The first time we encountered Terrell Carter was in Madea's Class Reunion. Six foot five, pumped to perfection, wife beater and jeans, do-rag and the voice of an angel. On his knees singing a version of What If that was sooo strong ... we wondered (a) where did he train? and (b) what was it like to have a love that strong? and (c) how many groupies would we have to fight? (Hey, kind of gave up on that last one, but you can't fault a man for trying, right?) Growing up, Terrell's sound used to be called "beggin' music"—the songs that Teddy P, Al Green and Peabro Bryson made famous. There was no gimmick—they just sang.
Lately the Detroit-born singer has been doing his thing. You may have seen him in the film version of Diary of a Mad Black Woman or on the Meet the Browns tour. (Yes, believe it or not, certain dance music and neo-soul types do enjoy that those plays.) Recently he also dropped his second CD, Carlela's Reign. which we've been listening to all weekend. Just like the singer, it's fabulous. But don't take our word for it. There are plenty of samples on Terrell's website—including performances from Madea and the Browns—and CdBaby for you to judge.
Photos by Kawai Matthews
More Terrell below.
What's there not to like about the 16-track album? Terrell's music is part K-Ci and JoJo, part Teddy, a little Jaheim and peppered with lots of gospel. In multi-layered slower tracks like Better Than his voice is steady and the lyrics are awesome. That trademark sound comes through as he is an earnest church boy promising to treat his girl better than his father and uncles. I grew up in a family where the men were no good ... my daddy was a rolling stone .. he always made sure that we never had a home.
Our tastes are almost perfectly fulfilled by the uptempo tracks like Life and I Had it Hard. Both have that late 80s/early 90s Uptown Records-Christopher Williams feel over a Brand Nubian or Tribe Called Quest beat. Life is probably in the heaviest rotation over here; it's an uptempo ballad, which is the best of both worlds.
The acoustic duet with Indie.Arie may get Terrell that airplay that he needs. My Life is not the best song on the album, but any collaboration with a hot artist is entree material. Her voice is at it's usual here: melodic, controlled and comforting. Interestingly, his is much the same ... and that reserve makes me want more. Hey, but we can never get enough Terrell.
Photos by Kawai Matthews
The brotha can sang. No doubt about it. His voice is deep, husky and moody: but never outdated or old-fashioned. He kind of puts you to mind of a baritone version of Luther. And I'm glad to know that we still have real soul singers out there, even though they are few in comparison to other music genres. I wish nothnig but the best for the Madea' co-star. Thanx Rod for posting this one.
I see I'm the first to respond. WOW!
Posted by: Dante' | 20 June 2005 at 03:11
I was awe struck when I first saw terrance in the Medea plays and wanted to know more about him. HE IS TRULY TALENTED, SEXY, and I would like to see more of that hot body. Thank you for bringing more info on that Brotha and the pics are hot too.
Posted by: Nebraska Great Guy | 20 June 2005 at 03:34
my bad...I apologize. his name is Terrell not terrance.... that shirtless picture got to me.
Posted by: Nebraska Great Guy | 20 June 2005 at 03:37
Terrell IS phyne! Leave it to Rod to always bring the finest to our attention.
I haven't yet seen Diary of a Mad Black Woman, (or any recent movie) but everyone says it is a "must see".
Thanks for the pics and bio on Terrell, Rod.
Posted by: Jimmy | 20 June 2005 at 05:12
Terrell is so damn fine!!
Posted by: shawty | 20 June 2005 at 08:35
WHAT?!?!? I am outraged! I am appalled! You mean Terrell doesn't qualify to be classified as iCandy?!? LOL!!!
Seriously, the brotha is phyne ... i gotta get some of those Tyler Perry projects on DVD.
Posted by: malik | 20 June 2005 at 08:56
I met him backstage after the Madea show and he is really really drop drawer gorgeous in person.His smile is as mesmorizing as his voice,and his body is moving art and his humility is like the icing on a well defined cake.Whew he brings out the Maya Angelou in a sista..lol.
