Controversial Nigerian artist and entertainer Gabriel Oche Amanyi, better known as Terry G, has ignited heated conversations across social media after asserting that he was the pioneer of openly smoking cannabis on screen in the Nigerian music industry.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) page, the Akpako Master declared that his influence broke cultural barriers, allowing today’s artists to comfortably display marijuana use in their music videos and public content.
“No hard feelings, it’s all love, but no forget say if no be my sacrifice, none of your fav go get liver to smoke Igbo for screen,” Terry G posted.
The comment quickly drew mixed reactions, sparking a fiery debate online. While some of his fans hailed him as a trailblazer who pushed boundaries with his unfiltered persona and wild stage presence, many others disagreed.
No hard feelings,it’s all love,but no forget say if no be my sacrifice,none of your fav go get liver to smoke Igbo for screen 🤣
— Terry G (@IamTerryg) June 22, 2025
Critics were quick to push back, pointing to Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who was famously open about his cannabis use as far back as the 1970s, long before Terry G’s rise to prominence in the late 2000s. Others also cited the likes of Majek Fashek, Daddy Showkey, and other veterans known for their unconventional lifestyles and defiant image in Nigerian pop culture.
Still, Terry G’s claim has reopened discussions around censorship, self-expression, and the evolution of rebellious artistry in Nigerian entertainment. While his influence—particularly in the Free Madness era—is widely acknowledged for reshaping street music with chaotic energy and eccentric visuals, many argue that the normalisation of on-screen smoking long predates his time.
As debates rage on across various platforms, one thing is clear: Terry G has once again managed to stir the pot, reminding fans and critics alike of his polarising impact on the industry.