by S’ola Filani

Whoop, Pop star, 2face Idibia is 38 today!

You could call him the most successful contemporary music artiste in Nigeria today but WE say Innocent Ujah Idibia, is one of the best music exports Nigeria has ever produced.

We celebrate this tall, good-looking musician who is worth multiple figures and known allover Africa and the world, by highlighting 38 reasons why almost if not everyone loves him.

1. He hails from Jos, Plateau state – he is from the Idoma ethnic group in the southern part of Benue State – that’s why he chips in tribal proverbs or indigenous word in his music.
2. He dropped out to pursue his music career and he is not ashamed to admit THIS.
3. He writes his songs – ”For me it’s depending on the mode, the situation, sometimes I’m in the plane or I’m in the club, an inspiration just pops up. At that moment, I might decide to just take my phone up, and record whatever is coming into my head from my phone. Sometimes I just sit down at home, get a pen and paper, and just start creating the melody in my head, and writing the lyrics. I write the lyrics, and create the melody before I go to the studio…” He says.
4. He is Natural: Even though 2face Idibia may not be the best or most skilful vocalist out there, what distinguishes his voice from other ‘better’ singers out there is that natural, boy-next-door feel it communicates to you.  His originality is ingenuous – when he sings he just carries you along.
5. Solo career: Not many Nigerian artistes who break out from groups can boast of a successful career today but 2face Idibia achieved that after breaking out the Plantashaun boys’ musical group years ago. Today, he is one of the most decorated and successful Afro pop artists in Africa.
6. Humility: He is unarguably one of the most humble musicians in Nigeria today. With over 17 years in the music industry, he has remained humble and down-to-earth. He bows when shaking hands and doesn’t let his body guards scare off his fans from him. He is not a snob like many of the artistes we have today.
7. Family man: He has seven children by 3 different women but his kids still have access with him. He doesn’t joke with them and he is happily married to actress, Annie Idibia.
8. First Nigerian artiste to wed outside Nigeria – Dubai. The wedding was the most talked about for a long time, and yes it had lots of Crème de la crème  in attendance.
9. He is romantic: Proposed to his wife in a romantic and unexpected manner in 2012, as a matter of fact, he started the trend of proposing in public for celebrities in Nigeria.
10. Known for his PDAs – publicly showers praises on his wifey. Many times he is not ashamed to let the world know how much he misses his wife. He calls her to join him on stage sometimes, and posts her photos on his IG pages with captions like “Mizzing thingzzz”
11. He is one of the most bankable artists in Africa – has properties in Festac, Ikeja and Lagos Island. He also runs Hypertek, an entertainment company and record label, owns Rumours Lounge in Ikeja and Festac, among other business interests. He has also acquired two more five-bedroom duplexes in a luxury estate in the highbrow Lekki axis of Lagos.
12. He has over 40 awards: 2face has 40 awards both locally and internationally. From Kora Awards, Channel O Music Video, MTV Europe Music, MOBO, MTV Africa Music to BET Awards; Tuface has won virtually every national, continental and international music award on offer for African artistes.
13. He is a survivor: Many times he has been wanted dead! He has experienced near-death events, including gunshots from an armed robbery and many a times, the media (blogs) have spread rumors of his death but he is still alive, waxing stronger.
14. He has been hit with lots of scandals but he comes out even stronger. One of such is the top banker whom he allegedly impregnated earlier this year – the scandal dragged on for weeks, but the truth prevailed in the end.
15. His hit song “African Queen” is still very loved today – you can still play African Queen today and get the mood started.
16. First Nigerian artiste whose track is used in a internationally released movie – ‘African Queen’ was used in the soundtrack for the film Phat Girlz, which was released internationally in 2006.
17. He has the best track record of any new generation Nigerian artist over the past 2 decades.
18. He is not known for singing the praises of Politicians (for money or quick prestige) like some artistes do today.
19. His songs are always acceptable and decent, with messages to pass across. “I try to do music, not for just the present time, but for tomorrow, that in the future, it will still sound good to your ears and make sense.” He says
20. He has a good  sense of humour: Sometimes he shares random tweets that get you laughing or chip in funny statements during interview sessions.  “I focus on producing better music and doing my work. Because after all, if the music sweet, you no go talk say because I give person belle, you no go listen to the music.“
21. Philanthropist: 2Face has established an NGO called 2Face Idibia Reach-Out Foundation which motto is service to humanity.
22. Man of Endorsements: In 2009, 2Face was appointed as ambassador by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. He is also a Red Cross Ambassador.
23. Successfully churns out albums every two years: 2004: Face 2 Face, 2006: Grass 2 Grace, 2008: The Unstoppable, 2010: The Unstoppable International Edition, 2012: Away & Beyond and 2014: The Ascension. His 6th studio album, ‘The Ascension’, is currently the highest selling album in iTunes Nigeria.
24. 2face has been in the industry for 17 years, and still is growing stronger. Most his mates are all insignificant now or fading away into oblivion yet he is still one of hottest names in the music business.
25. Weakness – He is not afraid to admit his Achilles hills – women – but his marriage to Annie has helped in overcoming that.
26. Realizes the importance of education and that is why he is going back to school to study Law. “Success is relative, but having an education is also very important and I would encourage anybody to get an education. Although you find that in some cases, some people didn’t even have access to education but they are very successful people today. All the same, education is important; it’s a plus and a very good advantage. “
27. He doesn’t joke with God and his fans: “the grace of God, hard work, and my fans, have brought me this far” he always say in his interviews.
28. ‘He is not a fan of any football club: Over the years, I have changed my support for many clubs. At different times, it was Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid. So I won’t come out and say I’m a fan of any club. I don’t know, I guess I’m a fan of good football.
29. Cancer: Last month 2face Idibia lost his father tragically to prostate cancer, thus he is lending his voice to the prevention of Prostate Cancer in Nigeria. He recently helped kick off Prostate Cancer Awareness Month which is this month (September) and he has partnered with CECP-Nigeria (Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy) to inform Nigerians about the disease. The group plans to deploy Mobile Cancer Centres (MCC) which would take holistic health promotion to the grassroots of Nigeria.
30. He cooks! Yes he does. Recently travelled to Ghana for a talk show (Yvonne Okoro’s show) and right there he assisted his wife in preparing a meal.
31. He doesn’t flaunt his wealth: 2Face Idibia isn’t exactly known for ostentatious display of wealth unlike a lot of his colleagues in the industry. It’s not like he can’t afford high priced clothes and cars but as an artiste he is low key choosing instead to invest his money in real estate.                                                                                      
32. All his kids look like him – he’s got strong genes.
33. He seldom engages his fans in a war of words of social media – he rather ignores the insults.
34. He is a man of the people.
35. His not too recent collaboration with Victor Olaiya – Baby Mi Da – still remains one of the best collaboration in Nigeria’s musical scene. There was such a great un-forced chemistry between the two artists –  it had the old school versus the new school mix (modern  hop versus Dr Victor Olaiya’s High life style).           
36. He told us EVERYTHING in this interview we had with him, about two years ago.
37. He is great mentor: Since he took the name 2face in 1996, Innocent Ujah Idibia has led the way for his industry, for his peers, and for Nigeria.
38. Need we say more?!

Sola