Within the first 30 seconds of “LOS NARCOS,” the opening track of Peace Okezie’s debut album How To Make A Master Peace, the record carries an urgency that simultaneously marks the beginning of his legacy in British music.
Performing as Master Peace, Okezie compiles a sonic divergence from the norm across the new 11 tracks, with a vulnerable commentary on what it feels like to be an adult today.
On How To Make A Master Peace, Okezie compacts the nostalgia of teenage carelessness on a scale similar to that of his favorite TV shows, such as Skins, Misfits, and Waterloo Road. Inspired by the shared youthful, infectious demeanour that brings people together every day, he builds on relatable, vulnerable remarks to connect with his fans.
Despite the continuous angsty undertones, How To Make A Master Peace is neither angry nor reckless; it is a standout body of work, rebellious with intent. Okezie proves himself to be a trailblazer on a superb level with tracks like “Panic 101,” “GET NAUGHTY!” and “Sick In The Bathroom,” delivered with an astonishing generation-defining energy.
Closing his debut record with the euphoric, “Happiness Is Love,” Peace Okezie confirms the obvious – normal is boring – and pushes the subject of music genres beyond his previous work. “I feel elated and relieved that I stuck to my guns and made the album I’ve always wanted to make,” Okezie says about the album release, a project that was inspired by his producer’s challenge to ‘take more risks,’ and reach a new level of artistic fulfilment.
In an exclusive conversation with 1883, Peace Okezie, known by his stage name Master Peace, opens up about his upbringing in an environment of music and culture juxtaposition and challenges the music industry’s gatekeeping.
London is slowly approaching Spring, very slowly. How does your day-to-day look like when you can enjoy the outdoors in London?
My day-to-day is quite spread out by studio and family time, just trying to enjoy days at home, before things get busy with touring and festivals etc.
Now that your debut album How To Make A Master Peace is out for a couple of months, what do you feel looking back at the period of making this project?
I feel elated and relieved that I stuck to my guns and made the album I’ve always wanted to make, and for it to get the love it is getting I can’t complain.
You’ve been told by your producer that ‘you don’t risk enough,’ what was your initial mental reaction to what he said?
I was a bit confused by that statement because I literally thought I was always risky in my music and always tried to push the sound forward, but he made me see something that I feel like I’ve been missing and what I haven’t realised in myself at all that was right in front of me.
After processing his comment, did you right away know what sound you wanted to encapsulate in the next project?
Not necessarily, it was the early days of our relationship/ development period, so I hadn’t really got hands-on with him to know what he meant by that until we made my record “I Might be Fake” and that song was a risk in itself that just paid off massively.
You wanted to make an album that reflects the times we’re living in right now. As a Londoner, what were the main non-negotiable messages you wanted to capture on How To Make A Master Peace?
YOUTH – I feel like youth is really important in what we do, and that was something I needed to stand on, show my fans that I’m human and I go through all the day-to-day struggles that they go through even though it may not seem like that from the outside looking in; going through break ups, getting under the influence in certain aspects, being happy at times, been depressed at times, making mistakes at times but it’s all about that, the vulnerability of being a young adult.
Listening to How To Make A Master Peace, I was instantly brought to the days of watching Skins, night and day, that you also referenced; feeling this undeniable urge to party, rave and just carelessly run around like a teenager. The project sounds very visual, where were you drawing the inspiration from?
It was definitely from TV shows like Skins, Waterloo Road, and Misfits. Those shows shaped my life and everything I love, and I wish stuff like that was around more, but I don’t think people watch TV anymore haha.
Which tracks are your favourite to perform?
“Panic101” and “I Might be Fake”.
Throughout the record, you brilliantly encapsulate the ambience of London’s youth. What are some of your favourite hidden spots to let loose?
Hawley Arms in Camden is a gooden and Primrose Hill in North West or Alexandra in Wimbledon.
When growing up you used to live in South East London and then you moved to Morden. Could you tell us more about the indemnity crisis you were going through? How did these two places shape you into the man you are today?
I was born in Old Kent Road (Woolwich/ Peckham) and then moved to Surrey and that was a culture shock for me I think. I haven’t seen anything like the sort. It showed me different types of music and cultures that juxtapose each other and I think my music carries that mantra.
Instead of talking more about your superheroes Dev Hynes (Blood Orange, Lightspeed Champion) and Kele Okereke (Bloc Party), are there any emerging artists, fellow underdogs, you would like to shed light on?
I love this band right now called Lip Filler – they supported me in Leeds on my tour and they have this record called Limelite which reminds me a lot of old-school Master Peace for sure and the lead singer’s voice is so unique, they need more light shed on them for sure.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the scene and what would you like to change about it?
I think the game loves shining light on the obvious people based on who they know not actual talent, no shade, but it’s just facts. See so many bands that get overlooked that make way better music then the bands the industry claims to be the most exciting prospects lol it’s so stupid, I think they need to get rid of these gatekeepers and actually base the music on music not popularity.
You expressed you feel like this is finally your moment. What changed in your mindset and other aspects for you to come full circle after more than five years of making music?
I’ve been only making music as Master Peace since 2019, my first single was “Nighttime”, I think from there till now I’ve been doing bigger headline shows, sold out my headline at Scala 1K+ and was nominated for IVORS and my album got into the charts, just stuff feels like it’s finally happening for the better and it’s becoming a thing.
You built Master Peace from the ground up, without privilege or any other family members being involved in the music industry. Were you ever faced with thoughts of wanting to give up?
Yeah at times for sure, but I’m glad I stuck it through cause if it was easy everyone would do it! And now I’m now seeing the rewards.
Was it as simple as having a dream, or what kept you going?
I would say my faith and belief in God and not in Man.
What made you want to be an artist in the first place? And is it everything you ever imagined?
Never wanted to be one, to be honest. It kind of happened accidentally, it’s got its highs and lows, but I think everything does. You can’t have the bad without the good.
What is next on the agenda for you and your career?
TAKEOVER.
How To Make A Master Peace is out now.
Interview Karolina Kramplova
Photography Ellenor Betts
Styling Tom Pirello
Grooming/MUA Callie Foulsham
