By Osagie Alonge
He’s already walking on the path of greatness with multiple awards, international recognition, and a vast catalog with numerous hits. Over the years, Innocent ‘2face’ Idibia has become a yard stick for measuring success among entertainers.
The Hypertek boss spoke with NET in an exclusive interview as he took time off to rest after a series of rehearsals for his April 30th concert. He opens up about his family, his childhood, his timeless music and why he hasn’t picked a wedding date with fiancée Annie Macaulay
How are preparations for your concert coming along?
So far everything has been running smoothly and I’m looking forward to a good show
It’s been 2 years you dropped your last album, how come you’ve been laying low musically?
The anticipation level for your new album is high, do you feel nervous about it?
I feel very tense, you know, because the expectation from the fans and people is high and you know I have to deliver. I know I have a couple of good songs on the album, so I’m just waiting for the fans to decide. It’s a like football match in my mind and the fans are the referee (Laughs).
When you were a little boy, did you think you’d become a musician?
Yeah. I think Jos has always been a peaceful place, and it’s the coldest part of Nigeria, so people like to go there and relax because of the weather. Also, many people from the old school days that were ‘somebody’ lived in Jos, and when you have a generation of people that think great, two [or] three generations from there will think alike; that’s why you see a lot of talent coming from Jos.
A lot of people don’t know much about your family, could you break it down for us?
We are a family of six; my parents and we four boys, no girls o (Laughs)
Yeah, they were music lovers, and we used to listen to a lot of music. The one genre that caught my attention was reggae and the one musician that really caught me was Bob Marley. Bob Marley was very inspiring, because of him I started feeling Jimmy Cliff and then the Jackson 5. In the Nigerian scene it was Fela, Sony Okosun, Bongos Ikwue, Christy Essien-Igbokwe and Oriental Brothers.
How often do you see your parents these days?
As often as time permits, sometimes it could be a month; other times, three day intervals. Really, it’s as often as time permits me.
When I was 9 or 10
A lot of musicians say they started singing in church. Did u start in the choir?
It was J town to Benue, back to J Town, then to Kano where I met Eedris, to J town again, then back to Benue, to Enugu, then finally Lagos.
When you finally got to Lagos, how did you manage the transition and what was your game plan?
When I was coming to Lagos, I believed the city was the headquarters of entertainment in Nigeria. All I had in mind was to come to Lagos, prove my skills and see. Blackface and I made the move together in ’96 and we believed in our minds that we would get someone to listen to us; we never thought it’d be a smooth ride. Back then, there were no record labels, so it wasn’t easy, and we had to do some underground work moving from point A to point B.
The first time I saw you and the Plantashun Boiz was on Cally Ikpe’s New Live Beats back in 1997 and you stood out. You seem to be a lot of peoples’ favourite, what has been your charm?
My charm? I’d say first of all it’s the gift that God gave me and that was birthed with me. I think I try to make my music appeal to anybody, be you Japanese, German, Hausa or Yoruba. The rest is the grace of God.
What was your experience like when you left the group?
From the day I decided to do my solo stuff I always thought we’d continue with the group stuff, and that was my proposal, but somehow it didn’t end up like that. Everybody ended up doing their solo stuff too. It was scary, but that was what I wanted in my mind, soul and my body, and I didn’t want to hold myself back. I spoke to a lot of labels, but went for Kennis Music because they gave me the platform and our romance was lovely for both of us. It was a 3 year contract so after the second album, I had to move on. Again it was scary, but I just had to move on.
How does it feel to be the one spearheading the new generation of artistes having international recognition with awards and deals?
It was a wonderful feeling at that point in time when I won the MTV Award. We knew we were moving in the right direction when they started calling me to book me for shows, not just from Africa, but from other countries, just to represent Africa. Right now, it’s the trend, the door is open to all. And we also advise those stepping into the international spotlight for the first time to make the right moves.
