Many of us have heard the name, though many others still say it's not original. But Guyana Baboo is the original name, though it was inspired by "a group of old ladies singing Bangali Baboo", Terry Gajraj said during an exclusive interview with this writer. Because of it's catchy tune, "I said to myself, why not Guyana Baboo"?

Who is Terry Gajraj/Guyana Baboo? "A skinny little country boy from Guyana."

Guyana Baboo began his singing career as a young child back home in Fyrish, Corentyne, Guyana. In fact, he was constantly surrounded by music. "My grandfather, my dad, my uncle were all into singing," though his first attempt began with Bhajans in the Mandirs. But as that was not enough to bring him to stardom, our Baboo pursued each and every opportunity to make it to the upper echelon of the singing world. His first exposure to professional singing, and a taste of the limelight, as a youth, was with his chacha (uncle) and the Dil Bahar orchestra, which was then under the supervision of Mr. Lakhan Sookray who now resides in New Jersey.

Though he "loves singing Bhajans" because of his family's exposure to that style of music, he secretly has always had a "love for chutney styles" which is also known to Guyanese, and people of the Caribbean, as "local" music. The usage of "creole/patois" language (local tongue) by his idol, Mr. Sundar Popo, left a great impression on his tender mind. "This is something I could relate to," Terry said. "Chutney, Soca, and the local songs I can identify with."

When asked about his comprehension of the Hindi language/words he sometimes uses as part of his lyrics, he said, "I regret not learning Hindi" though his grandfather and father alike gave Hindi lessons on a daily basis back in Guyana. "I want to stay within the Caribbean roots," Terry said when asked about his choice in the style of music he sings. "A little reggae flavor, a little Chutney and Soca because I try to keep it a little Caribbean" he added. "I try to put a little bit of flavor from every place I've performed at into my music."

Regarding his idol, "Sundar can still capture the audience" though his crossover to the new styles "hasn't done as well" Terry said. Quoting Ricky Jai, he said, "everyone of us chutney singers have a little bit of Sundar Popo in us" because he's the person who "started this kind of music" widely performed today. "Everyone has to say thanks to him." He is the "King of Chutney".

So what makes "Guyana Baboo" such a unique individual in the performing world? With an accomplishment of 15 CDs and over 150 songs to his credits, Terry Gajraj is one of Guyana's most recorded artists to date. Apart from being one of the most prominent Indo-Guyanese singers and performer, he not only writes the lyrics to some of his songs but is also a professionally trained musician. An accomplishment "not many other singers/performers can identify with" these days.

Is he a role model for the youths? "I never really saw myself as that," Terry modestly said, but "I know I am. In Canada, my audiences are primarily youths." When it comes to the youths "anything to help children, I would like to do", he said. Reminiscing about his youthful days in the countryside of Guyana, a bright smile covers his youthful face. "It costs nothing to pose for pictures" with the youths that attends his show. "I want to be there for them," and to "make their experiences a pleasurable one".

Discovered in 1990 by Mr. Hermant Singh, with whom he produced "Soca Lambada", Terry's second break came in 1992 from JTS production. The fast track to stardom came "with only a few minor obstacles that comes with success," said this charismatic young man.

From early on, there were oppositions from his father. "My dad was like nooo way school first, music later," Terry said. So when I finished high school, that is when I got involved with the band" - the Dil Bahar. The flip side of this, however, is a positive one - "it instilled a form of discipline in me," said Terry, when asked if he felt pressured at all while striving to reach his dream. "You always want to get a positive out of every negative."

But a recent negative experience however, was "the incident with the Caribbean Heritage Awards ... Many promoters" of many organizations want to "promote Indo-Caribbean artist, but they're not ... they want to use us then throw us in the corner" Terry said. "Here we are willing to do it for free, whereas they have to pay the others, but we still get pushed around," he said. "These are some of the negative things but I don't let them keep me back. It makes me stronger."

One of his most fulfilling experiences, as a performer, is "Watching the audiences enjoying themselves, and sharing the stage with the performers like Sundar Popo, Babla and Kanchan."

His versatility allows him to sing from the traditional Bhajan, in Hindi, to Pop, Chutney, Soca, Reggae, and ballads. Presently, his #1 selling CD 'Sweet Love Songs' has been, ever since its release, a sensational hit on the market.

His charismatic and distinguished singing style won him the honorable title of Ambassador and has taken him to perform annually throughout the Caribbean, USA, England, Suriname and Holland. He has represented Guyana as the only Chutney singer at most of the major Carnivals in the world, such as "Spektakula Tent in Trinidad, Miami, Caribana in Toronto and Nottinghill Carnival in London." Terry has performed with such top names as the Mighty Sparrow in the Soca/Calypso arena, to Babla and Kanchan, one of India's most celebrated duos.

Two years ago Guyana baboo decided to quit his 9 to 5, as a Rating Analyst to dedicate himself full time to his love: music "before I get too old". He did not want to become like many of "my peers who have the talent but not the opportunity" to further their dreams in the singing world.

As a contracted agent, Terry's his own boss since "there's no one within our Caribbean community who can really pay you". Is he looking for an agent? "No I prefer to work independently." To have a contract with "Some one like Sony Music, Columbia Music or RCA, when they say a contract, they mean money" Terry said.

"Yes, you're locked down by these corporate names but you get the prominence." However, negotiations with Mr. Mohan Jaikaran, (an Indo-Caribbean promoter) who has been trying to sign Terry "finally broke down last year over doing Saki Boom on a trial basis" Terry said. Presently "Saki Boom is still the #1 record in Trinidad... Mohan Jaikaran is a business man; that's the bottom line." Having spent his youthful days in the quiet countryside of Guyana, and the past ten years in the USA, Terry has the "charms of a country boy and the city smarts of a New Yorker".

Some of the things this "skinny little countryside boy's" fans should know are in addition to singing and performing; he also wants to promote "our religion, Indo-Caribbean culture and unity. Being born in a Hindu family was the best thing that ever happened to me." Sporting a pair of blue jeans and white tee shirt displaying GUYANA on his chest, Terry said "I love my people and want to sing songs that identify with us, and could give our people a little prominence." Straightening him self out on the couch, Terry said, "We kind of get lost when they say Caribbean... When you say Indian, well the Indians don't really like us," he said. "We're like hanging in the middle there," he pondered out loud.

Presently there's a new "children's album and Bhajan," that will include some of his "grandmother's favorites," as a gesture of "thank you" for their support, and encouragement.

Where does he expect to be in ten years time, "hopefully doing exactly what I am doing right now," Terry said joyfully. "I am doing the things I like to do. I am meeting the people I like to meet, and I'm making people happy" Terry said. "I like to see the smiles on people's face when I sing a Guyana Baboo, and have them sing along." In addition to the two new surprises in store for his fans, he would like his "fans to tell me what they want to hear, both on and off stage" because 'without you there's no me".

Sorry ladies, his heart is already taken by one beautiful, special young darling - no, not his wife, she already has his whole heart - but the center of his heart has been captured and held by this one unique soul, if not the love of his life, Shreeya Madhuri Gajraj".