Words Sarah Bentley, Tokunbo David Photography Mike Schreiber
Innocent Ujah Idibia is busy. 2face, as you probably know him, is busy with preparations for the re-release of his 2008 album The Unstoppable, in international edition; busy being a dad; and busy travelling. So much so that ARISE’s chats with the multiple Mama, Channel O and Kora award-winner took place, variously, in Lagos, Johannesburg, Accra and New York. “It’s the international edition!” he says. “It’s how I’ve got to roll.”
Before D’Banj, P-Square, M.I. and all the other current claimants to the naija pop crown there was 2face. Or more precisely, there was Plantashun Boyz. The R&B trio formed in 1996 and comprised of Blackface, Faze and 2face. The Boyz II Men of Nigeria, they were the first local pop act to fill stadiums. Since they split
in 2004, 2face has had the most success. His debut solo album Face 2 Face sold 2million copies and includes Africa Queen, which is still his signature tune today. In 2006 his sophomore album Grass 2 Grace divided opinion, with critics either delighted or disappointed. In the same year, Idibia had his first child out of wedlock. And within two years he had fathered a total of five children by three different mothers, which lead to critcism from the West African press.
While the baby-mama drama unfolded, Idibia left long-time record label Kennis Music to set up his own imprint, Hypertek. The Unstoppable was the label’s first release and showcased Idibia’s expansive range. It included classic naija pop song Enter The Place, a slick cover of Mad Cobra, make-out anthem Flex and the refreshingly humble ballad Appreciate It. But despite its calibre, the album didn’t sell well. Whether it was the victim of the bad press or Hypertek’s untested infrastructure is unclear. Idibia blames the latter. So, two years later he’s still pushing The Unstoppable, albeit in a new format, for a new audience. Savvy business decision or stubborn egotism? Let’s see...
So, an international release – what’s that?
I’m trying to set a precedent. Artists from Nigeria have not really sold their records outside Nigeria, all we know about is releasing records here that people take out of Nigeria. So I want to release internationally and sell internationally –in the shops in the UK, Europe, USA, other parts of the world.
Why re-release an old album?
Justice wasn’t done when it first came out. I’d just set up Hypertek and had to do everything on my own and was let down by the distributors and marketers. Also at that time everyone was ripping apart my personal life and that was tough.
Controversy can help boost sales.
Yes, but not in Nigeria. What I did is frowned upon. I care about what I’m famous for and I want it to be my music not my personal life.
Why not chalk it up to experience and make a new album?
I’m not ready to drop it. I want it to reach new audiences abroad and thanks to my new licensing deal in the UK I hope it will do that. I’m not re-releasing it in Nigeria but for my old fans I’ve made it fresh. There are new songs – Be There, Implication – new artwork and a couple of new videos.
We’ve grabbed time with you in Lagos, Johannesburg, Accra and New York. What have you been doing in these cities?
In Lagos I was doing a concert for the victims of the Jos crisis. In New York I had two shows. In Johannesburg I was shooting a video for a World Cup track with Kelly Rowland. And in Accra I was doing a concert for the Little Big Souls charity, an organisation that takes care of preterm babies.
Talking of babies – you have five of your own...
Yes. The youngest is two, the eldest four. Having kids was the defining moment of my life. It made me understand what my parents did for me, although they were unhappy I had children out of wedlock. Nigeria is quite a traditional society. But now they’ve come around. They love their grandchildren and can see I’m taking responsibility the best way I can.
In January it was reported you were married...
It’s lies. I would get married but not right now. I’m not ready.
You could have a polygamous marriage and marry all three of your baby mothers?
Hahaha! No, I’ve never considered that before. I wouldn’t be able to handle that. Being married is a whole different thing – I couldn’t cope with four wives! Polygamous marriages are like rocket science to me – I can’t understand how they work, it baffles me. I understand how very rich people do it – the wives have separate apartments. When ordinary men do it I’m like, “Whoa!” Jacob Zuma in South Africa – he’s a gangster man for doing it – he’s a G!
