By Ayomide Tayo
2face’s fifth album Away and Beyond is a five-star display from the Field Marshall of Nigerian music.
At this point we are no longer surprised that 2face can deliver, rather we are in awe of this juggernaut who for over a decade has continued to dictate the direction of contemporary music in Nigeria.
At his concert in Eko Hotel and Suites on Monday April 30, Innocent Idibia declared that his new album is for matured minds. After proving his mettle countless times, 2face takes his music to a higher clime while his contemporaries and the new kids on the block are still stuck in the muddy pits of today’s pop culture.
Away and Beyond is 2face’s most soulful album yet. It doesn’t play to the gallery. The soul in this album ensures it is tight and concise despite being 15 tracks deep.
2face is really a reggae artiste draped in R&B/Pop cloaks so it is no wonder the set starts with Higher (Spiritual Healing) featuring Huma Lara. ‘Now I see…higher than the height of the mountain/deeper than…deeper than the depth of the ocean/further than…further than the eyes can see’, sings 2face on the hook of the song revealing his ever growing musical maturity. The piercing Indian sample on this song shakes your soul and sets you in the mood for the journey ahead.
On his last album he saw rain drops as they fell from the sky. Resigned to fate, 2face doesn’t fight the rain drops on Dance in the Rain. Instead he embraces them as he sings ‘I’m just going to relax and enjoy my life, try to live it, try to appreciate it’.
When the rain is over, he sees the band of colours on My Rainbow. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that this song is dedicated to Annie Macaulay (arguably the most famous fiancée in Nigeria now). Notorious for his ways with women, this track sees 2face leaving his childish ways behind and becoming a man.
Now that 2face has embraced monogamy, there will be distractions from third parties who will want to split the couple. The singer treats this topic on the Drake-esque Bother You featuring the rejuvenated and impressive Terry Tha Rapman.
In Your Eyes which starts with a moody piano intro sees the bad sharp guy singing about deception, crooked politicians, unity and one love.
As an international act, 2face tries his hands on the Euro-pop craze. While Steady Steady gets the job done; Dance Floor hits the spot and once again shows 2face’s versatility. He switches it to dancehall on Spell Bound which should get the clubs rocking.
Away and Beyond has songs for the party freaks too. Keep On Pushing (which still has a clear message) and Ihe Neme (tinged with his Idoma dialect) are certified party cuts. Bad man, Bad Girl featuring Becca has the makings of a sub-regional hit song. Chemical Reaction featuring Naeto C should generate the desired reaction from people on the dance floor.
Unfortunately Omo No Dulling (featuring HyperTek artistes Dammy Krane and Rock Steady) is a case of too many cooks spoil the broth.
However, this small misstep doesn’t rob the LP of its greatness.
On Away and Beyond 2face doesn’t follow the crowd, he creates a new path. Even on the corny titled. Omo T’osan, the Captain steers his ship of female adulation to different waters.
Away and Beyond is devoid of the nauseating theatrics killing pop music in Nigeria.
Matured, calm and layered with emotion, lyrics and well-thought concepts, Away and Beyond is another great album in 2face’s sparkling discography.
Rating- 4/5
Listen to ‘Rainbow’
[audio:http://thenetng.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2FACE-IDIBIA-My-Rainbow.mp3|titles=2FACE IDIBIA – My Rainbow]
79 comments
Undisputed champion!Can’t wait 2 feel d sounds.Keet it up 2baba
He is d don,thumbs up 2baba always settin d pace.
I bought it yesterday and I can rate it 8/10.
A must buy recommendation.
Was wondering why he didn’t sell it N1000 like his last album.
2baba is the greatest tin dat eva happen to 9ja music!classic 4 sure
He did not sell it @1000 coz d international edition is also comin out soon 4 d rest of d world
2baba u r a demi- god in d muzik industry….. Tuwale… Baba!!
u 2 much 2baba
Where can I buy the album
my huse … see question
Kudos to the boss, He done did it!. My living legend 2Face Idibia is the bestest worldwide.
Will forever love you 2Baba! Thanks for always giving us the best of the best! The Lord is your strength boss. Hypertek forever
can’t wait 2 hear d sounds. Na u be numero 1.
2face is a living legend in nigeria music industry. With his uniq style of music combining ragae and pop togeda is jus awesome. Tuface i keepin buying ur album til u stop singing.
d greatest eva in 9ja musical industry. Truly 2baba.
You guys have already whet my appetite, I am practically
salivating/lusting for those songs already. I can’t wait!
