Exclusive Interview with “Terry tha rapman”

Terry tha rapman, real busy man to catch these days, with him working on his world domination mixtape,the zombie competition and BANS launch….the latter being a huge success with the zombie winners announced at the event. Eventually we did catch up with him and got to ask a couple of questions and get tha rapman’s views on certain issues

Dafreshcity: It’s been about 2 years since you released the ciritically-acclaimed BANS album,how would you say the reception has been in terms of sales,popularity,acceptance by the fans..hell you even added a new word to the urban dictionary

Terry tha rapman: I thank God,BANS album is an important album. Important because 5 to 10 years from now listeners will refer to dat album,it is a classic. Forget sales,I poured my heart out on it and it touched n motivated ppl,datz success! Yes the slogan is in the urban dictionary

Dafreshcity: You’ve released dope videos off the album, the “sample“, and “boys are not smiling” videos, should we except any more videos…word on the streets is that the video for “ladies only“(featuring mocheddah) is in the works

Terry tha rapman: Er…sorry time has passed I’m on to the next project

Dafreshcity: You and marco martinez are back with a better and new improved collection of the BANS tees…how did you feel when so many imitations with poorer qualities kept popping up?

Terry tha rapman: I was angry at first then kinda flattered! If it wasn’t a sellable brand it wouldn’t have been imitated. We brought out the new modified version cuz we wanted 2 seperate ourselves from d fake ones n rebrand

Dafreshcity: The demand for the BANS tees is crazy…any plans of launching a clothingline fully,more designs,more products or this is strictly for the BANS movement

Terry tha rapman: We will push out different designs and keep evolving the tees every year! Its a movement and a strong one at that

Dafreshcity: Speaking of the BANS movement,you were live at the occupy nigeria protests,it goes a long way for a rapper being active in such movements that tells ur fans alot especially cos u rap about the plight of the average nigerian man,shows ur not just about the words but the actions too…wat do u think about the policies being implemented by the government on the fuel subsidy issue?

Terry tha rapman: I don’t like talking politics honestly cuz its all a scam,feel me? I just hate seeing the masses being oppressed and doing nothing abt it,I did my bit but more shld be done

Dafreshcity: How important do u feel it is for rappers to be actively involved in political situations especially when it involves the masses?

Terry tha rapman: As a rapper you are automatically the voice of the people,the oppressed the down trodden its not about tweeting,or making songs all the time,get involved

Dafreshcity: Do u see yourself running for a political office in future?

Terry tha rapman: Nah! I don’t see myself as a political leader,never did. I’m on dat Fela tip,I’m with the people here. Power corrupts!

Dafreshcity: Ok,lets get to the matter at hand now, the world domination mixtape, what inspired the title tho?

Terry tha rapman: its the year of the underdog,the emcee to dominate this Rap world and DJ Kaywise my Alaba pinky has got my back and the streets!

Dafreshcity: How relevant would u say mixtapes are to naija hiphop seems everybody is releasing a mixtape dese days

Terry tha rapman: I don’t knw bout anyone else but I’m just doing it 4 my fans while they wait on the album,keeping the name out there

Dafreshcity: So we’ve heard the otis remix with mode 9(pure dopeness) and the banging shano with pope da hitman…who else are you working with on the mixtape?

Terry tha rapman: Pherowshuz, The Faculty, my boy Zato, Ace tha Emcee, Boogey, Blaqbonez

Dafreshcity: Your giving upcoming emcees a chance to feature on the mixtape(the zombie competition) which i think is a very great idea….are you looking to sign anybody soon?or at least mentor?

Terry tha rapman: I got a female emcee that I’m keeping secret 4 now,she’s young and can spit. I’m feeling Boogey,Blaqbonez,Phildizzle,Von Da Rapmachine n Danni, tho Boogey is an alien

Dafreshcity: As a vet in the industry,which upcoming cats have impressed u dat u’ll say we should look out for?

Terry tha rapman: Boogey, he reminds me of me when I 1st came out

Dafreshcity: Anychance of you and mode 9 releasing a collaborative album,kinda like watch the throne….cos i must say the chemistry between both of u on a track is just pure genius,boyz in my hood still rap and talk about spazmodic,then the otis remix is crazy too

Terry tha rapman: Maybe

Dafreshcity: When is the mixtape dropping?any fixed date yet?

Terry tha rapman: Mid March,no date

Dafreshcity: Personally i’m a big fan of beef in hiphop as long as it doesnt escalate into violence,i think its healthy competition and in the past a lot of emcees have dropped some of their best tracks cos of beef……if somebody actually chops enough liver to diss terry tha rapman…wat’s his reaction goin to be?

Terry tha rapman: C’mmon man (pun intended!)

Dafreshcity: So any info on your next album?

Terry tha rapman: In the works,two words: Cra-Zee!

Dafreshcity: Lastly, terry this is for the ladies,i’m not asking if your single…just tell them something you know they’ll want to hear

Terry tha rapman: I DON’T joke with my female fans at all! No disrespect 2 my male fans but I’ve had the most die-hard unconditional love from women. Its crazy,they can die 4 me,no lie! I love yall to death. #GANS

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