Nigerian singer Gabriel Oche Amanyi, popularly known as Terry G, has sparked conversation online after claiming he made a rare cultural impact on the Nigerian music industry by being the first to publicly smoke cannabis on screen.
The “Free Madness” crooner, known for his eccentric style and energetic performances, asserted that his boldness gave today’s artistes the confidence to freely display cannabis use in their music videos and online content.
In a post shared via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, the self-styled Akpako Master wrote, “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’s comment quickly drew mixed reactions, with many online users questioning the accuracy of his claim. Critics pointed out that Nigerian music legends, particularly Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, had long been known for openly smoking cannabis, both on and off screen, decades before Terry G’s rise to fame.
While some fans praised Terry G for his fearless and unconventional contributions to Nigerian pop culture, others dismissed his statement as an overreach.
The singer, who dominated the airwaves in the late 2000s and early 2010s, has often been credited for introducing a unique and chaotic sound that influenced a generation of street pop artistes.
