Peruzzi is not a new name in the Nigerian music scene. Long before conversations about his solo catalogue gained momentum, his pen had already travelled far and wide, shaping records for artists like 2Baba and Davido. His reputation as a songwriter has always preceded him, sometimes even overshadowing his identity as a performer. While the hype around his vocal presence may not have reached the same height as his writing résumé, Sabali feels like a clear statement of intent, not through noise or theatrics, but through curation and quality.
This album does not attempt to convince listeners of Peruzzi’s relevance. Instead, it assumes it. The confidence across Sabali is calm, controlled, and earned. From songwriting to production choices and feature placements, the project reflects the mindset of an artist who understands both the mechanics of music and the emotional responsibility that comes with longevity.
Production and Sonic Direction
Despite being handled by five different producers, Sabali maintains a remarkably unified soundscape. The production is rooted in Afrobeats but framed through a cinematic lens, giving the album a textured, almost documentary-like feel. Listening to the project feels less like jumping between standalone tracks and more like moving through chapters of a larger story.
Producers on Sabali
- Irock Classic – Lead production on Die It and other tracks
- Major Bangz – Co-produced the opening movement of Die It
- Duktor Sett – Contributed to Die It and the album’s sonic cohesion
- Fresh VDM – Produced Gazo
- Senseimusiklab – Co-produced Gazo
- Mike Seaberg – Mixing and mastering engineer across the album
The sonic consistency across Sabali suggests intentional collaboration rather than coincidence. It is easy to attribute this cohesion to Duktor Sett’s influence and Mike Seaberg’s engineering work, as both play critical roles in balancing the album’s cinematic ambitions with its Afrobeats foundation.
A standout example of this production ideology is Die It. The track unfolds in two distinct movements. Major Bangz crafts a cinematic entry that feels almost like an opening scene, while Irock Classic takes over the core Afrobeats structure. The transition is seamless, creating an immersive effect that elevates the song beyond a conventional album opener. This same technique appears in Nuff Respect and Cooking Pot, where layered intros and evolving beat structures reinforce the album’s narrative flow.
Lyrical Themes: Self-Discovery and Ownership
At its core, Sabali is an album about self-awareness and arrival. Peruzzi writes from the perspective of an artist who understands his place in the industry and no longer feels the need to prove it loudly. There is a recurring sense of calm dominance throughout the project, not rooted in arrogance but in experience.
This confidence is justified. Sabali is Peruzzi’s third studio album, and his songwriting history includes Grammy-nominated work. He sings as someone who knows he cannot simply be edged out of the industry, because his contribution runs deeper than visibility alone. The album explores patience, validation, legacy, and personal grounding, often blurring the line between industry reflection and internal dialogue.
Track Analysis and Narrative Highlights
Die It
As the album opener, Die It sets the emotional and sonic foundation of Sabali. The song captures Peruzzi’s refusal to fold under pressure, framing survival as both a personal and professional principle. It is not aggressive, but resolute, establishing the album’s overarching tone of quiet authority.
Nuff Respect (feat. Jesse Jagz)
This track leans into legacy and earned recognition. Both artists approach respect as something accumulated over time rather than demanded. The writing reflects maturity, industry awareness, and a shared understanding of what it means to remain authentic in a space that constantly shifts.
Cooking Pot (feat. Jeriq)
One of the album’s most metaphorically rich songs, Cooking Pot positions Peruzzi as a source of knowledge and influence. Using the image of people gathering around his “cooking pot,” he frames himself as the chef, the origin point from which others benefit creatively. Jeriq’s presence reinforces the street-rooted confidence of the record, grounding the metaphor in lived experience rather than abstraction.
Legalize
This song explores commitment and emotional intentionality. Peruzzi approaches love from a grown perspective, focusing on stability and the desire to formalize connection rather than chase temporary excitement.
Normal Person (feat. Terri & Bella Shmurda)
Here, Peruzzi strips away celebrity illusion. The song reflects on emotional weight, personal flaws, and the pressure of expectations, reinforcing the idea that success does not erase humanity. The collaborative dynamic strengthens the song’s vulnerability.
Apala Drill (feat. Davido)
A cultural fusion that blends traditional Apala influences with modern drill energy. The song feels rooted and assertive, reinforcing Peruzzi’s connection to heritage while asserting relevance in contemporary sound spaces.
Holy Water
Closing the album, Holy Water serves as a moment of cleansing and reflection. It ties together the album’s themes of patience, renewal, and inner balance, ending Sabali on a composed and grounded note.
Final Assessment
Sabali is not an album chasing validation. It is the sound of an artist who understands his value and communicates it through structure, restraint, and intention. Peruzzi’s strength as a songwriter is evident throughout the project, but what stands out most is his ability to translate that skill into a cohesive body of work rather than isolated highlights.