Let’s get more personal. Apart from the music, who is 2face?
A shy person that is playfully serious and seriously playful; you should know what that means. I’m just trying to say I’m a jovial person. If u ‘no give me trouble I no go give you trouble’.
I go give them trouble…
A lot of people who have met you say the same thing; ‘2face is very humble’. How have you been able to keep the wall down and relate with your fans?
(Sigh) I hear that a lot, that is the way I have always been and that’s the way I will be till I die.
My brother, to be honest with you, I can’t count. But really, I need to sit down and count this thing one of these days. Honestly I need to. Thank God say u talk am now I got to count am. Ukraine Russia, Australia….(laughs)
You know Valentine is the season of love and everything. It was a basic heart decision and I followed my heart, that is all I have to say.
Have you set a wedding date?
No we don’t, but I will let u know
So you’ll be getting married this year?
We don’t know, until we choose a date, which will determine what year it falls under
This album is about maturity; it’s more for the mature people, but I still have lots for the younger generation.
Speaking of the younger generation, have you ever felt threatened by the likes of Wizkid or Davido?
No no no, I look at them like my younger brothers. There’s no competition. I even love their energy, but we are at different levels. If they were the people I started with, I’d understand.
Talking about those you started with, you have been able to make a transition from one generation to the other, but not only a few of your peers are still here. Why do you think that is?
I think it’s the music. Every time I release an album, the music is still fresh, it’s still relevant. Permit me to brag a little; I think I keep in touch with time, that’s why I say I’m young at heart.
If you had the opportunity to meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
I’ll choose one dead person and another who’s still living. One person I would like to meet that has passed away would be Bob Marley. The other would have to be Sade Adu. I just love her person, she is deep, spiritual and she is beautiful. I have had a crush on her since (Laughs)
What comes to your mind when you put pen to paper during the songwriting process?
For me it comes in different forms; sometimes I’m at home and it might come to me in a poetic form, like someone is talking to me. I just keep writing down. At times I might just see a topic on TV, it triggers my mind and I might just write two or three pages. it might not join line by line but all the things are in line with the topic. And sometimes, it starts with the beat and I start freestyling from the beginning to the end of the song. Then I replay it and arrange the record so maybe all I have to do would be to just harmonize some parts of the verses, like I did with ‘Only me’.
Nah (laughs). It’s just some people who know how to spread rumours, I need to meet the person that started the rumour because it really travelled
If any of your kids wanted to be a musician what would u do?
I would definitely encourage them, because I’ve definitely been there and I’d be able to put them through.
49 comments
I’m nt happy that u ask 2baba if he’s been threatend by davido nd wizkid,dats nt rite @all,dey r too small to b compare with music lecturer…2baba is nt just a person bt musical angel,wil b his fan til I die…hypertek baby say so, I rep maniacs…
Tu Baba really has no competition…he’s a living legend I ve to say.
More power to ur elbow Idibia.
I luv 2baba.pls help me tel him dat he s d best.nd pls cn u give me his numba?@johnetefia65@yahoo.com
2baba is more lyk a musical god. He deos his tin acordn to his will n wish. No competition 4rm any angl. And i lov becus he z GOD fearing. Bro mre greece to ur elbow. I ll be ur fan 4 eva. Tuale!
2baba is the greatest tin to eva happen to 9ja music industry!an icon u too much jor
whizkid/davido?tubaba?in same sentence?how????…..pls pls jor dats insultin
2baba is gat no threat, @ all.. He is the only of his type..
Yes you should know Tuface is on his own a god of music …. If u can permit me to say; tuface should be compared to d like of fela,bob marley,rkelly, sunny okosun and other.. So far he is d youngest of dis lineage but that is where he belongs .. Tubaba for life
2baba you too much. i greet u.
