Encomium
TERRY G, a young talented vocalist who used to be a back-up singer to Faze, was supposed to be with Faze’s label, Indepedent, but he got a bit too impatient and went on to release his debut album on the stable of Bluemoon Entertainment. He titled the album, Free me, he is a producer too and a host of other songs to his credit.
His love for the reggae beat has seen him retain that style though he seems to imprint his own style strongly on every work. On Monday, August 9, 2010, he had a brief interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly about his House of Ginjah.
Excerpts…
We heard you have not been around, did you go on a musical concert or holiday to relax?
Actually, there is no time to relax at the moment. It is actually a process to success. I went on tour in Malaysia and the UK. It is all about our show thing, so I went to hustle.
How would you describe your mom?
My mom is God fearing, she is a symbol of a mother, a deaconess and mother to everybody.
Would you say you’re the closest to her?
She has never said that before, but I am close to her. I wouldn’t say I am the closest to her because I have never thought about it.
What is the pet name she calls you?
She calls me Oche and Prince. Oche is a title.
Has she been supportive to your music career?
Lately, she has been supportive because she knows its business I am trying to do. For the fact that you’re doing secular music doesn’t mean you don’t fear God. Now she understands and she is in support of it. There are some things she doesn’t like and amends would be done.
So, she wasn’t in support of your music career initially?
Yes, she wasn’t because I was into gospel music and I thought I was going to blow through gospel. But there wasn’t so much support then in church, so I had to move into secular music.
What specifically did she do to encourage you while you were starting out?
As a choir mistress in The Redeemed Christian Church of God (Praise Palace), as the first child in my house, I didn’t have a choice. She goes to church from Monday to Sunday for prayers, coordinating the choir, rehearsals and so many things. So, I usually go with her. It was this period I got the inspiration, idea, zeal from all her stress.
What was her reaction when you released your first single?
She was very happy about it.
Is she not worried with all the controversies trailing your career?
She is not worried because sometimes when she gets those papers, she calls me. She would say, ‘See all what they are saying again.’ I tell her not to worry and that she knows how the music industry is. I tell her not to believe anything that is written about me. Thank God she trusts her son, so she believes me when I tell her not to worry.
Still on your mum, we learnt you just furnished a building for her?
Jesus, how did you know? I did that for my parents and not my mom alone. So, it is true.
Where is the place?
Somewhere around where I was born, where I grew up and everyone knows me. Akute precisely.
Why the decision?
Change is constant. And we pray and hope for the best.
How precious is she to you?
She is the best.
Any plan to build a house for her in future?
Of course, because it would ease my stress.
Can we know a little about your dad?
My dad is a soldier, he is a man of zeal, strong and he takes decision and works towards it; a very loving dad.
Where is he?
He is in Lagos, we all stay together.
You made a statement during an award presentation that someone just have to represent the street. Has street life been easy?
It hasn’t been easy, meeting a variety of people and trying to relate with them. That means you have to be available before these people come around.
What is happening to House of Ginjah?
I used to say people should not get it twisted. Ginjah is the zeal that makes you do what you do as a banker or lawyer. So, when I say Ginjah or Swagga, it means Ginjah is the zeal and the Swagga is what you do. House of Ginjah is a new crew forming D-Money, Rakwell, I.G and Prince Banton, featuring Hitman. The album is out already. We would be getting more people into the House of Ginjah. They are the first set of people to come into the house. I would do an individual album for them and another crew will come in and will do an album for them each. We would be getting more members soon.
What do you intend to achieve with this?
It is all about showing love to the street because a lot of them don’t have the opportunity, but they have the talent and they are the most talented ones. But they do not have the financial support. So, we try to do our best for them.
What is the title of the album?
8th Mainland Bridge.
What should your fans be expecting from you?
They should be expecting House of Ginjah –8th Mainland Bridge and definitely before the end of this year I am dropping three of my singles. Also, they should expect D-Money’s album. I should be shooting Sangalow’s video very soon.
THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN ENCOMIUM WEEKLY ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2010
