With due respect to creativity and productivity, it is apparently glaring, the artistic dexterity of Tuface Ujah Idibia in eclectic maneuver of several music genre in his (Tuface Idibia) last two projects. In a critical appreciation of these projects titled; “Unstoppable” and “Away and Beyond”, one must mobilize adequate kudos to Tuface’s repertoire, thereby professionally recognizing authenticity of the “Legend in him” (Tuface Idibia).
This is because, in the works stated above, one finds a juxtaposition of Reggae (Raindrop/Higher), Rock (Emotion/Dance Floor), Hip-life (1 Sing/ Steady steady, Iheneme), R&B (Be there/Omotosan, bother you) to mention but a few.
Consequently, it is highly justified to identify Tuface Idibia as MC VERSATILE (All rights reserved, a project on-going on Tuface Idibia coming out soon by the author of this piece) which really exposes the creative maturity as well as the wild expansion of his (Tuface) artistry.
However, this piece spot-light a deep and provoking contradiction of the Gospel preached by TUBABA himself. Hey…, before you crucify me. “Gospel” here is contextually placed based on its literal meaning.
According to the Oxford Advanced Leaner’s Dictionary, Gospel means, goodnews. Good news about salvation, morality ethics of human life, inter-personal relations, Communal relations, peace etc. hence the adoption of a moral cum philosophical sermon preached by Tuface, staring at the track HIGHER (Spiritual healing) in the “Away and Beyond” project.
THE SONG
INTRO: INDIA …
Every time we spent together
there is fire in our eyes ......
All the things we said to each other
are just nothing but truthful lies
I go dey think say i know you well
Until you choose to do me so, ooooo
Chorus: Now I see ……. Now I see
I see, higher than, higher than the height of the mountain
Deeper than, deeper than the depth of the ocean
Further than, further than the eyes can see
[But me talking spiritualty]
I see, wider than, wider than the width of the desert
Lower than, lower than the depth of the ocean
Further than, further than the eyes can see
[But me talking spiritualty]
Spiritual healing, . . . . Open your eyes
Spiritual healing, free your mind from hate
Spiritual healing . . . . . . .
Verse
We never got a chance, the chance to make it right
Cos right from the beginning some people don dey fight
They fighting for the same thing, this is not bright
And brightness only come from when you see the light. Like life is so simple but they make it complicated. To be civilized you don’t have to be educated. Let’s make it happen, so we time will not be wasted.
Most of the things anticipated like:
1. Don’t trample upon another man to be elevated
2. Inflated ego can surely be deflated
3. The power of forgiveness is underrated
4. But with love and equality we all were created.
Testifying/Testimony
I keep saying these things cos I know,
I’ll keep on saying these things until I go
And now I see ……. Now I see, I see .……
The above track is highly inspirational from a Reggae perspective. It is emotionally inclined and thought-provokes the sub-conscious in a bid to redirect the general philosophy of life in forms of jealousy and envy and betrayal.
The song is prologued by regret, as the word “We” and “together” signifies some one close and intimate in a friendly, cum family context. This regret is spring board by appearance and reality which means, deceit, has been going on all along in an oxymoronic expression “truthful lies” ….
But like the golden fish, no where to hide, character turned to attitude and attitude can never reside immaculate in mask, it must be knowingly or ignorantly unmasked “until you chose to do me so” …
But we have the assurance that such mistakes have been, but to avoid re-occurrence of such as the song assures: Now I see,
- Higher than the mountain
- Deeper than the depth of the ocean
- Further than the eye can see
[me talking spiritualty], all these symbolically represents, spiritual/psychological illumination of the mind in metaphor.
Confessionally however, the verse thematically showcased Tuface’s willingness to make it-up with the RIVAL but ego circumstances which seemed beyond his control frustrates such efforts as they never get the chance to make it right …
Although this may confuse the listener and questions may arise on who Tuface is referring to in this wonderful track of his which I so much like to title Tuface Gospel, I may relate it to his Brother of “their” defunct group, plantationn boiz – Black Face, giving it the most glaring perspective in a constructive manner.
The Saga of the “African Queen” track is a tussle which Tuface feels he owes Black Face nothing, that track fortunately is Tuface’s ILLUMINATING Source. No verbal or written kudos to the writer (Black Face) and no financial compensation to the credit of Black Face, rather “Ego” is overshadowing the act.
If they never get the chance to make it right, who’s going to create the chance?. So unfortunate Black Face is relegated to the background in this track (HIGHER). The puritan attitude of Tuface in this track bedevils the reputation of Black Face not only in the song but in reality. For failing to invite a friend such as Black Face to his wedding. What a contradiction?.
All the effort of this song is thwarted in four contradictory recommendations by Tuface:
1. Don’t trample upon another man to be elevated
2. Inflated ego can surely be deflated.
3. The power of forgiveness is underrated.
4. But with love and equality we all were created
The first recommendation is faulted by him (Tuface) as he trampled upon Black Face and was elevated. Secondly, his (Tuface) ego inflates to the point of seeing Black Face as noting and a nobody as well as not accrediting the “creativity to the creator” AFRICAN QUEEN. Thirdly, the power of forgiveness is really underrated by himself to see that they (both) are at logger heads, and if really Tuface is aware of the love and equality there would be no lack of respect for Blacky.
It may interest all to know that Tuface has learnt from the saga but will not deflate his ego to recognize Blacky. Now the two last albums of Tubaba carry credit to all whose works were adopted.
Finally, credit should be given to those who worth such and if the definition of legend means living by principles you preach and is known for, there is a big contradiction with Tuface’s Gospel and that need to be corrected as he (Tuface) will never be in isolation of Face and Black Face because;
§ There would have been no Marley without the WAILERS.
§ No Michael without the JACKSON FIVE.
§ No Fela without the KALAKUTA crew.
It can still be resolved as Tubaba testifies;
“I keep saying these things cos I know
I will keep saying these things until I go”.
www..com
By
JEROME JOHN
[email protected]
08065360466.
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