2baba u 2 much…AWAY & BEYOND..We cant wait
Pls u don’t have 2 compared dem,2face just finished all d work
Why would u ask such a question? U can’t even compare him with bragged dbanj that is disturbing people. In Africa is TUFACE,DON JAZZY,PSQUARE,BANKT W and FAZE
2face rocks till infinity! You know why? Cos humility is infectious! God lifts & sustains people like him! He once saved a cop who was shot by robbers by asking his driver to stop in the middle of the night so they could take him to hospital. They eventually did and the policeman survived! May God bless you & your family 2face. For assisting a stranger in need, God will always meet you at your own point of need. I’m proud of you bro! You r-o-c-k!
2Baba no 1 b lik u,Baba of all Africa Act….. U tu much jor
Tubaba you are the only mentor I have, the living legend, I will be ur fan foreva, you are the landlord of music, I guess Annie will be a good wife to you
This is embarrassing comparing 2face with Wizkid or Davido so insulting….you can’t even compare D’banj… 2face is the Lord of music in Africa..he opened the way
I just kept loving 2face everyday!!! Buh you shouldn’t had ask him kind of question. Hw can he feel threaten by dos rats.
Men 2baba is a gift from God to Naija hip hop world even in the whole of Africa, people like us who wants to be like him are looking up to him i’m proude to call him my MENTOR, i bring him exclusive greetings from The Xclusive Hitz Entertainment. we love him so much, he’s the best, the BOMB
Baba tor bad, in angles…Baba dat made d jungle 2mature n stil reported 2his kids 2come n feed dat d jungle don finally mature. Dats am done paving d way, u guys shld come n flex it. Baba u 2much. Ur no 1 fan Baba…u 5much. Ur question was insultive but u saw hw Baba took it coz he aint lik doz illuminati freaked dude. Gud advice 4m baba 2d pple dat jst broke in2 d int. Scene wey d thng dey bugaa dem…watch hw u leap. Am sure D’banj shld hear dat coz Kenya he lost a brother in a frend..Okoro. Baba u re 2much jor..and ofcuz u can evn get bak online even if u logged off. U knw why? Coz we re alwaas here 4u. See ya on twiter Baba!! Ur faniameniac Baba!!
2baba remains an icon and a music legend in naija and Africa, so comparing him to young boys is way too childish I am considering it a slip of d tongue. More grease to your elbow 2face, notin dey hapin!
2baba is nt compare with dose dude cos dat is unimaginable,to compare alegend to a risen star.remember he open d way for dem and show dem all d pathway to stardom.he’s a god 2 be rememba.remain ur fan till d dust cova me.one love
2face na baba 4 nija music industry
2face is ,Naija Music Lord,i greet u all,pls dat comperism of Wizkid &Davido wit 2baba should stop,u dont compair father an son 4 age.no it’s nt don.so far as am concern ,he can not b compared wit any Nigeria musicians.i don’t mean 2 b insultiv bt dats d truth.(NYITMAN)
2BABA I WILL PROSTRATE WITH MY HEAD DOWN AND MY LEGS UP ANY DAY I SEE YOU SIR CAUSE THEY CALL US TWINS. RESPECT FROM SILEKUN ENTERTAINMENT.
men i jst d fall in luv wit dis dude 2baba hop 2 mak it lik u 1 day.2baba 2much jor
I believe whichever reporter that made this interview deserves to be sacked or better still banned from interviewing any top celebrity again…..though it was a simple question, it bore the weight of a sin, i feel really bad about that question, nobody, i repeat, nobody in Nigerian music industry deserves to be compared to 2face…..for christ’s sake,the guy is th most succesful pop musician in africa…..Xclusive, pls drill that reporter dat did this, he/she has given dis site a bad image as far as 2baba is concernd….and try apologising 2 him, it wasnt fair!
2baba is d baba of al artist in nigeria music industry so dnt compare him with any arist….thumbs up baba u na too much..one luv!!!
Ayeni, you suppose place Osagie Alonge on suspension.