Posted by: Holiday N | 20 June 2005 at 09:26
ooh good work, rod! :) what's the name of his cd, again? lol!
but great articles today, sir!
Posted by: Ryan | 20 June 2005 at 12:17
DAYUM!! Man i remember him from class reunion and i knew he was my man from the beginning. Looking at him now... man i bet he is "big" as hell.
Posted by: James | 20 June 2005 at 12:40
whoa...... *speechless*
Posted by: gillygan | 20 June 2005 at 22:00
I think Terrell is beautiful. Just proof again how Beautiful Black men are.
Peace
Posted by: Labelle | 21 June 2005 at 08:17
oh lawd... that boy is fine fine fine.. i really think i should leave it at that but it's clear that he is... where do you find these boys i swear!
Posted by: Nathan "Seven" Scott | 22 June 2005 at 11:29
He also played in the play version of the "Diary Of A Mad Black Woman!" He is drop dead super phyne! In one of those plays, I think that he takes off his shirt...whoa!!!!!
Posted by: Jay | 02 July 2005 at 10:32
HEY JUST WANNA SAY THAT THE BRO IS THE BOMB,,,, GLAD TO SEE THAT HE GOT HIS BIG BREAK IN LIFE....THE BRO IS PHYNE AZZ EVER.....
Posted by: RUSSELL FOSTER | 10 July 2005 at 10:39
Terrell is my kind of guy. Tyler Perry probably had a good ole time casting him in the role in "Madea's..." Go Tyler!
Posted by: Don_Kwon | 16 July 2005 at 03:02
Terrell is just awesme and we wish we can have him to perform at our 14th Annual Inner City Destiny Awards in Los Angeles in Feb 06,Well Terrell its all good keep up the good work.We the Youth Choir of L.A. Inner City Mass Choir Love you Bro.Keep up the good work and contact us please.
Posted by: The L.A.Inner City Mass Choir | 21 July 2005 at 01:51
Boring!!!
Posted by: Jemell Stewart | 21 July 2005 at 10:40
Oh My God. I am for sure Terrell Carter's num.1 fan. Nobody loves him as much as I do. It's not just his looks he as a voice that is out of this world. I watch Madea's Class reunion and Meet The Browns just to see him.
Posted by: Kandyce Bryant | 24 October 2005 at 16:03
Terrell I am your biggest fan and I just love to watch you in Meet the Browns and The Diary of a Mad Black Women. Keep up the good work and God Bless you.
Posted by: Toya Jackson | 01 November 2005 at 15:42
How are you ? Fine I hope I am madly in love with you and your work. I think that you are awesome.you are an excellent singer and actor. I am going to be an actress one day and maybe I will have the chance to meet you .I am currently in california and would love to meet you you can reach me at nkkilovesshawn@aol.com I will be looking forward to hearing from you you can also find me 800-479-7328 I watch your play meet the browns every morning may god continue to bless you and have a good day!
Yours Truly, Shanekia
Posted by: Shanekia Ross Jackson | 04 November 2005 at 14:47
you r so fine i love the way u sing i can have u sing to me anytime i watch meet the brown just to hear u sing i love u
Posted by: erica thompson | 09 January 2006 at 17:57
Very sexy; one of the many sexy black men out there.
Posted by: Dexter | 20 January 2006 at 20:51
terrell is alsome wish he could sing in toledo oh
Posted by: chuck | 22 January 2006 at 21:18
hey i think terrell carter is so fine and can sang the first time i saw him was on meet the browns and from that day forward i been lovin him like crazy i love his song big girls because i am a big beautiful gurl terell i love u so much and always will i can not wait till u come out with more music or the actin business i got all your music love ya
mekie
Posted by: mekie | 28 January 2006 at 11:38
Terrell Carter is sooooooooooooooo fine it should be a sin. He and
Tyler Perry are great together! I also love his contract that states he has to take of his shirt and have on baby oil.!!!!!!!! If he was to be in anything else, that would be sooooooooooooooo great and my momma and i would love it!!!!!!
Posted by: Brea' | 20 February 2006 at 14:49