"TERRY G", HOW DRUGS AND ALCOHOL RUINED MY CAREER

He might not have moved to the Lekki part of Lagos at the time every Nigerian celeb boasted about it but no one can argue that Terry G has added some style to his recent upgrade.

Branded eccentric by some, tagged as weird by many others, the notable producer and ‘Free Madness’ singer has just acquired a house in Lekki, relocating from the Fagba area he has become almost synonymous with throughout his career.

That is not all: Terry G has now added a Ferrari to his fleet of whips, making a statement that he is not only back in the league – he’s sitting on top of it.

Considering how long he has been around, it would be difficult to argue with him when he reacted to fan felicitations on Instagram by writing: ‘Thank you fans, but I deserve something better than this.’

The Apako Master, as he is also widely known by fans and music lovers, has surely paid his dues having consistently entertained music lovers with several hits for a decade.

Born Amanyi Oche Gabriel, Terry G got involved in music as a protégé of Faze, a former member of one of Nigeria’s most notable pop groups, the now-defunct Plantashun Boiz. Identified as a talented backup singer of Faze, he was in fact on course to get a deal from his (Faze) Independent Entertainment before an irresistible offer came his way from Bluemoon Entertainment.

Speaking about his decision to leave the Fagba area of Lagos where he has lived all his life to his new Lekki home, Terry G tells NET: ‘I never thought I would move out of the ‘hood’. This is where I have been all my life. I played ball on the streets like everybody.’

As far he is concerned, he has always been able to afford moving to Lekki, regarded widely as a choice part of Lagos State. He says he chose to remain in the hood which influenced his outlook on life and where he is widely adored.

‘So when the fame came, I thought I should remain with my friends. I have always had money to get a place in Lekki but I was thinking it’s uncalled for. But now I realised that I really have to move because of my career. Not that I am going to abandon my ‘hood, I still have houses there, my parents and my friends are still there, anyone who knows me will know that.’

Terry G, who launched his water-purifying factory for the production of bottle and sachet water earlier in the year, was residing in a 6-bedroom duplex around Fagba which he bought around 4 years ago.

Asked what will become of his house at Fagba, the Benue State-born artiste said: ‘I have been thinking of having a standard bakery. It’s like I will have to convert it to a bakery.

Terry G’s new home is located in Osapa London and is worth about N70m. Along with his newly acquired Ferrari, which sources say is worth around N50m if bought in Nigeria (most Nigerian celebs source their cars from cheap markets in Europe and America), Terry G must be one of the biggest spenders in town at the moment.

However, Terry has had his own fair share of the pains that come with fame. The energetic singer was at a point involved in many controversies that almost ruined his career. If he wasn’t in the news for fighting at a bar then; it would be about not showing up for a show after he was paid to perform. Along with these are reports that he was hooked on drugs, which he confirmed in a revealing interview while announcing that he has since come clean after an unnamed Nollywood actress introduced him to drugs.

The negative stories affected his career, so much that it was becoming difficult to get performance engagements. More significant, the bad press prevented him from getting a look-in when corporate firms looking at acts to endorse beamed their searchlight on the industry....

Terry G’s life however took a good turn when his baby mama, Mimi, whom he met on a trip to London some years ago, delivered his son, Rex. The Benue State-born singer and Mimi have been living together for over 4 years and the beautiful lady, who is from a rich family in Edo State, has been acting as his manager for a while.

Responsible for many hit tracks on rotation today, Terry G released an album which though heavy on the production end, was not quite successful around 2009. Not downcast, he fell back on his production skills and achieved a measure of fame upon producing 2 Shot’s popular single, ‘In Case You Never Know’ featuring then new kid on the block, Timaya.

Terry G has a passion for Reggae and dancehall, but like the eclectic 2face Idibia, he flirts endlessly with pop and hip-hop.

Busy also as an artiste, he remains one of the exceptional and most-sought-after beat makers in Nigeria as evident in the hits he has churned out and stellar cast of acts he has worked with including AY.com (Pass me your love), ‘Aye Po Gan’ by Illbliss, ‘One by One’ by Side 1 and several others.

Either referred to as Intellectual Spiritual Madman or Ginjah D Swagger exponent, there is no mistaking the fact that Terry G knows how to make people dance without fail.

Unknown to many, Terry G also directs his own videos under his company, Terry G Productions and has directed more than 7 videos already including the trending ‘See Groove’. He also featured in the video of Nollywood actress and upcoming singer, Tonto Dikeh’s ‘Crazically Fit’ which he also produced.

Terry G’s story is a story of a turn around, the type that inspires hope that everyone, no matter how bad things may look, can turn the corner. Today, apart from the new Lekki home and luxury car, he owns his own studio and building in Fagba and things are looking up once more. Backed by a new management and overhauled image, pundits say he will likely find favour again with brands and promoters.

That’s, as one fan puts it, ‘if he doesn’t mess it all up again.’...

Thenetng