By Peter Celauro
Staff Writer
Pernell.
SLC Marsh.
Pernezee.
Regardless of what moniker you’ve stumbled across, chances are you’ve seen Pernell Marsh’s name on campus. That’s because as a Student Life Coordinator, E-Board chair of the Black Student Union, a member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity and the News Assignment Editor for Newswaves 26, Marsh is one of the most active students on campus.
He is perhaps most visible, however, onstage at the Sandbar.
A veteran of the Coffeehouse, this senior telecommunications major from Lonetree, Colo., is an aspiring hip-hop artist and a performer at heart.
How did you decide on coming to Pepperdine?
It wasn’t my first choice. I first visited Syracuse and I realized that it wasn’t for me. I never visited Pepperdine, but it had many of the factors of what I was looking for. It’s got a great communications program, it’s close to the communications industry in L.A., I had family around and it was close to the ocean.
After four years, are you happy with your choice?
Yeah, I am.
You’re pretty much a staple every year at the Coffeehouse. What do you like best about those performances?
I’m a veteran of the coffeehouse. I love doing it. I also love to see other people do it because it’s a chance for people on this campus who may not be directly involved with the arts to showcase their talent. There’s a lot of talent here.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Peppermint, because it has the chocolate chip from the cookie but with a mint flavor.
What about your act this year?
My act is evolving. My first act of this year we had a DJ with turntables scratching for us, some beatbox, singing and dancing. I did a lot of collaborations with people, including my sister, Sakkara. I rapped with my good buddy, Za, and we had two freshmen this year that are just phenomenal. There was Sabra, a female rapper, and Dominic, who’s an incredible singer.
All together it was just a great show. Normally it’s hard to get crowd involvement, but this time the crowd was really involved.
Any musical influence?
I’ve been influence by R&B and hip-hop stuff. I really admire Boys II Men, because of how soulful they are. They have a kind of root and harmony in the R&B sound. I also admire Lauren Hill and what she’s done in the music industry. There are also Wyclef Jean, Nas and P. Diddy, not in terms of his rapping but in terms of the way he handles his business. I also like the style of Guru, he’s more of an East Coast style and Method Man too. Lets see, Mariah Carrey, Janet Jackson, and Michael Jackson, of course I can’t go without saying him.
You’ve got a few names floating around nowadays. What’s with “Pernezee?”
An old BSU president first gave me my name. Then, basketball players started calling me that. It’s just something that I eventually came to adopt as my stage name.
What are your plans after graduation?
It’s a brave new world out there. I haven’t decided specifically yet what I’m going to do. I’d like to travel overseas this summer and develop my French, maybe become more fluent.
I’m definitely going to work in the entertainment industry, some aspect of that. One of the first things I’d like to do, I think, is some public relations. I’m a people person, and I think it would be a good way to connect and network.
From there, I’m not sure. I’m definitely going to pursue getting into the music industry. But I’m using that only as a possibility. If that doesn’t work, I’ll pursue other things.
If you had only one day left on Earth, how would you spend it?
I’d go visit all the places in the world that I’d never seen. I’d take all the people with me that I wanted to spend my last moments with. I’d eat all my favorite foods and play all my favorite music.
What’s one thing you want people to know about you that they might not already know?
I’m really passionate about movies. I’m a movie critic. Ask me about movies and I’ll just go off. I really like to research them and I like to see the parallels between movies and people’s lives.
Since you’re a movie critic, do you have a favorite movie?
I don’t have a favorite because I haven’t lived my whole lifetime yet. But my favorite for this summer is a tie between “Bourne Identity” and “Signs.” “Signs” because it took the story line of science fiction and aliens, but the movie went beyond and explored a different aspect such as faith and just being human. “Bourne Identity” took us back to more to the spy movie, and also has well-crafted director and actors.
Supergirl or Wonder Woman?
Wonder Woman because she’s more original character than Supergirl, who’s just a spin off of Superman, and Wonder Woman has the Amazon look and I like that kind of look.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m all about performances, so if people want me to perform, call me up.
Also, if you do anything, abide by this: The dreams of your heart are the passions of your soul.
October 03, 2002