konknaijaboy | On 09, Jul 2014

One of Africa’s most decorated and successful hip pop artistes Innocent Ujah Idibia commonly referred to as 2face in an exclusive interview with HipHopWorld Magazine disclosed how from 16yrs of age he began to perform in front of friends and family in Benue state
where he grew up with so much hope of climbing the music industry ladder in the nearest future.

HHWM: What’s your typical day like?

2face: I wake up in the morning and I stretch up my feet,
say a thank you prayer and then I brush up my teeth
*smiles* well it depends on where I passed the night.

HHWM: How was it like growing up?

2face: I grew up in Benue state, my parent were very
peaceful people so growing up was very peaceful for me.
‘’No too much drama’’

HHWM: At what age did you start doing music?
2face: Music has always been what I had always dreamt of
right from when I was a kid, but I started fully when I was
15 years of age.

HHWM: Tell us about your love story with Annie
2face: *scoffs* First time I met her was at ezra studio
where I was recording, I saw her and we became friends,
since 1999, initially it was just peaceful hangouts, and
you know as e dey be gradually gradually the whole thing
grew and blew into what it is today *smiles* Thank God
say them give me o if not hmmm *laughs*

HHWM: How did you manage the scandals in the past?

2face: Well for me I don’t run away from responsibilities,
for me I just lock myself away from all the talks, it’s a
crazy world you know this days everyone get opinion on
how you suppose live your life, Crazy.

HHWM: With your busy schedules do you have time to
attend P.T.A meetings?

2face: *laughs* One or two times, I must confess, I don’t
attend this events as much as I will want to, but I will love
to go for more of these activities in my kids schools

HHWM: What does fatherhood mean to you?

2face: Fatherhood for me is a full time job, a big task, big
responsibility, a blessing, it has changed the way I think
and the way I do things, you know you go gas dey
caution yourself *smiles*

HHWM: How do you relax?
2face: for me it depends on where I am and my mood,
but most times I just chill out with a couple of friends, I
like seeing movies so sometimes I just lock myself in see
movies as much as I can.

HHWM: What is your favourite food?
2face: *smiles* omo I don answer dis question plenty
times and na still the same answer na Beans and yam with
you know dried fish here and there *smile*

HHWM: Your first album face to face is ten years and
you are about to release your sixth album. How has the
journey been so far?

2face: The journey so far has been front back side
*smiles* so far so good I have gained so much experience
have learnt a lot, but we still get where we dey head, we
are heading somewhere, and we are getting there
gradually.

HHWM: Your next album is titled ‘’ASCENSION’’, why
that title?

2face: The ascension for me is me growing from a boy to
man, spiritual healing, and am not doing just anyhow
music, this one is real for music lovers and that’s what
you should expect in this album.

HHWM: What is your favourite song from the ascension
album?

2face: okay there is a song ‘’KISS OF LIFE’’ it’s a mid
tempo song, a love song, I just love the song.

HHWM: What inspired the title ‘’Kiss of Life”?

2face: The song is about someone you have been
crushing on since childhood, and then you just need a
kiss to ease off the crush, I wrote the song before giving it
that title.

HHWM: How did you meet Bridget Kelly?

2face: some people hooked us up and we clicked, I was
like how far na? I get this track o and this your voice no
go bad on top, she heard it and she liked it and that was it.

HHWM: When is the album coming out?

2face: my single “LET SOMEONE LOVE YOU’’ will be
coming out first, then the full album will be out next
month.

HHWM: What is your take on the upcoming artistes in
Nigeria?

2face: I think a whole lot of them are brilliant and they
know what they are doing, they are hardworking,
dedicated to doing quality music, I am really impressed,
but you know in every generation you will have the super
stars and the wanna be’s and the ones that are forcing
themselves to be something *smiles* I am proud of the
energy these young ones are coming with.

HHWM: Why did you sign Prof Uwaifo to Hypertek?

2face: I would love to work with a lot of Nigerian
legends, my manager mr efe in times past did a
compilation Album for Prof Uwaifo, so he suggested the
idea, when we approached the legend we were like will he
laugh at us, but he just said yes let’s do this and we were
so happy. My aim is to allow the new generation have a
feel of how music was before this new school music, it’s
funny to know that artist that where there before we came
in are no longer celebrated which is bad.

HHWM: You seem to be a role model to a lot of artistes
who are your role models?

2face: *smiles* you sure say I be role model? *laughs*
my role models are many, I love someone who is calm
and can build things from the scratch. So if you know
anyone like that, that’s my role model.

HHWM: What is the difference between being an artiste
and a label head?

2face: There are no solid institutions to back up the
business so label head is not easy at all they do all with
nothing, but we are trying and we are doing fine.

HHWM: What is your take on the Nigeria music industry?

2face: I can confidently say Nigeria is in the forefront of
shaping the future of music in Africa, 10years ago a lot of
things we see were not there so its growing really well.

HHWM: What should be the role of the nigerian artiste in
the state of the nation?

2face: To be the voice of the people, the state of the
nation right now is sad my heart bleeds every time, and
this happens when there’s bad governance, we have some
good people in power but the bad ones keeps making the
state of the nation worse. So am calling on the good
people to continue to do well.

HHWM: Whats your philosophy of life?

2face: Do your best and leave the rest.

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