Artiste- 2face Idibia Album- Face2Face Guest Artistes- Freestyle, Natives, Lil Seal, Blackface Producers- OJB Jezreel Record Label- Kennis Music The year was 2004. The Nigerian music industry was in dire need of a genuine super star.
The limited Toni Tetuila had peaked after his smash hit ‘My car’, and Eedris Abdulkareem had been exposed as a fake. The music scene was begging for an act that didn’t rely on gimmicks. It was in search of the real McCoy. 2face Idibia wasn’t exactly a newcomer back then. As a member of the R&B group Plantashun Boyz, he had already made a name for himself five years prior.
He was the star, the driving force, the charm of the group of three. Even with the success of Plantashun Boyz, everyone knew it was a matter of time before he left Black Face and Faze. His light was too bright for him to be a part of a group.
OJB Jezreel
Read More at thenet.ng/2014/04/face2face-2face-idiba-made-a-classic-10th-year-anniversary-album-review/ Follow us: @theNETng on Twitter | theNETng on Facebook
He needed to fly solo. Kennis Music might not be the number one label in the country today, but back then it was the powerhouse. The imprint was responsible for the rejuvenation of the urban music scene in Nigeria. Despite the success of Kennis, it was about to reach the height of its influence when Kenny ‘Keke’ Ogungbe and Dayo ‘D1′ Adeneye gave 2face a solo recording contract.
For his debut, 2face reached out to the maverick producer OJB Jezreel. Jigga, as he is also known, was Nigeria’s biggest man behind the boards at the time. He was responsible for a ton of hits on Nigerian radio. In the making of ‘Face2Face’, OJB would play Quincy Jones to 2face’s Michael Jackson. There are two types of classic albums. There are classic albums that are immediately recognised as a superior body of work because of their instant impact. The second type of classic albums are albums that take a decade or longer to be regarded as a perfect work of art.
‘Face2Face’ is of the first kind. Immediately it was released, it created a reaction never seen before in these parts. How can you describe perfection? It was immaculate, timely and flawless. In the months to come, a tiny disc that had its content produced in a less than ideal studio in Surulere, would become the most duplicated item in Nigeria.
It was more than the perfect blend of voice and beats. It was hope, aspiration, and belief in a musical pill. It’s crazy to think that the album that started 2face’s meteoric rise is ten years old. We’ve heard so many albums after ‘Face2Face’, but this album is arguably the greatest pop album of our generation. Originally 11 tracks long (which includes 3 humorous skits), entirely produced by OJB, ‘Face2Face’ still stands the test of time.
Next up is ‘Ole’ featuring Freestyle. It was the friend zone song before the term was even invented. When it comes to emotional delivery, 2 Baba is a beast. You can picture him clutching the dress of his love interest when he cries, ‘it is only fair you should let me know my position. It is only fair that you should let me know, you should let me know how you feel about me so. I have had enough of your forming, I am dying for your loving.’ Freestyle doesn’t go down on his knees for attention.
His verse has a be-gone-with-you sub-theme. It has to be said that Freestyle’s verse is arguably the best Nigerian rap verse. The damn thing is a gem of quotables, and a prime example to switch flows. It’s a shame that Freestyle never utilised his full potential.
The album starts with ‘Nfana Ibaga’, a song rich with intent. ‘I’m coming out straight this time…I’m doing it my way this time,’ raps 2face in the beginning of the track, declaring that he was about to unleash his full musical skills. He backs this up as he sings ‘welcome to my world’ at the tail end of the song.
The Mona Lisa of 2Face’s career is still ‘African Queen’. Ten years old, it still sounds lush and dreamy. The strings orchestrated by OJB Jezreel still pluck the strings of your heart. ‘You are my African Queen, the girl of my dreams. You remind me of a thing- and that’s the African beauty’, are words that millions of Nigerians know by heart. ‘African Queen’ is still the love song to beat. It’s kind of strange when you realise that ‘Keep on Rocking’ is the only clear party song on the album. In a time when artistes are obsessed with club jams, this classic album only has one.
Instead of being cluttered with dumb phrases, ‘Keep on Rocking’ is a narrative party starter composed by 2face, Da Natives and Lil Seal. Always the man of peace, 2 Baba sings ‘do your God some glory, try to come without a gun.’ After the hard partying comes ‘Thank You Lord’. It is an appreciation song, which sees the artiste thanking God for all he has done in his life. He thanks him for what he has done in the past, and what he is about to do in the future. I’m pretty sure that 2face didn’t know the success that was coming after the release of this album.
The curtain closes on ‘Odi Ya’ featuring fellow ex-Plantashun Boyz Black Face. This is the only song on the set that time has tainted. A decade after, ‘Face2Face’ is a masterpiece that is still strong as the first day of its release. Today, pundits argue about whether sensible music can sell in Nigeria. ‘Face2Face’ is proof that it did not too long ago. It also shows how pop music has been degraded in Nigeria.
The mixing and mastering isn’t great, but that hasn’t stopped this album from getting better with time. It is a proud and beautiful album, elegantly crafted by 2face. It is dynamite that still has the power to blow you away. It is still the greatest.
‘Right Here’ is a deep pool of emotional delivery. The song’s ice cold R&B was written by OJB. 2face’s voice is a potent conveyor of emotion. Showing his remorse, he pleads for his lover to give him another chance. ‘Sorry I make you cry.
Let’s talk about those things, and how we used to play. I re-write my wrongs,’ he sings on the track. 2Face has always has a soft spot for delivering socially conscious songs. In his long discography ‘U No Holy Pass’ is one of the best of such songs. With a siren blaring, 2Face warns about the consequence of pride and hypocrisy....
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
2025 U-20 AFCON: Check Out All 8 Teams That Qualified For Quarter-Finals
Watch Loved-Up Moment Portable's Wife, Ashabi Shared With The Singer (Video)
Police Arrest Suspected Ritualist With Human Organs In Lagos
PHOTOS: Troops Arrest Notorious Gunrunners, Recover Arms In Kaduna