What image do you think your music conveys and why did you choose this type of image for your music? (Please, do not avoid the image issue! We want the fans to get to know you better)
Chel’e P: All things real is what my music is about. Partying, Love, Blues, Relationships (family, friendships and business relationships). I’m covering ALL bases. I’m an Artist, so, however I feel at the time is what I’ll write about. Heartache of losing someone is what I know best. I’ve lost a lot of loved ones in my life. My Maternal Grand Mom (Evelyn Perry-Attaway) whom I love so much that my heartaches without her here with me in the physical. She died of Lung Cancer back on Aug. 8, 1998. My Maternal Grand Dad (Fredrick Lyles) was killed back when I was a little girl. He was hit by a tractor trailer. He’s where I get my height from, he was 7 ft tall. One of my favorite Cousins was killed by negligence on the hospital’s part on March 31, 2002. His name was Edward Smith. Friends who died from Aids and one of my best friends died from Diabetes in prison in 2011 her name was Rona Ellis. My Fiancé Carlton “Musa” Williams was killed in Southeast DC on December 2, 2005. I’m still having a hard time coping with his passing. We buried my cousin Ramese Michelle Brown on her birthday June 25, 2009. She was stabbed with a contaminated knife back in 1999 which caused other health problems, due to the blood transfusions to supply her body with clean blood. A month to the day we buried Ramese, my little brother was killed by a gunshot wound to the head on July 25, 2009. He was killed on 18th & M Street Northeast DC. His name was Nelson Davis- Ryan. My biological Dad’s son. A biological father who I love so much but was never really there for me emotionally nor financially. He didn’t even remember my birthdays. That made me bitter, sad and untrusting. I thank Yahweh for his family. They are the best and have always been there for me, even when he wasn’t. I am the oldest out of his 10 children another 9 by a woman whom he never married. I love her too, now. She communicated with me more than he did. I didn’t appreciate her then, but now, I most definitely can appreciate her. Almost every man I dealt with in the passed away or was killed due to “the street life”. I have so much pain, most of my pain comes from the portion of my life that I spent in the mean streets of Southeast, DC. I’ve had family and friends to go to prison for long periods of time. Some are home and some will never see the streets again. I’ve had a hard life, not because of my parents but one I made for myself. I come from a two parent household that was broken. My Mom and Step-Dad separated when I was 16 and I gave my Mom hell after that.
These are the things I have to write about. Although I’m playing “catch-up” on my life I have a message for all the little girls who are growing up with similar issues. If they see that I can make it, they can too. No matter what the circumstance. As long as you believe in a “Higher Power”, you will make it through. My music is and will be “My Life”, my story…. Completely Real but with a positive outcome. There has to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t wanna make much suicide music. Image is really important and I’m only human. I can only be me. There’s so much pressure to be “perfect” and I am far from it and that’s okay too. I get that now.
What do you think makes you and your style unique from other artists?
Chel’e P: What makes me unique from other Artist is I feel like I don’t sound like any of them. I’m also, 5ft 9in tall with heels I stand around 6ft 2in. I guess that would make me hella different (laugh). I can relate to one of my Favorite singers Phyllis Hyman. I love her. The life experiences are almost the same though. Life is life, ya know? Depending on how you look at it. My walk is different, my talk is different and the way a view life in song is different. I’m a “love unconditional” type of Artists who has been thru a lot of struggles. The say you can hear the pain when I sing. Passion is what I call it. I feel deeply and genuinely. I’m a little rough around the edges. Life has made me this way. But I love it! It shaped me! I can only be me. If you’re real… You will feel me!
Thinking back, did your family carry on the same musical/artistic interests?
Chel’e P: Music was always being played in my household. My Mom use to sing when she was younger. My Mom & Daddy had an album collection out of this world. R & B, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Pop, Heavy Metal, and Go-Go. My Mom won the Album Collection in the Divorce Settlement. (Laughing) Hopefully I will be inherit it, it’s amazing! Shoot, they covered all music genre’s in my household. My Daddy was the one who encourage me to sing. My Mom and I’s relationship was like “Sister Act II” she would say often times “Singing doesn’t pay th e bills”. That hurt, because that was all I ever wanted to do. Something that was my birth right! My gift!! My Mom was just wanted what she thought was best for me. She understood that some of those dreams just never come true. She’s a realist in every sense of the word. I can say thought now, when I was younger, I thought it was just her being negative. She told me she didn’t want me to have to go through what most child starts go through. My talent was developed by Mr. George Parker of the Group “Special Delivery” with Terry Huff. Remember the song “I Destroyed Your Love”? He was my Math and Music teacher in Middle School. He taught me everything I know. Also my cousin LaDawn Brown taught me how to harmonize and project. She’s an awesome vocalist. I love her and owe her a lot.
You’ve heard of the term “starving artists” before, how do you cope with major obstacles?
