“I STARTED WITH RHYTHM ANDBLUES… FRUSTRATION LED ME TO DOTHE STREET MUSIC I’M DOINGNOW” [TERRY G]

Nigerian artist Terry G is known for his
eccentricity in music, an image brand
that he has created for himself over the past few years. However in a
chat with Leadership magazine, Terry G reveals that he didn't always
start out this way and that frustration might have played a big part
in the music he is creating now.
The artist, who is shooting the video of one of his songs, Gbagbe Osi,
had a very candid chat with Leadership
newspaper. Read excerpts of his interview below!
What has Terry G been up to?
I have been working. Recently, I opened a factory where water is
packaged for sale. We started last month and it has been good. We have
some trucks now and we are planning to add more before the year ends.
As for the music part, I'm dropping a video soon as it is
characteristic of Terry G; I always drop 3 videos a year. We also just
shot a video for one of my artistes.

Your music is now a success story,
how did you do it?
My brother if I tell you say I know how, na lie I dey ie (laughs). I
have been studying the industry and I have learnt to give the people
what they want. I started with Rhythm and Blues and went to shoot my
video in South Africa. The buzz I got from the song was not
satisfactory, so I became frustrated and maybe that frustration led me
to do the street music I'm doing now- the Apako song.

Apako has given you a name and identity on the Nigerian music scene,
what inspired it?
Apako is a slang in Benin which means 'scope'. The song, Make I Nak
You Apako is about a guy toasting a babe and scoping her. It means
"let me scope you" or "let me yarn you that thing". It is a slang we
use
in Benin and in AJ. I had to study the
terrain and come out with such a
song. If dem no accept my R&B, dem go accept my street music, which
bonds with the people.

But most of the songs Nigerians
gyrate to have lewd lyrics, what's your take?
You see, today's music is evil. We
call it commercial music. This is the
music that brings the millions. People
are still doing good music here but
there is no buzz. It is the commercial
music which some people term 'bad'
music that is getting us the millions. It is all about the business of
music and the glam that accompanies it. I said before that I was doing
good music before, but the buzz was not there. So, I researched what
the need is and experimented with songs like Make I Nak You Apako and
others. It is not easy doing music; recording a song is a piece of
creativity and you just do it from your heart and await the feedback
from listeners.

How did music come to you?
I learnt music in Church. I am the first child and was very good at
playing drums. My parents are pastors at Redeemed Christian Church of
God, Peace Assembly Parish. Music started from church for me and now I
have taken it to the street and made a name for myself. I did back-up
for Faze of Plantashun Boyz. I thank God; I'm here and my gift brought
me success.

How can a "Church boy" and the son
of pastors do your kind of music? Music is business-don't forget
that. I was in the choir; though I was
stubborn growing up. However, looking back, the Church was not ready
for me. I'm not sure I would have lasted if I had ventured into Gospel
music. It is a matter of choice. I still pray and I'm a Christian.

It seems a lot of successful secular
artistes got their start from Church,
your thoughts?
It is a thing of choice. The music from the Church is mainstream and
strictly Gospel; and the Church maybe doesn't understand our language
as young, creative people in search of success. I honour my parents
because they gave me the foundation.