By Victoria Ige
It’s taken having five kids from three women for 2face Idibia to show us he’s not exactly as innocent as his name or looks might suggest. But it’s also taken surviving one of the most turbulent careers of this time, for Mr Idibia to show us he’s not just a gifted act who’s found favour with the gods of music; but also a cat with more than nine lives.
Idibia who clocks 35 this September, has survived repeated armed robbery attacks (at least five major ones at the last count, including one, in 2007, when he was shot in his thigh), sustained media bashing following the celebrated multiple pregnancies by his baby-mamas Pero, Annie and Sunmbo, several damaging reports by a segment of the media, questioning the authenticity of his collabos with R.Kelly, and Mary J. Blige, dismal performance of his last album The Unstoppable, and a fall in rating, causing the likes of Psquare and D’Banj to briefly overtake him.
But Idibia is not a quitter. While colleagues with lesser woes have fallen by the road side and given up completely, the singer is not just trudging on; he is fully back on his feet, dusting his pants, and grabbing his mic as he gallops ahead, ears blocked to what naysayers might be broadcasting.
The former Kennis music act seems to be saying: ‘yes I slept with all them women; yes I didn’t use condoms and I seem to have let you all down. Yes you’re not feeling my last album and you’re not even happy I’m switching my music style without getting your permission… but, can we please move on? After all, I’m taking care of the kids; they’re in good schools… I’m not denying them or their mothers and none of my baby mamas is underage… Can you guys please give me another chance and let me feed you with some real good music?’
Then he screamed, ‘In short Okoli, pass me the Poli’.
And he entered the studio; and he brought forth music; real good music. He brought forth ‘Implication’ and ‘Only me’ and few other cuts you’ll soon begin to discover. He brought back the brilliance and beauty in his music. He brought 2face Idibia back to life… All of a sudden, Mr Idibia is making hits again; topping the charts again and getting unreserved love from everyone from Kaura na Moda to Imale’n F’Alafia and Victoria Garden City.
Thanks to his team at Now Muzik and Hypertek, and to Idibia himself, one of our favourite pop stars is now rebuilding one of the most successful and one of the most troubled careers of the past two decades.
As he unveils his first international album later this month, it’ll be a good time to see how far he has gone with the reconstruction; and if, truly, fans are now ready to face him and his music alone, without allowing all the private drama prevent them from giving the man a hug. It’ll be a good time to know whether the success his last single ‘Implication’ has enjoyed is just a fluke; or whether Idibia has fully found favour with fans again.
It’s over 12 years since 2face debuted with the Plantashun Boiz; over six years since his own Solo debut. But on May 21, when he releases ‘The Unstoppable (int’l edition), it’ll look like ‘the bad sharp guy’ is debuting again…
Idibia’s new 13-tracker ‘The Unstoppable (Int’l Edition) is available from May 21
47 comments
Tu face is a fun naija artist
thank god is back……………i love that music IMPLICATION
2 baba you too basky, 2 na me be your number 1 fan
2baba! No shaking, Notin dey appen!
Who b dbanj or p-square?They cant b compared 2 tu-face!Afta him comes them.rili cant wait 4 d album plus d collabo wit MJB.
Despite d f up, he stil stud 2tak up, afta wat enemies did 2bring im down, he stil stud back 2tak his crown, he is d best amng d rest. 2baba is 2much.
Those haters wont stop talking bullshit about this dude,he is the best nigeria has ever produced,no nigerian artist fit into his shoes.His lyrics are out of this world not the usual swagger,koko,champaighn,hennessy,moet….tu baba you remain the best and i will always fight anyone who compares that lucky untalented dbanj to….I LOVE YOU MORE THAN I LOVE MY ELDER BROTHER
2face ride on, dis is ur time to shine, i promise 2 stand b4 u.
2,afta squeezin tru d screw,nw back wit d bang of a bull,got his swag on & hittin rite bck at y'all.feel d msg hoodie,kip it strong men
Oo 2baba i thank god for you love back,i love your talent,i think you such conti… In it.nothin thay appen! 2face you are too much my brother.
Oo 2baba i thank god for you love back,i love your talent,i think you such conti… In it.nothin thay appen! 2face you are too much my brother….
Tu baba ride on God dey by your side jo.
