One of the most unlikely upcomers has emerged to become of one the major stars of the music scene in 2009; dipping his hands in almost every hit and almost single-handedly dictating the theme of today’s music of Nigerian origin.
His name is Gabriel Amanyi a.k.a. Terry G.
With multi-coloured queerly-patterned hairdos, muscles threatening to leap out of white singlets, sagging three-quarter jeans, held precariously by twin bick-buckle belts, and heavyweight bling bling hanging loose from his neck, Mr. Amanyi came on the scene in 2008, showing us he’s charting his own course, plotting his own style, and determined to be his own man.
On his music, or on stage, he gives no apologies: Yes he dresses wild. Yes he smokes marijuana. Yes he’s raw and lewd and radical. Yes he sings on other people’s beats. Yes he performs other people’s songs. He’s guilty as charged. He’s not appealing; definitely not apologising!
But Terry G has not always been wild and daring and unapologetic. Before he changed his looks and coined ‘free me now’; before he discovered women and marijuana, the young singer-producer was a quiet, gentle wannabe who couldn’t look you in the face while making a sentence. Living with his arents around Ogba, in Lagos, he combed the streets looking for opportunities to explore music, while recording demo tapes andd waiting for his lucky day.
He searched for mentors, and digged for an established act he could pitch his tent with. On a certain day in 2006, he met with Sasha, Sound Sultan and African China, while the trio had a photo shoot at Wisemen Apparel, in Lagos. None was willing to take him under their wings. Not long after, respected photographer Shola Animashaun, while sharing a room with former Plantashun Boiz singer Faze, during the Globacom Campus tour, suggested the singer hire Terry G as a back-up act. Faze, who was at the time scouting for a back-up talent, bought the idea.
For the next two years, he lived and travelled with Faze, recording and performing and taking lessons he’ll need later.
‘‘It was a very tough time’’, Terry recalls. ‘‘The pay was not much and the schedule was hectic. But I was learning a lot, and I too happy to bother about anything else’’.
He learnt a lot of things: including the art of lyrical audacity, stage-manship, and –unfortunately- marijuana. Faze doesn’t use marijuana, but sources told NET some members of the crew favoured the herb, and may have introduced the young Terry G to it.
‘‘He’s a very talented boy’’, Faze tells NET. ‘‘I’ve always known he was going to blow. He used to back me up, and he was close to my P.A. Ayzee. I miss them both and wish we were all still together’’.
‘‘He used to take time off to go sing in the church choir, and play instruments. Most people don’t know this: he played the baseline on my song ‘I’m in love’.
Soon after leaving Faze, he dropped his debut album ‘Free me’. But it was a poor outing. He was yet to master his art. It was not until later, when he dropped fresh cuts, embarked on a collaboration spree and became a ‘go-to’ producer, that he found his way into the mainstream and became a hit-maker to court.
Today, he’s worked with almost every act searching for a hit. He’s laced beats for a lot of majors, and recorded some of the mos successful collaborations this year. With a steadily rising profile and a growing repertoire of hits, Mr. Amanyi is becoming one of the most relevant acts around. He’s grabbing more play time in clubs and on radio; and having a strong influence on today’s youth culture. He’s speaking to millions of our youths and they’re listening attentively.
How about telling them something else, apart from women and sex and marijuana and swagger?
Forgive us if were asking for too much, from a 23 year-old kid. It’s just that, with power and influence come certain responsibilities…
19 comments
One could have guessed he was all this. Ginja the ginja – swagger the swagger
Swagga your ginja.. lol
I've been watching Terry G for sometime and I have been quite impressed obviously not because of the ganga and all that, but his showmanship and ability to portray the hard grassroot streets of Naija – like no one else for example on the Tracks "Aye po gan" by Ill Bliss and more recently on "Omo Naija" by Jamix.
Terry reminds me a little bit of Fela Kuti as well those hard core New York rappers with his in your face antics in front of the camera'.
That along with his burgeoning production skills and hard working ethics (- he seems to feature on everybodys track.)is just what I think the Naija music industry needs at this point in time to keep it's cutting edge real, current and fresh.
Peace
one word 4 every1..terry g is popular because the streets can identify with him..4gt all his antics,he is hardworking..he will sing and sing and sing..am nt really a big fan of 9ja music bt terry has changed all that..he is the show these days in clubs…u go to a club and u hear over 10 songs with a particular artists vocals in them…dts wen i started takin notice….the rate at which he is going,he may soon b d biggest act in 9ja..dt means africa.he is makin other acts sit up..so i jus gotta giv it up 4 d king of d dance hall..terry g…
I am streetly 9ja boi and i luv naija songs 2 d bone,without being told terry g is d bst in 9ja concerning d dance hall songs d street songs give 2 mr amanyi is d bomb bt niky.blak is steping out in is own dance hall pattern.pls lts give d street monk a standing ovation.NIKY BLAK say sooooooooooooo peace oout.
meen if terry g no go house wt award dis year, wahala go dey coz dat guy is crazy men.
Men diz guy Terry G,iz crazy,gat loadz of talents.I think T.G shd clear up his shit,dress sense,looks,swindling peeps by not showin up 4shows,n many more,cos diz al iz drawin critics&bad belle 2his career.He iz takin over dancehall in naija.i luv ur swags boi.hope 2 collaborate wiv u soon.1 luv man peace
too much on his hands and he still have more see…he's good,mariyuwana,ginja,swagger or ninja he's running d streets…topman psych dis kids,coz u b d master of d beats,make ur shine b4 i lunch my rymz…u too mush bro.
Igbe master hw far,omo am less concerned abt ur music aspect,d way u give beat to artites are powerful infact u could ve be crowned KING OF PRODUCER,u deserve it.
NOTIN DO U TERRY G, BUT TAK'AM EASY 4UR GINGA AND SWAGER.
I think terry g has a lot swagger in store n always ginger me sometimes though i'm nt into smoking.
helo big bro i feel pain when i held about ur accident.right now i am praying to GOD almighty 4 ur quick recovering.AMEN. ELVISBAZ AKA BARON
men dat guy terry g gat alot of swagger i love him alot 2 d extent dat a copy his style not music aspest…marijuna aspest and his lyrics…terry g ur enemy must beg…becos aguoba we eghien (no one makes enemy with d king). Keep repping b-side ROBICO ONELIFE
helo big bro i feel pain when i held about ur accident.i am praying 4 GOd almighty 4 ur quick recovery.ELVISBAZ AKA BARON.
What's guyz.how are u terry g.so guy takia.
I luv tht sangalo p3
terry g carry on make u ginger ur swagger we are with u and God is with u
Afta Timaya na u! Big ups T. G!
u 2 much cari go