Chel’e P: Being a “Starving Artist” is rough especially when you have an extra mouth to feed and clothe. Performing in these venues and getting little to no pay (grinding is what they call it) just doesn’t work for me. But I am a firm believer in giving back. Giving back to the communities that surrounded me when I was growing up. Although I didn’t grow up in the projects, I played there and had friends there. It was hard for them and even me when I chose to spend a lot of my time there when I got older. Which my parents hated. I wish I had a lot of money, so I can change some lives. Parents who are struggling with their children like me. To make a difference. Folks don’t understand, although as Artist we are doing what we love. It’s work for us. Work that we should be compensated for. It’s hard to do it full time when your expenses exceed your pay. You have to have a “Nine to Five”. These folks out here are paying peanuts for your hard work and sweat. But I’m optimistic. It will pay off one day, SOON!
What made you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Chel’e P: What made want to become an Artist was watching the movie “Sparkle” (the original) when I was younger. It was my favorite movie. Watching Soul Train, American Bandstand, Star Search and a lot of musicals. My favorite TV Show was “Fame”. I knew that I wanted to be on stage. Also, going to a lot of outside shows in the communities in DC. The bands use to perform and look like they loved it. So when I was in Elementary School. I got my first taste of performing. I sung George Benson’s version of “The Greatest Love of All”. My Music teacher played the piano while I sang. I was so nervous. I just kept my eyes on her. After that, I had the bug. I was already playing the violin, taking ballet and modern dance. I hated playing the violin. My instructor was prejudice. My cousin Kareem Wilson and I were the only African American Children in the entire class. Any-who, performing with others, whether it be dance or an orchestra. I was good. Performing for the first time with all eyes on me, only. Was scary. Being an Artist is all I ever wanted to be and do. It’s who I am.
Art & Music has an impact on both young and old. Everyone loves a celebrity, so what advice do you have for the youth of today?
Chel’e P: The advice I have for the younger generation is, to never give up on your dreams. Dream it, Be it, Live it. Just do it! Never let anyone discourage or distract you from your goal/s. Even when folks laugh when you tell them “I’m gonna be a Star one day”. Its only jealousy and or envy. Brush your shoulders off and keep pushing. You can do or be anything that you set your mind to. No matter how hard it gets. You can attain it. Remember when it gets hard, you’re almost there. Keep going!! Oh and last but not certainly not least. Put GOD FIRST!!! You can never go wrong with the almighty on your side. Stay prayed up! He will give you the protection you need on your journey to success. With him, trust and believe “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” As a matter of fact, repeat that scripture over and over again. It is a passage of coverage.
If you had the opportunity to change something about the music industry, what would it be?
Chel’e P: What I would change about the industry is the age limitations and restrictions or the stigma about DC Artist in the Industry. For some reason it’s harder for us than everyone else. I don’t know why. But me, I’m gonna push through all the stereotypes about my city. Shoot, I’ve had it hard on this DC Go-Go Music Scene as well. You can hate me but I wont stop. I refuse to let anyone from my own city discourage me from attaining my ultimate goal. My goal of being a international household name. I am not just a Go-Go Band Singer. I’m an Artist in every sense of the word. What Yahweh has for me, will be for me and no man can take it from me.
Where do you see Chel’e P in 5 years?
Chel’e P: I see myself living in Atlanta, Georgia with my daughter making hits. Writing, arranging and producing music for myself and other artist. Acting in sitcoms, plays and commercials. I can see myself with a reoccurring role in one of Tyler Perry’s plays. My goal is to have fun doing what I love to do, being able to give my baby a better education and a better life overall! I predict “Big Things Poppin” for me and all those surrounding me. In my Mary Mary voice. Imma “Go Get dat Blessing, it’s my time!”.
Have you recorded any other previous work or posted any audio files on the Internet? (What type of recording process did you use? Who produced your recording?)
Chel’e P: Im in the process of releasing more singles. Working really hard in the studio. I have some recordings of live performances of me singing with different local bands singing “Cover tunes”.
www.reverbnation.com/chelep
My Youtube Channel is www.youtube.com/cheleaquarius
www.soundcloud.com/iamchelep
So if you’re a producer and are serious about your craft. Hit me up, let me hear what you got. Maybe we can make it do what it do. With music that is (laugh).
Here’s my email : michele.perry29@gmail.com
Do you have any video links where people can see you?
Chel’e P: Not as of yet, none that’s professionally done. Folks shooting videos from their phone and there are some with me singing with other bands out there. But be on the look out for the video for my New Hit Single “Where Da Party At?” Also, I will be recording all my shows in the near future. I have a few things up my sleeve that I’m not quite ready to reveal just yet. But trust me; I’m aiming for the stars.
Do you have a website of any type? What are some of the details fans can find by going to your own website?
Chel’e P: Yes I have a website www.iamchelep.com
How do you think you would like to be remembered by everyone when all is said and done?
Chel’e P: I would like to be remembered for being real, compassionate, passionate, loyal, being a humanitarian, loving hard, for healing many souls through song and moral support. But above all, I would like to be remembered for being an Awesome Mom. I love my Baby. Markee Miche’ Perry is her name. She’s ten years old.
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