Words ain’t enuff 2 express d enigma called 2face Idibia…always setting d pace while others follow…2baba, i ga di.
….saying 2face Is the best in Africa is an understatement!!! Tubaba you are too much!
I am speechless. 2Baba is just too talented. Michael Jackson of our time.
2baba U̶̲̥̅̊ are best keet it up we Ɩ♥ѵӗ U̶̲̥̅̊ .
2baba u r de best. Tnx 4 keepin it clean dis tym unlike dat enter da place stuff. Pls gv us mo dance hall tracks lyk SPELL BOUND. U 2much!!
Rainbow by 2face made me cry, talk more of Higher (spiritual Healing), infact 2baba no be small tin oh!
U are trully incredible.multi talented,i must add.Away and Beyond is massive and mind blowing album of this global musical icon of ours.more grace to ur elbow.
theres a demon in track 4(spell bound), abeg i no go listen again oo make e no go possess me.. Tuface is the best of the best , africa’s no 1
2Baba has done it once again !!! Good lyrics!!!! Meaningful message!!!! GREAT Album!!!!!
When I look at things generally the way they seem to be, I see Tubaba not only as the best musician of our time, but also a poet,freedom fighter, blessing to our generation, my mentor, father, your song has saved my life 3 times and the defination of success to me is what amount of value you have added to people’s life which he has done. We shoul pls rate 2baba amongst likes of Martin Luther King, Affeni Shakur, Tupac Shakur, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela etc. People of great value and influence. Mr Innocent Uja Idibia God Bless You and your family
Nothing more to add, there is no stopping this MAN!
He is second to none.He sings song of life not song of the moment…Bababest
From his days in the plantashun boys, I have been following this great legend and I know he was created by God to bless this country and the world generally with his talents. 2baba, u are too much
Afta Fella, na you. Dis man deserves a National Award. Higher(Spiritual healin), Dance in d rain, Spell bound,Bother you, Steady Steady, Rainbow & Chemical reaction on point. #GREATEST
2baba na the Music Daddy the rest are the children
2good, 2 lyrical, 2 special, 2talented ……2FACE. U are just d best thing dat gives me joy in dis our country Naija. I’m proud 2 b of same nation wit u. Ur music is d best. AWAY N BEYOND is one of ur best albums so far. Keep it up.
Wat more can i say abt dis hypertek nigga.He’s always on point.Rated 10/10
2face has done well for himself
Idibia may god bless u 4 entertaining us with ur beautiful songs & 4 takin Africa 2 de higher level.
Its just as if he reads our minds b4 he writes his songs. So touchin, so nice
Omoto san my best track
2face idibia,2baba,hypertek nigga,KING 2FACE,U’re d best of d best…..i wish 2 b an artiste under ur label so dat i can gain lecture 4rm u…..MUSIC EMPROR
KING 2FACE,u’re jst d sunlight of d Africa
2face happens to be my favourite african artiste but honestly, this album just didnt do it for . . . its kinda disapp . . . no, let me hit the replay button. maybe il grow on me
Tuface’s efforts on this album cannot be legal. He has robbed us of any choice but to respect him and adore his unique gift. He has blackmailed posterity into acclaiming this as the album when he became the signature artist of an entire generation. He has murdered whatever hope any of his peers had of ever matching his accomplishments and finally he has kidnapped the hearts of all who will hear this worldwide. And to think the international edition of this album is still to follow. Somebody arrest Tuface Idibia!
2baba even if u don’t sing u just clap I would buy according to u who say this album no b the best for the year make he go hug plenty transformer my guy freedom is life food no they tey for belle spoil
So nobody can critize d album?…Nigerians are so shallow mentally!!!…some hooks were nt melodious with d chords this nigga sang!!!!…he’s no god…he is as good as upcomin sounds we here everyday!!!
na u get ur mouth joor…..odd man out!
d best for matured minded ones just like 2baba himself said
The defining point of mastery is when you can make the sublime look ordinary with the ease with which you do it. Tubaba is a master of his craft and one individual who wise men within and without Nigeria all deeply respect. Critics are free to say whatever they want, it’s a free world afterall and in fairness tuface did give prior warning that this album was for mature minds. No doubt, the young man is only one more album away from full global acceptance as i predicted when he released his second solo album grass to grace. Like Bob Marley who i see as his best spiritual cast, Tuface will grow on the world’s mind till he comes to dominate. All hail the King.
