Terry Ganzie the original ‘Outlaw’ is back

One of the marquee dancehall artistes of the 1990s, Terry Ganzie is once again immersed in music. He has returned to his roots after a self-imposed hiatus from the music business to concentrate on raising his family and to exorcise his personal grouses with the complicated internal politics and promotion dynamics of the music business.

“There were people trying to keep me out, so I just sit and waited on my time to ‘go road’ again. I have been consistently recording music, but there was no hardcore promotion going on. But I am ready to step out on them again,” an animated Terry Ganzie said.

He is promoting his latest single, We Rise, a song that blends reggae, dancehall, and Afrobeats elements to deliver a message of hope, resilience, and perseverance. Produced by Temps Music LLC, the song has already generated rave reviews online.

“ We Rise is more than just a song. It is an anthem for black people in Africa and across the world, calling for unity, empowerment, and the strength to overcome struggles,” Terry Ganzie said.

“This song was recorded from October last year, long before the rise of Ibrahim Traoré and Burkina Faso in Africa and the new movement of independence that is rejecting foreign interference all across Africa,” he said.

Terry Ganzie is known for songs that project a fiery Rastafarian message. However, his earlier songs, such as Welcome The Outlaw, Ragga Ragga, and Whosoever Will, were dance-crashers in the 1990s. He insists that his current songs are just as potent despite the lack of consistent airplay. Recently, he assembled a competent management and promotional team and placed a renewed emphasis on promoting his social media pages.

“I have recorded so many hit songs, and none of dem never hit the Jamaican charts. What that tell you? People know of the great works, but people like to talk and spread propaganda. But if something is not important, people wouldn’t talk about it so mek dem talk,” he said, emphatically.

THE OUTLAW

He said he never christened himself ‘The Outlaw’. That nom de guerre was bestowed upon him by his dancehall fans.

“Certain artiste don’t get no title. Capleton was called ‘The Prophet’ based on his song. Louie Culture got the name ‘Gangalee’, and so it is the same with me. I got mine based on the Outlaw song,” the man who hails from the Askenish district in Hanover said.

The Outlaw image earned him a rude bwoy reputation, which was further enhanced when he recorded Bounty Hunting, a “diss” track aimed at fellow dancehall artiste Bounty Killer, which caused a rumoured confrontation at a show in Waltham Park, Kingston 13, in 1997.

“Bounty is a form of sheriff that gets rewards to hurt an outlaw. That was, basically, what that was all about,” he said, laughing. “I was the first one to stand up to Bounty Killer at the time mentally and physically. Everyone else was running from him.”

During that first face-off, Terry Ganzie asked for his riddim, but it wasn’t played and then Bounty Killer took over the show with a slew of hit songs, including Wutliss Bwoy, War Buss, and others. Terry Ganzie did not deejay because the promoters “locked his sound”.

A second incident happened one year later. Terry Ganzie and Bounty Killer were both billed for the same event and ended up on stage at the same time in front of 40,000 fans in Miami, Florida.

“Me chat one song, and him chat one song, and he never went no further because Bounty was surprised by the huge forward mi get. Then his manager, Peter, came up to me and tried to hug me up and say ‘Is not nuh war ting’. It wasn’t physical. It settle and done right de so,” he said.

The two have since buried the hatchet and have mutual respect for each other.

“Bounty Killer give me respect as a country yute, rooted and grounded. Me and Bounty Killer a come too far ... me and him never go at it like him and Beenie. Music is not a competition. Is just a one song mi do. Mi no carry no hatred for no man. The motive for all that was a power struggle. Killer even big me up inna interview, and me do the same,” Ganzie explained.

IMPRESSIVE CATALOGUE

During his heyday, Terry Ganzie produced an impressive catalogue of hits.

He has outstanding albums such as his début Team Up, produced by Bobby Digital; Outlaw Nuff Reward, produced by Lloyd ‘John John’ James, in 1993; and Heavy Like Lead, which was released by Profile Records, an affiliate of Atlantic Records. Team Up sold more than one million units.

Born Vandorne Johnson in Hanover, Terry Ganzie emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s as one of the most respected voices in reggae and dancehall. Influenced by greats such as Barry Brown and Super Cat, Terry Ganzie became known for his socially conscious lyrics and uncompromising “reality” style. He worked the circuit in Hanover before recording his first song, More Vibes, 30 years ago for Ed Robinson’s Top Rank label.

His breakthrough song was Welcome The Outlaw, a hard-hitting, grimy gem of a song produced by John John. A flood of hits such as Ragga Ragga (Bobby Digital), Whosoever Will, Showdown (Penthouse Records), and Prepare fi War (Shocking Vibes) established him as one who addressed real-life struggles through music.

Now partnering with Temps Music LLC and Afro Music World Live, Terry Ganzie continues to inspire both longtime fans and new listeners. Other songs to look out for include Motherless Child, Jah Will Be There (which is doing well in Trinidad), Call Me, So Long, and Free Me Up.

“Jamaica accepted me, but is like a power struggle. A king is without honour in his own country, but I get a different kind of respect from Trinidad, Barbados, the whole Caribbean. Mi get love all over the world. That love and respect is more joyous and overwhelming, but mi still hold my own in Jamaica. “ Terry Ganzie said.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com