Some people might think how you live now is not far from that...
Believe me, it is. Me and my children’s mothers are cool but marriage is a different thing altogether. It wouldn’t work.
Are you dating now?
No. But when I am I try to treat the lady good. Sometimes I cook. I can boil eggs, make tea. I can do beef and yam, jollof rice, beef and rice – the proper ting.
You’ve been called ‘the spermulator’, ‘a woman wrapper’, ‘the father of all nations’ – do you have a favourite?
I like ‘woman wrapper’ but I’ve changed my ways. You couldn’t call me that now.
Do you feel like public property?
Yeah. Being 2face is hectic, seriously. But the way I try to handle it is just being myself. I try to know the people who are serious, and the ones that just want to hang out.
A few years ago you were the victim of three armed robberies. How has this affected you?
It made me understand anything can happen so every second in life counts. It’s made me more cautious. I worry about my safety but you can only do so much. The rest is in God’s hands.
Would you ride in a danfo or go to a market?
I’d like to but it’s not practical. Everyone would want to take pictures – the bus would never leave. It would create a riot, a roadblock.
What is your greatest vice?
I trust people too much, in my personal life and in business. I don’t want to go into detail but plenty of people have double-crossed me. They sign a contract and then the next thing they’re acting up and trying to take advantage of the fact I’m quiet. I’ve had to learn to shout and be pushy in business.
In 2007 you released Plan B, a reunion album with Plantashun Boyz. Will there be more reunion projects?
Definitely, either an album or a tour. There’s nothing solid yet but we will. We are still all big friends. You use a lot of roots reggae inspired lyrics in your songs. Reggae is my major influence. It’s what I listen to at home. I like plenty artist – Capleton, Sizzla, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Maxi Priest, Bob Marley.
Have you been to Jamaica?
I’ve been once in 2008 to Kingston for the Africa Unite and Bob Marley’s birthday celebration concert. It was spiritual for me. I didn’t get to go to any street parties so I need to go back.
The Nigerian media accused you of faking your collaboration with R Kelly on Flex. What was all that about?
Sometimes the press write stuff, they can be very narrow-minded. They always believe that foreign artists are better than their own. So when I made this track and we weren’t in the studio together, it looked like it wasn’t real. But so many collaborations are done like that [in different studios].
Some female fans complain that the chorus on Enter The Place, “hook up with the girl with the biggest behind”, is degrading to women. Any defence?
They’re only saying that because they don’t have big behinds. Ha ha ha. No, it’s party lyrics. They’re not meant to be serious.
A lot of your tracks such as Go Down There and Oh Papa are very politically conscious. The Nigerian President passed away in May. What do you think of Nigeria’s new president Jonathan Goodluck?
I don’t want to talk about individuals. The political situation in Nigeria is ridiculous. Most politicians are greedy, shameless people who don’t care about Nigeria. The only way out is if more good people with the best interests of the country at heart go into politics.
What are the main issues you’d like to see resolved in Nigeria?
The long-term effect of having such a corrupt system is that people live in that mode like it’s the norm and that will take a long time to be corrected – to learn you can’t buy your exam certificate, a business contract or a promotion, you have to earn it.
You’re from Jos. What do you think of the situation there?
No matter what grievances these people had, it didn’t concern the women and children. People don’t just wake up and decide to kill their neighbours. I was born there, what if they came and killed me when I was born, or killed my mother? I wouldn’t be here today.
The situation would have been simmering for a long time and the government should have stopped it by providing jobs or tackling poverty. Poverty ignited the whole thing; religion and revenge kept it going. The people against the power take it to the religious and ethnic level, to dilute the opposition. The power will want to make it ethnic – so it’s still part of their self interest.
What’s your philosophy on life?
Live and let live. Because until people with different views, opinions, likes and characters can get along, not just in Nigeria but the entire world, we won’t progress.