That question na sackable offence.
great 2baba………..infact am speechless
This is ridiculous.ow can u compare tuface with those small pikin,if it is a joke u better stop it and that that person needs to apologize.too ridiculous.wizkid davido orishirisi
It is the mother of all insult. Who is Davido?????????? Alonge pls tell me who Wizkid is??????, when next you have an interview opportunity with the Legend, learn to compose ur question well!
Gosh! Is too insultn askn Baba dt kwestn…wizkd/davido 2 Baba! O bad gan. Anywy, kip on rockn, we dey ur bak.
Move on, keep on God de ur back.
Camparing Tu Baba with those kid is irrational n stupid. Love Tu baba pass my girl friend
“INTERVIEWER: You must have been really high to ask and even think, in fact to even V d effrontery of asking 2baba if he is threatened by Lil dwarf urchins called Wizkid and Davido… it’s an insult and slap, don’t ever try that trash again. If you don’t have better questions, then don’t ask at all…Kapish?
2baba different 4rm those shit called wizkid n davido even dbanj can nt b compared wit 2baba haahaa so insulting
Abeg,all of them are great in their own ways.Tuface only started first and i wld respect him for that till eternity.However,one or two who have insulted D’banj here shld pls just hold it.D’banj is Africa’s best and biggest Entertainer/Musician whilst Tuface is Africa’s best and biggest Singer….God bless them both and the others coming behind!
@saybalo,the person interviewing was only pulling Tuface’s legs.Tuface and D’banj are the koko and the greatest in Naija music……And P-Square too o!
More power to their elbows.
Baba you get mouth ooo! 2baba 2 much, to say the fact
he’s the one that open the way for nigeria artist, is africa music lord.
Any were i hered of th name 2baba i always fell too excitetedt
No 2face, no music. Abeg Dbanj should go and rest for those of u mentioning him here. Its 2face all the way.
Ochidoma 1..I rep u till the day of christ coming
God nos dat guy is d best tn 2 ve hapened 2 music in naija n africa at large. Surely is blessin is God given. Ds guy practicaly point d way to sucess in his song *i no dat u want 2 impress ur baby n all of ur family dr is no film trick involve insid … na tuface talk am* ur tru fan even in d days of trouble.
Super,u’re great kip it rollin.
Comparing 2face wth the likes of wizkid n Davido? Am srry i wld say wrong question @ d right time. I’ll advise dat as a journalist u shld be thought n cogent wen next u choose 2 ask such insultive n unproffessional question..yea. He’s d best thing 2 hv happened 2 music in Africa. Dis nt bragging go online n check 4 urself bro. Anyway no hard feelings
Guy, wen nxt u wanna compose ur qston, u hv to tink professtional b4 u ‘ll sue urself into life imprisonment. Africa jst have three music lords. These are the guys who hv matches international standard= 3rd tuface 2nd akon 1st psqure which is above all, the icon of all time, the sensational r&b hiphop stars with the dancing stly of michuel jackson and usher raymond, they hv a good record of stage performance, having a record of best video, win the highest fans nig, rsa and still recognise internationaly, that give them chance to feature big one likes of akon rick rose, to measure a few.
Hmmm,very funny tuface i̶̲̥̅̊s̶̲̥̅̊ a musician that stands out S̶̲̥̅Ơ̴̴̴̴̴̴͡ he shouldn’t J̶̲̥̅̊u̶̲̥̅̊ƨ̣̣̣̇̇̇̇τ̣̣̥ be compared….wizzy davido all tyt too but 2baba i̶̲̥̅̊s̶̲̥̅̊ a guy D̶̲̥̅̊є̲̣̥γ̲̣̣̥ should try T̶̲̥̅̊O̶̲̥̅̊ emulate…tuface i̶̲̥̅̊s̶̲̥̅̊ simply D̶̲̥̅̊ best,no tuface no naija,no naija no africa….gbam!
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