Terry Lewis: Omaha’s Multi-Grammy Music Legend
Legacy Maker | Legendary Music Producer
Born in Omaha on November 24, 1956, Terry Lewis helped shape the sound of modern R&B and pop music for more than four decades. As one half of the legendary songwriting and production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, he has influenced generations of artists and defined eras of American music.
Lewis relocated from Omaha to Minneapolis in his youth, where his partnership with Jimmy Jam took root. Together, they formed Flyte Tyme Productions, building a catalog that would become one of the most successful in chart history. Their production and songwriting credits include work with Janet Jackson, Gladys Knight, Thelma Houston, Klymaxx, Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Ledisi.
Their collaboration with Janet Jackson proved transformational. Beginning with Control (1986) and continuing through Rhythm Nation 1814, janet., and The Velvet Rope, Jam and Lewis helped redefine contemporary R&B by blending funk, pop, social commentary, and polished production. The partnership produced multiple No. 1 hits and reshaped the sound of late-20th-century mainstream music.
Over their career, Jam and Lewis have achieved a historic commercial milestone:
16 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits
26 Billboard R&B No. 1 songs
41 Top 10 hits in the United States alone
They hold the distinction of having more Billboard No. 1 songs than any other songwriting and production team in chart history, a rare achievement that cements their status among the most successful creative partnerships in modern music.
Lewis has won five Grammy Awards, including honors tied to Janet Jackson’s All for You, Yolanda Adams’ “Be Blessed,” and Chaka Khan & Mary J. Blige’s “Disrespectful.” In 2022, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing their enduring influence on popular music.
Though much of his career has been associated with Minneapolis’ vibrant music scene, Lewis’ roots trace back to Omaha. His early years in Nebraska remain part of the foundation of his story, a reminder that global impact can begin in Midwestern neighborhoods.
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