TerryTheVoice doesn’t just make music—he builds worlds. A former radio host and voice actor turned hip-hop storyteller, Terry’s journey from cobbling together downloaded beats to crafting anthems like “Paper Chase” is rooted in instinct, not algorithms. Here, he keeps it refreshingly real: how a haunting violin loop sparked a track’s DNA, why his voice-acting past taught him to “wear” rhythms like a second skin, and the art of turning his gratitude (“Alhamdulillah”) into a mirror for listeners’ struggles. Just a conversation about scrappy choices (RIP, rejected sample), trusting your gut, and why chasing authenticity will always outshine chasing trends.
A birdie told us you were experimenting with downloaded beats early in your career. Walk us through your creative process now—do you start with lyrics, melodies, or beats when crafting a song like “Paper Chase”?
It almost always starts with the beat. For Paper Chase, my producer sent me this instrumental with a violin melody that immediately stood out. That set the mood. Once I have the beat, I freestyle melodies over it, and from there, the lyrics follow naturally. The hook comes first because that’s what carries the energy of the song.
How has your background in radio and voice acting influenced your songwriting—particularly your attention to rhythm, pacing, and tonal texture in tracks?
Radio and voice acting taught me how to be in character with my voice. Just like in voiceovers, where you adjust tone and pacing for different moods, music requires the same control. You have to embody the rhythm, make sure your pace aligns with the beat, and fine-tune the texture of your vocals to fit the emotion of the song. With music, though, I have more creative freedom to explore different vocal styles.
Your lyrics often feel autobiographical (“Alhamdulillah” references your come-up). How do you balance personal vulnerability with universal relatability?
I make sure my music is real, but also something people can see themselves in. Even when I’m telling my personal story, I frame it in a way that anyone on a similar journey can connect with. For example, Alhamdulillah is about my gratitude and rise, but it resonates with anyone who has struggled and overcome. That’s the balance—keeping it personal but open enough for listeners to see their own story in it.
“Paper Chase” has a gritty yet polished energy. How did you collaborate with producers to achieve that balance, and were there any unexpected creative pivots?
We worked closely to make sure the mix was clean but still had raw energy. The key was layering the vocals properly—my voice had to sit right in the mix so it carried weight but still flowed smoothly. At one point, we considered adding a sample, but we felt it might take away from the focus of the track, so we cut it. Every choice was made to keep the balance between grit and polish.
What’s one idea or lyric you loved but had to cut from “Paper Chase” to sharpen its message?
We initially wanted to add a sample, but we felt it might be distracting, so we removed it. The focus needed to stay on the core message of the song.
What’s a creative risk you’ve taken in your career that paid off, and what’s one you’re still hesitant to try?
Shooting the video for Alhamdulillah was a big risk—I wasn’t sure if the song would blow up, but I believed in it. It turned out to be one of my best decisions. As for risks I haven’t taken yet, I want to collaborate with a major artist, but sometimes the industry politics and financial side make that tricky. Still, I know I’ll make it happen when the time is right.