2baba ŊO̶̷̩̥̊͡body Ȋ̝̊̅§ like U̶̲̥̅Ʊ and wld be like U̶̲̥̅Ʊ cos U̶̲̥̅Ʊ A̶̲̥̅Rε̲̣̣̣̥ Gos own and dat humility of urs Ȋ̝̊̅§ taking U̶̲̥̅Ʊ dere 2BABA U̶̲̥̅Ʊ τ̅☺ much
2face’ CD is the only CD I buy in Nig.In this album,I ‘ll score him 80%. Cos a few songs are not really melodious.But he is a legend!
All these kids should learn and make more sense wit their songz, tired of all these sisi nene their forcing us to listen to.
you are indispensible bro,keep it up you are a HEROE
Am from Ghana n love 2baba n his musi hopping 2 b lik u$ in futûre am happy u hve now seen de rainbow. Hapy maried life 2baba
Frm d 1st to d fifth album has made it clear 2face is d best in Africa.he sang evergreen songs nt album dat u wil l8a spilt on it or trash it.. 1 of my frnd took d gras 2 grace album,i cnt stop listnd to d album I bought it again.nbdy dey folo me wen 2face singin
2 Baba…The Greatest!!!!” If you use your head well well….you go chop well well’….Tubaba
I so much luv dis guy!do u knw hm…he’s d baba of Niaja musik…u shld knw who am talkin abt nw…he’s simply…in 1 sentence INNOCENT IDIBIA(2face)
..food no dey for belle spoil… chai! tubaba u too gbaski! u too gallant!
so tight…tubaba,a living legend..cant wait to listen to d tracks
2baba innocent is jst 1daful mehn u always d best!! Carry go!
2baba my mentor
Mere words cant explain what ur songs do 2 me…dance in d rain deserves a grammy…2baba GOD bless u.
My guy my guy, do hit mkt again 2face idibia u 2much 4 d game, FREEDOM IS LIFE TUWALE, I greet master spiritual 4 u tuwale 4 does who suport……………..@……………2FACE
Ihe neme is igbo not idoma
I wanna say kudos 2 d young star “2baba”. Carry waker, u too much eh
I wanna say kudos 2 d young star “2baba”. Carry waker, u too much eh. I love u.
baba abeg sing with foriegn artist plsssss……you are just more than any other artist i can think off.i want you to meet the likes of jazy let him feel u .guy u are 1in africa no doubt.
Them never see anything dem never know wetin one jam
them one scatter dem,no be small tin to be given all the
people what dey wanting cause i know you know this one
na life show for sure e no eni mimy mo!
TWALE! BABA where d,banj dey when you dey learn
the basics sef?
2baba has been ma nu 2 artist in da world after rkelly..i must confess dat dis album..oh ma god! I can imagine wat am thinking any time am playing spiritual healing,,dance in d rain,,omotosan..my god,,akon no near u nao..make e come chalange 4 africa..i love 2baba..i will just pick out spiritua healing nd dance in d rain..to chalange any muzik in dis world..matured minded music
U re d best….
2face u really a living legend, ‘dancing in d rain’ restore my hope and make me believe in myself dat ‘yes’ I CAN DO IT
Tuface, to me, u are d best of d best in the wrld cos as 4 me nd my people we will hail u forever as d best ever n pls kep d fire burning tubaba cos we love u
tubaba is just trailing the blaze, he is a pace setter who dictating the pace. a gallant achiever who is worth his salt and who keeps other heads rolling.
I bought d album, i heard it & i feel it.
My mentor u re d don
2baba u ar d king,tankz 4 takin african music to d world, u open d door 4 orders i love wat u ar doing,keep it on,one love God is by ur side.
Tu baba right from time i know your destination is getting to the top, spiritualy i’ve seen it. Keep your head up and never be taken for grounded for creativity rules the world. Tanx, its ur boy “Top-T”
2baba of Africa, yoú are indeed d best .
Love u 4eva
Wat can i say to some1 dat as being sent 4rm above to deliver,nd he’s deliverin;juxt kip!!! On movin,pushin on top.
TUWALE! Ihe n’eme is d boom….sumtin wanto hapen bt dis sumtin i can not tell u!
Ʊ will always Bε̲̣̣̣̥ our mirror,2face ur too much joor.cudos to Ʊ xpecially IHE NA EME
Deep down inside i see sumtin in ur eyes some of them truth some of dem lie 2baba the invisible one i swear u are d best in the world best in african no doubt pls i want u to sing wit my r&b mentor chris brown.
When i listen to 2face idebia songs,i feel inspired with great words to say to people close to,the words in 2face songs are word braker,to me 2face is the best in the world