#2faceAt40: One song that has defined 2face’s life so far #LyricalFriday

By Oyindamola Bamgbola

Nfana Ibaga.

It means ‘no problem’.

2Face Idibia has been described as a man who keeps humility and respect as his watchwords. The lyrics of his 2004 Nfana Ibaga describe what has gotten him this far:

Yeah
I’m coming out straight this time
I’m coming out with a little piece of my own kind of piece of mind
I’m doing it my way this time
Like I’m not gonna bore you with some flimsy kind of piece of rhymes 
So pull a cushion, sit back relax and listen
To this introduction of me, myself and my mission
My vision is to let you all see
That there’s more to this life than just faking up reality
Yeah, reality
I wake up in the morning and I stretch up my feet
Say a thank you prayer then I brush up my teeth
A little exercise then I grab something to eat
Put on a piece of clothing and then step out into the street
Then into the studio just to hook up some beat
Later to the club to make the people feel the heat
Make an honest living and I’m proud about it
Making sure that all my mistakes I don’t repeat
Like I mind my own business and I don’t give a shit
I say what’s on my mind I don’t have time to edit
Got to thank the Lord that He’s helped me pon the feet
Oh praise the Lord He give me power to defeat
If you give me stone instead they got to give me meat
I try to pan it and I try to forget it
Everybody know that me too legit to quit
Everybody know that me physically fit
Everybody know that me humble and cool
But some people them take me for a fool
Nfana Ibaga o
Never give another man yawa o
So the reason why I say Nfana Ibaga o
Is that I got my conscience by my side
Got peace of mind inside
Nfana Ibaga o 
No matter what I do I’m going to make my dough
So the reason why I say Nfana Ibaga
Is who God has blessed, no man can curse
No man can curse
No man can curse
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
I got to be stronger got to be ready for the strife
I know some people will say somethings that will cut like a knife
I know some people will say that I might never find a wife
But I’ll do my thing my way oh my brother no be fight
Sometimes I might be wrong sometimes I might be right
But I’ll keep my head straight
And I’ll keep my game tight
‘Cause wetin I dey see na a future wey dey bright
Got to have it all, not just a bite
Got to have it all, not by power, not by might
But cause’ Kennis Music got my back day and night 
And the Almighty Lord He never let me leave His sight
But upon on top of that I still will do my people plight
So I promise I go use my music to dey shine the light
I no go com form like say I no dey shit 
I go bear my mind, I go bear am black and white
Just because I say I no finish school
Some people them they take me for a fool
….

Happy 40th Birthday 2Face.

You’ve taught us that humility and consistency pays.

We look forward to your biography.

This post first appeared on Idafrica.ng