Nigerian music star and self-proclaimed “Akpako Master,” Terry G, has stirred fresh controversy with a bold statement about legacy and relevance in the music industry.
In a tweet shared on June 25, 2025, the “Free Madness” crooner responded to those who say his time in the spotlight is over by comparing himself to American music powerhouses Beyoncé and Jay-Z. According to Terry G, Nigerian audiences are too quick to dismiss their own legends while Western icons are celebrated and respected regardless of the stage of their careers.
I hear people say, “Your time don pass!”—and it sounds like brain damage.
— Terry G (@IamTerryg) June 25, 2025
In the West, legends are respected for life. No one calls jayz or Beyoncé outdated. Their impact is honored.
But here in Africa, especially Nigeria, we’re quick to discard our own. That’s why we believe… pic.twitter.com/jIGJl7XTUB
“I hear people say, ‘Your time don pass!’, and it sounds like brain damage. In the West, legends are respected for life. No one calls Jay-Z or Beyoncé outdated. Their impact is honoured,” he wrote.
Terry G went on to criticize what he described as a culture of tearing down Nigerian musicians, linking it to a deeper issue of internalized inferiority among Africans.
“But here in Africa, especially Nigeria, we’re quick to discard our own. That’s why we believe our ancestors were evil, while Western ancestors are seen as gods. It’s time to break free from that mindset. If you don’t keep adding value to yourself and those around you, your worth will fade, no matter how great you once were. We must do better.”
The post instantly went viral, igniting intense conversations on social media. While some users ridiculed the comparison, others agreed with his broader point about the lack of support for aging entertainers in Nigeria.
Critics were quick to highlight that both Beyoncé and Jay-Z remain active in music and business, suggesting that longevity in entertainment requires continued effort and evolution.
“Terry G sir. Jay-Z is still working. Beyoncé is currently on tour. What exactly are you doing?” one user commented.
Others defended his stance, calling out the Nigerian entertainment industry for failing to properly honour its pioneers and veteran acts.
“He has a point… We don’t celebrate our own… Just a culture of beefs and jealousy. Na for only Nigeria we dey see celebrity of ‘before before’ whereas abroad, it’s ‘once a legend, forever a legend.’”
Terry G’s latest comments come as yet another reminder of the ongoing debate over how Nigerian artists are treated after their peak, and whether the industry does enough to preserve the legacies of those who helped shape its foundation.
