In this interview with MICHAEL OKIKIOLA, controversial singer and music producer, Gabriel Oche-Amanyi, popularly known as Terry G, talks about his life and other issues
You have been involved in less controversy since you became a father, has it changed anything about you?
Yes, definitely. It has changed my lifestyle, I’m now a homely man; always at home playing with my kid. This has made me to be calm.
How will you describe Mimi, your baby’s mother?
She is lovely, understanding and very intelligent. It is always difficult to find the right partner, but I’m lucky to have found her.
How did your paths crossed and when?
I and Mimi have been together for over seven years now. We have also been working together, she has been in charge of my music affairs, and when it comes to the organization of my projects, she has been quite supportive. Though she doesn’t come out in public, she has been awesome.
What attracted you to her?
I told you it is very hard for men of nowadays to find the right woman, but what I was looking for was a homely girl; that is the best attraction any man can get. Even your Mum will tell you that you must bring a responsible girl home. That is the image she has.
Aside singing and producing, you have also registered yourself as a music video director. When did you discover the skill?
It has been there for a long time, there has not just been the right opportunity to exploit it. It has to do with your imagination. As an intellectual artiste, you should be in the best position to interpret the visuals of your songs. You just need one or two technical abilities. I have actually waited for this time and we are getting there.
Your personality means different things to different people. Who actually is Terry G?
Terry G is just a business man, and a man who has chosen a path to follow. He is a crazy entertainer on stage; up to date and energetic.
When you first came to the industry, you referred to yourself as Mr. Bling-bling, later it was Ginger, Akpako Master, and later, you said people should call you Lucifer (devil)?
A lot of people got it wrong; nevertheless, I’m in support of controversy. I knew it was going to cause controversies. What I actually meant was ‘look see far’; meaning I’m seeing ahead. I told my crew members that it was going to generate controversies and I enjoyed it.
To what extent do you enjoy controversies?
Not 100 percent because there are some controversies that are accidental; you don’t plan for them; and there are some controversies that come for good. For instance, when I had a baby, bought a car; these are positive controversies that everybody likes. Let me say I like positive controversies.
Considering how wild you are, many people will not believe that you started music from the church, and as a gospel artiste?
Sometimes, you need to put yourself in people’s shoes. When a preacher is preaching to you, and you already knew all what he was going to say, it might not sound interesting. I think God knows why He chose a path for everybody because if you look at it, everybody has done gospel music at some point; it worked for some people, and didn’t work for some. That is because we have different purposes in life.
I know you recorded a gospel album before delving into secular music. How will you describe yourself between then and now?
I will say it was a process. Everything in life demands experience. Some people are there right now just because they understand the market. It will get to a level where you will understand that it is more than just singing; it has to do with showbiz- the talent and business side of it. So, I have understood that with time, there are certain ways you can still do it.
Are you saying gospel music don’t sell?
I didn’t say so. The truth is that in all my albums, there is an element of gospel. There will be a track where I will praise God. Gospel music comes from the heart, because what you sing should portray who you are. You can be singing gospel music and still be a great sinner, so you can’t judge me for playing secular music.
Will you go back to gospel music anytime soon?
By God’s grace; it has been prophesied that God is going to use me to prophesy to multitudes, and I think I’m already doing that in a way, but when God calls me at the right time, I will go for it.
You need to make certain clarifications about your personality. Perhaps, due to your energetic stage craft and lyrics, some people perceive you to be an addicted Indian hemp smoker?
Well, these things are attached to secular music; everybody doesn’t do it but I think 99 percent of us are seen doing it. The fact about life is that everything has control. There is a reason for everything. If you ask me, it doesn’t have to do with the fact that people say I take Indian hemp. It has to do with the talent that I have. If I take Indian hemp and I’m not creative or naturally intellectual, it won’t work. Besides, if you look at it, I’m not the only one.
How do you write your songs? Where does the inspiration come from?
I was born in the ghetto; Iju area of Lagos. I will say my environment inspires me. I’m a very down-to-earth person. I relate with the people you don’t expect, just because I have an agenda. I’m a business man and my market strategy is on the streets, so I have to relate with the street to get my content. Basically, my environment inspires me.
You have been adjudged one of the best beat makers in Nigeria. How do you feel?
I have been a producer even before I started singing. I play all the musical instruments, so I’m full of sounds and creativity. I don’t write my music, but the beat is the inspiration behind my freestyles and songs, this is because I make the beats before I sing, so my beat inspires me.
You don’t write your songs?
I have never written any of my songs. I only do freestyle. You can ask anybody close to me. It is an imagination, a magnetic memory. The environment itself helps. You just need to decide on the topic first then everything in your memory comes to play. You can use creative words that are not existing, add them to the ones that exist to make a good sound.
How challenging is it to remain relevant?
I don’t have challenges. I just try to improve myself; I don’t compete or copy anybody because my style of music is different from what other people do. I try to be versatile in my own way.
You have done much collaboration. Which of them is your favourite?
Malonogedege with Timaya. That was a very good sound; it gives you life when you listen to it. I love the song and I appreciate the fact that I did it with Timaya because he is my good friend and my son’s godfather.
Some artistes have in the past accused you of either stealing their beats or songs. Can clear the air?
People often make this mistake; you don’t say someone stole your beat when it is not your intellectual property. A production belongs to the producer, and he has the right to give his beat to anybody. If I give you a free beat from my heart and you stab me from the back, I don’t have to be violent because there are ways to kill your market. That is why I deliberately do some stuff. I’m a human being.
Where do you place yourself in the industry?
I’m at the top of my game and I wish to be better everyday.
What does your daily routine looks like?
I said it earlier on that I’m more of an indoor person now. If I’m not working in the studio, I will be with my son at home. I don’t go out anymore.
What’s your definition of fashion?
Fashion means presence; it is value and determines how people rate you.
You pierced several parts of your body. Don’t you get uncomfortable with it at times?
You wouldn’t want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. The only way it might inconvenience you is when you listen to the negative things people are saying. So if you want to do something, do it the way it pleases you. I’m comfortable with my piercing.
If you have the privilege to change something about yourself, what will it be?
I love driving, and I deny my driver of his duties most times. May be I need to change that. But talking about my person, it can’t change. You can’t change what brings food to your table; so far it is not negative.
