Nigerian innovator Terry Apala returns with a bold new project, Terry Apala & The Groove9, a 4-track album that merges highlife, apala, and afro-fusion into one cohesive soundscape. Known for fusing tradition with trend, Terry delivers a genre-defying experience that honours heritage while breaking new ground.
This project is a collaboration with The Groove9, a live band known for their rich, organic instrumentation. The result is a sonic experience that feels both raw and refined. Each track is performed with live instruments, placing percussive detail, brass sections, and earthy strings front and centre.
Terry Apala & The Groove9 highlights the singer’s mastery of Yoruba cadence, gritty vocal textures, and storytelling. His signature Apala rhythm remains the heartbeat, but this time, it’s layered with jazz, funk, and highlife elements that evoke smoky lounges and late-night Lagos sets.
The four songs explore different moods—from soulful meditations to energetic jams. Lyrically, Terry reflects on life, legacy, and the weight of self-awareness in today’s fast-paced world. The project feels ceremonial, almost spiritual, yet grounded in groove and grit.
In just four tracks, Terry Apala proves that tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully. With The Groove9 providing depth and dynamism, the album stands as a modern-day Afrofusion live session that rewards both careful listening and full-body movement.
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