Neva mind those felas that wanted to kill 2baba over mistakes every one of them can make. Like 2face sang “No one Holy pass” and Who God has blessed, no one can curse. I can’t wait till May 21 to get my hand on the album. Am sure he will regain his no one place in our hearts.
i don,t support all that i no that 2face is a musician that i like so much in Nigeria not that he is from my state and from the same local government but i always love but in every album there most be a song that i will love so much my number one is feeling you and free and take it back and excuses me sister and go down there and implication
2baba, big up 2 u, nothing do u. Implication is very nice, it has a very good concept.
2baba u 2 much i love u my guy in my street dey use 2 call me 2face guy bone i love die one love MAN
2baba u are 2much, kip it up. Notin dey happen. But only God make it possible. Blessing.
2baba, big up 2 u, nothing do u. Implication is very nice, it has a very good concept.
Implication was really good stuff… @Victoria Ige, have you heard the "only me" because it is yet to hit the internet. If you have heard it please, post a preview for us to listen. 2baba no get mate for naija music scene. D'banj, P-square and the rest are behind him… Watch him with his live band and you will know this guy is really good…
You the best and u senior all niger artist. Can't wait to have the album even for 10,000 Naira i go buy am. You rule
2baba u ar 2 gbasky.u b my man 4life.correct guy.jooooh
Mr innocent as ur name entails; u ar 4 fame, nver 4 shame! Al d same, u remain ur name! Lets go dereee.
so at his age and wjth his 5 kids he still smokes poli or whatever he calls it?he should be ashamed of himself
Fela died at 58 and he was a POLLI ADDICT,yet all masses loved him and up till now after his death so what's bad about 2baba that no one has ever done in the past?…U got no point.U re just hater
2baba,ifynabarger,no do gragra,,fuck all dem bargars.d'bang na stil ur boy.
Who wan implicate d implicated 2face Idibia?By saying all these unusual things about d poor boy wey dey meditate nd concentrate,una fit make am migrate 4rm music oh!2baba abeg flex on…
2baba,big up!you are unstoppable…”with you is the way i would rather be”.if nobody talk about you,u’re nobody…you the bomb
2BABA,naija's gr8test!!!
2face is the bomb among the artise in africa. I can wait 2 c his next album ft mjb. Am ur die hard fan since day 1 love u die. Reach me pls 08088661397
Guys d colabo na True. i don watch am for youtube many times, him with Marry J. for studio.. He`s Back.. He`s Good.. if na me, na 15 pikin i go born from plenty woman lol.. Yes i have the money lets me enjoy my money.. More Hits.
2face u're good.but, becareful go back 2ur root i mean d way u start ur music like "Africa queen" "if love is a crime'' .God bless u & ur family.
Now he doesnt want to remain the same which is why he is graduating each day ng the most versatile artiste out of the continent of Africa.Through this,he will go places and touce alot of people's souls,both young and old.So dont worry although he wouldnt dare forget his root because thats him originally.
2BABA ur gbasky is eternity…its not wat u do but how it is done
2 baba continue ur swagger i dey feel u.
2 baba the greatest of them all….U way ahead of them,i luv u ma guy
2baba notin do u. U're d bomb no mind wetin people d talk abt u. That makes u a legend.
i love you tuface…i see you in my dreams.your music makes me go crazy.you are the best naija musician.you are the king.God made you the head,nobody can bring you down.forget the haters,make dem dey implicate themselves dey go,make you dey unstoppable.one love…may 21st….catcha
Legend of the legend of the legend.2face ur 2 much if luv is a crime…………
2 baba i dey feel u o.ma jeun lo jooo.o po ju.
Tu baba u tu much.
Tuface just be rest assured dat u are d legend even though u die today the record is stil there.u pass dem as god pass all of us.one luv.
YES OOOO!…Nothing dey happen….Give way 4 African’s No.1 artist.. 2 BABA na Grammy we dey wait 4 bros…
2 face is easily the number one musical artiste in this country,after him come the rest we are all so proud of him.i so love you innocent idibia, i've loved you since you were a plantashun boy, since forever.
Actually is al about one’s lif,as 2baba want’s 2 b a classic model, i wil personaly sugest 4 him 2 go on wit lif witout setlin down. It wil b more lucrative. I luv d opinion of not rejectin d kids
2baba i beg no mind watin dem tlk. Dem 4get say nobody holy pass n if nobody tlk bout u den ur nobody. U 2 much joor. NOTIN DEY HAPPEN
A lot are posing to be you on several site. Please do something. Please maintain your integrity.
May GOD bless you,& pls remember GOD