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Terry Apala explains his decision to turn down offers from Burna Boy and Mavin Records.
Apala hip-hop musician Terry Alexandar Ejeh, widely known as Terry Apala, has recently opened up about the reasons behind his decision to decline opportunities to join Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records and Burna Boy’s Spaceship Entertainment.
In an exclusive interview with The Nation, Terry Apala revealed that his mother played a crucial role in shaping his career choices. Encouraging him to be the face of any record label he signs with, her influence significantly impacted his decision-making process.
Despite receiving tempting offers from industry heavyweights Don Jazzy and Burna Boy, Terry chose to align himself with Nelson Jack, a record label where he could hold a central position as the main artist. This decision reflects his commitment to maintaining a prominent role in his artistic journey and staying true to the guidance provided by his mother.
“I was the problem,” Terry expressed. “My mum said something to me; she said, ‘Your kind of music is different from what your colleagues are doing. If you are gonna be in any record label, you are to be the face.'”
Recounting his encounters with Don Jazzy and Burna Boy in 2015, Terry shared, “I met Don Jazzy in 2015, like a week after we met, he sent me the contract, but I could not sign it because I already knew where I was coming from.”
He continued, “That same year, I got a call from Burna Boy’s mum, like Burna Boy is there already. I cannot be the second face; I have to be the face. So, in 2015, I got signed to Nelson Jack because I was the face.”
Terry Apala further disclosed the challenges he encountered during his tenure with Nelson Jack, shedding light on issues with the record label that hindered him from releasing songs, participating in interviews, and performing for an extended period.
Reflecting on the hardships he endured, Terry stated, “Two years ago, I wasn’t doing anything. I had an issue with the record label, and the court told me that I was not allowed to drop songs for a year or two. I was not allowed to have any interviews or shows.”
He added, “At one point, I was begging for food to eat. But this whole thing taught me more about life. Sometimes, life is always wicked, you have to know what you want. Thank God for the Apala fusion because if I was doing like other sounds, Terry Apala would have gone.”
Terry Apala’s perseverance and dedication to his own musical style have surely molded his career in the music industry, underscoring the significance of artistic uniqueness and originality.