The rise and rise of Terry Tha Rapman

    You left Abuja for Lagos, the reason being greener pastures. Would you say that you have found them? In a way I would say yes, considering the fact that Lagos is the centre of entertainment. Abuja has entertainment going on but it cannot be compared to the Lagos scene. The media is here, […]

 

 

You left Abuja for Lagos, the reason being greener pastures. Would you say that you have found them?

In a way I would say yes, considering the fact that Lagos is the centre of entertainment. Abuja has entertainment going on but it cannot be compared to the Lagos scene. The media is here, the marketers too, along with everyone who counts in the industry. That does not mean I am no longer Abuja-affiliated. I have got more endorsements here in Lagos, so I can say that I have moved on to greener pastures.

How successful was your last album?

I will not say that it was very successful because it lacked two things – promotion and packaging. It was not promoted as much as I would have wanted it to be. At the time I was with Charles Novia’s November Records. I felt that he probably did not put enough money into promotion and the publicity of the album. It was basically the name that I have made over the years that helped push up the sales.

Insiders say your split with Novia was a bit unpleasant. Could you give us an insight to that?

No, no that is not true. We had no problem at all. Our agreement was a one-album deal. The option was if after one year I was satisfied with them, I could sign on for more. But after one year, I felt it was time to move on. I hooked up with my childhood friend, Jay Vox (Yisa Jibrin) and we started Megaphunk Records. There is no love lost, we still keep in touch and we are even talking about working on some movie projects in the nearest future.

So the rumours that you want to venture into Nollywood are true?

Yes. When I was with Charles Novia, I found myself in the Nollywood circuit a lot. I did a movie, Caught in the middle with RMD and Dakore, which he directed. That was my way of learning the ropes.

But you are notorious for knocking Nollywood actresses who venture into music. How come you are now venturing into acting?

There is nothing wrong with an actor or actress venturing into music. But they have to be able to do it right. Look at Jennifer Lopez. She has distinguished herself in both fields. A lot of them were not doing it right. It is something everybody thinks about but don’t voice it out. So I felt the need to address it. If I am not doing well in Nollywood, I will do one piece and leave it at that.

You have always taken shots at Alaba marketers. But now it appears you have partnered with T-Joe, one of them. Why the change of heart?

The music industry is so messed up that we depend on these Alaba people for distribution. If the industry was better organized, we would have no need for them. It is like being stuck in a well and the only help available is the hand of your enemy.
I was not attacking them, I was pointing out that we needed them especially with the fact that they act as our A&R in the end.

But you know they are seen or regarded as ‘rehabilitated pirates’…

Yes.

So obviously now, you are dinning with the devil.  Can you tell us what long spoon you have brought to the table?

As the saying goes, you can only use a thief to catch a thief. The thing is when you are working with these people, do your own CDs and put them out in the market. That leaves it at the risk of being pirated and there is nothing you can do about it. There is no way you can go out there and start pushing them out.
But when you work with them, they know who and who the pirates are and know how to handle them. They even have the Alaba police who arrest them and they are the only ones who can actually deal with their own people.
We prefer to do business with them because they have a stake in the business and will go all out to protect it, rather than do it on our own and now have to start policing them from pirating it.

What should fans look forward to when they buy your new CD?

The album is basically the journey of the Nigerian hustler from education to job hunt, religious crises to almost anything. The piece tries to make something out of nothing. From the beginning of the album I am trying to make it to my success goal. Midway you see me getting there as I become a superstar. Towards the end of the album, you encounter a more sober Terry Tha Rapman who acknowledges that he has to take things one step at a time and that there is really nothing to worry about in life and appreciate the little things that matter.

Have you also gone to do your videos in South Africa as is the current trend?

No, I haven’t. I believe in the pro-Nigeria phenomenon. I don’t see why I should be singing about Nigeria and showing South African sceneries.  Whatever can be done anywhere else can be done here as well.

You are notorious for having crazy female fans. What is the craziest thing any of them has done?

I think it was on Facebook, where one of them threatened another female fan to keep off from me because I was her man. I had never met and had no clue who she was. I had to step in and ask her to stop it as it was absolutely wrong of her to do such.

You are a well-known comicbook reader. Which are your favourites and why?

Batman, for sure. I like the superheroes who try to do good but are sometimes perceived as the bad guy and his actions are misinterpreted. The other one is Spiderman whom I perceive as a very troubled fellow. He doesn’t immediately appeal as one who could fit the role of superhero and looks regular with all the attributes of a regular guy. Like me.