Terry G says he paved the way for artists to freely smoke on screen

Terry G Sparks Debate After Claiming He Normalized On-Screen Cannabis Use Among Artists

Nigerian singer Terry G has ignited a social media storm by asserting that he was the trailblazer who made it acceptable for artists to openly smoke cannabis on screen. 

The controversial singer, born Gabriel Oche Amanyi, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to declare that his “sacrifice” paved the way for today’s artists to confidently display marijuana use in videos and public appearances. 

“No hard feelings, it’s all love, but don’t forget that if not for my sacrifice, none of your faves would have had the guts to smoke Igbo on screen,” he wrote. 

His claim quickly drew backlash, with critics pointing out that music legends like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti were openly smoking cannabis as far back as the 1970s—long before Terry G’s rise in the late 2000s. Others referenced icons such as Majek Fashek and Daddy Showkey, who were known for their rebellious personas and unabashed lifestyles decades earlier. 

The debate continues to rage online, with some defending Terry G’s influence on modern pop culture, while others argue that the normalization of on-screen smoking predates his career.