Terry G Urges Nigerians to Respect Music Legends, Warns Against Cultural Disregard

Veteran Afrobeats singer Gabriel Oche Amanyi, better known as Terry G, has called on Nigerians to show lasting respect to music legends, regardless of whether they are currently in the spotlight.

In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the Akpako Master expressed concern over the way African, particularly Nigerian, society often dismisses its own music pioneers as “irrelevant” once they’re no longer trending.

Terry G contrasted this mindset with the Western world, where he noted that icons like Jay-Z and Beyoncé are still celebrated and revered, no matter how long they’ve been in the industry.

“I hear people say, ‘Your time don pass!’ — and it sounds like brain damage,” he wrote.

“In the West, legends are respected for life. But here in Africa, we quickly discard our own. That’s why we revere foreign ancestors and demonize our own.”

He went on to warn that if this culture of disrespect continues, it could damage the very foundation of Afrobeats, regardless of its current global success.

Terry G added that self-growth and contribution to others is essential, but so is preserving the legacy of those who paved the way. He urged fans and the music industry alike to shift their perspective and begin honouring legends instead of pushing them aside.

“If you don’t keep adding value to yourself and others, your worth will fade,” he noted. “But that doesn’t mean we should forget those who helped build the path. We must do better.”