Enugu’s streets taught TerryTheVoice rhythm early—gospel from his mom’s choir, Afro-funk whispers near William Onyeabor’s home, the stomp of grandma’s dance circle. Years later, that same city kid carved his niche as Big Brother Naija’s iconic voice, gripping audiences with just a growl. But scripts couldn’t contain him.
Now, he trades voiceovers for verses. Paper Chase, his gritty new single, started with a producer’s beat and a studio instinct: “You feel a banger before it’s finished.” No frills, just freestyled hunger.
We sat with Terry to unpack the track, his shift from narration to melodies, and why he’s hellbent on turning life’s grit into anthems that stick. Short? Yeah. But Terry’s never needed extra words—just truth, bass, and a pulse you can’t ignore
Upper Ent: Growing up in Enugu, you were neighbors with the legendary William Onyeabor and raised in a household steeped in music (your grandmother’s dance group, your mother’s choir). How did these diverse influences—Afro-funk, traditional dance, and gospel—shape your musical identity and the themes you explore today?
Terrythevoice: Christianity was a big foundation in my family, and music played a huge role. My mom was heavily into traditional highlife, gospel, and vintage African sounds, and that shaped my ear early on. Growing up in Enugu, I was exposed to Afro-funk, and being on the same street as William Onyeabor influenced me, even if I didn’t realize it at the time. Those different elements—spirituality, tradition, and rhythm—naturally come through in my music today. They gave me a strong foundation to explore various sounds while staying rooted in my culture.
Upper Ent: Your bass voice became iconic in radio and voiceovers. How did transitioning from vocal performances for brands like Big Brother Naija to singing shape your approach to melody and delivery in tracks like “Paper Chase”?
Terrythevoice: My voice has always been my strength. Doing voiceovers for brands like Big Brother Naija trained me to be intentional with tone, pacing, and delivery. In voice acting, you create emotion and energy with just sound, and that skill naturally carried over to music. I was always experimenting with melodies in my spare time, so when I made the transition to music, I already had a good ear for what works. In Paper Chase, the melody was the first thing we worked on—it set the entire foundation before we even wrote the lyrics.
Upper Ent: Can you describe the writing process for this song?
Terrythevoice: It all started with the beat. My producer, Jesse on the Beat, sent over this melodic instrumental with a violin that immediately caught my attention. I started freestyling melodies over it, and once we locked in the chorus, the verses followed. I worked closely with my team—Jesse and Icy—to make sure we delivered a hook that was catchy and powerful. The goal was to create a song that instantly grabs people but also carries a strong message about hustle and determination.
Upper Ent: Can you walk me through the creative process for this song, from the original idea to the final product?
Terrythevoice: After locking in the beat, I focused on the chorus first. Once we had the hook, I went into the verses, structuring them around the melody. I also added vocal layers, including a female backup, to create a richer sound. The final touch was making sure the delivery had the right energy—smooth but powerful. Everything came together step by step, with each part complementing the other to create a cohesive track.
Upper Ent: Was there a specific moment during the writing or recording process that stood out to you as particularly memorable or significant?
Terrythevoice: Definitely when we finalized the chorus. The moment we played it back, we knew we had something special. The melody just hit perfectly, and everyone in the studio could feel the energy. That’s when I knew for sure that Paper Chase was a banger.
Upper Ent: From “Price on My Head” (2019) to “Paper Chase,” your music often tackles societal issues. How do you weave gritty realities (extortion, survival) into anthems that still feel empowering?
Terrythevoice: At the end of the day, I make music from real-life experiences. Whether it’s the struggle to survive or the grind for success, my songs reflect what I’ve been through and what many people go through daily. The key is to take those tough realities and present them in a way that motivates rather than discourages. Paper Chase is about the hustle, but it’s also a call to action—it’s saying, “Yeah, things are hard, but you have to keep pushing.” I want my music to inspire resilience.
