Terry Apala: How botched record deal nearly stalled my career for two years

Terry Apala has narrated how a botched record deal nearly stalled his career for two years.

The singer also spoke of how he rejected a contract from Don Jazzy, the Mavin Records founder, in 2015.

Apala conversed with the media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo on a court case with his record label Nelson Jack.

He had gotten signed to Nelson Jack Music in 2015 but a contract dispute erupted, forcing the singer to pull out.

“I had a lawyer even before I got to meet Nelson Jack. They were not executing the contract. There are some things they were supposed to be doing that they were not doing. So, we had some issues,” the singer said.

“We already had our plans and knew how the brand was supposed to go, but some things were not right.

“We settled it amicably, and I said that since I can’t get these things, I have to pull out. It was a good decision as it helped me to a point but it did not get me to the height I was expecting.”

Apala said another issue came up around 2021 when Nelson Jack secured an injunction on his music career.

“The court told me that I am not allowed to drop songs for a year or two. I was not allowed to have any interviews or shows,” he said.

“All I was doing was to record new songs in my home studio. I was not functioning. I went through hell, but I am back. At one point, I was begging for food to eat. But this whole thing taught me more about life.”

Apala recalled how he rejected a deal with the record producer Don Jazzy for fear of being second priority in a label.

He said his now-late mother had advised him to exploit his uniqueness when Don Jazzy offered him a deal.

“I met Don Jazzy in 2015, and he almost signed me, but I was the problem,” Apala narrated.

“My mom had said something to me; she said, ‘Your kind of music is different. If you’re going to be on any record label, you have to be the first. If you are not the first, you can’t be the second.’

“That was the mindset that I had. So, when we had the meeting, I think in 2015, a week after we met, he sent me the contract. But I couldn’t sign it because I knew where I was coming from.

“That same year I got a call from Burna Boy’s mom. All these things were giving me ginger already. Like, ‘This apala sound, people love it.’ Burna Boy was there already. I can’t be the second face; I have to be the first.

“So that same year, I got signed to Nelson Jack because I was the face of Nelson Jack music.”