However, there are a ton of independent musicians in Nigeria creating lyrically dense music that is seldom noticed because Listening to music that raises their vibration is more appealing to people than music that forces them to think.
Abeg, the average Nigerian inhabitant finds some form of solace in music, as the land is too harsh and there is already too much contemplation.
All they want to do is dance. I should also mention how vital great beats are—kudos to sound producers who create amazing music.
Which musician from Nigeria would you most like to work with, and why?
Good vibrations and energy are often the foundation of a successful partnership. Although I love a lot of artists, I haven’t given the idea of working with someone on a piece any attention. That will undoubtedly occur eventually, but not right now. What is your opinion on whether or not an artist should stay in one certain genre of music?
There should be no one telling an artist what to do. You can choose to accept their efforts or move on. We take far too long to establish opinions about subjects we are ignorant of.
As a musician, what is your ultimate goal?
That’s a straightforward but complicated question.In a nutshell, I would say that my goals are to both personally fulfill my creative drive and socially influence society. Isn’t that what most of us want to achieve in our endeavors?
