When Innocent 2Face Idibia mounted the stage at the launch of this year’s Star Trek Concert held recently, he told patrons he was still the same man and that marriage hadn’t changed him.
But it seems the African Queen crooner has eaten back his words. Opening up to Nigeria Entertainment Today (NET) last Thursday about his career, Nigeria music industry, politics among others during a visit to the NET headquarters, 2Face confirmed that marriage has changed him.
Here are excerpts of the interview:
Hasn’t marriage changed 2face?
Actually it’s the aspect of me being a jolly good fellow that I meant by marriage hasn’t changed me but it has changed me in a way that now I am more responsible, because it is a serious business. When I was a bachelor, I could just decide after a show to chill and sleep in a hotel but I can’t do that anymore. There was even a time when I made up my mind not to get married.
So what brought about the change of mind?
I realise say I dey ‘mumu’ myself (laughs). If you see the person you no fit run from am you go like am die so why you dey run.
So how often do you keep in touch with your other baby mamas?
As often as necessary.
But you love children, right?
I often wish it didn’t happen this way, but I can’t regret or make myself feel bad for what has happened. I wish it was different, and I wish I could wake up every morning and see all of them but that’s not the case right now.
It’s not easy shuffling here and there to see them. Sometimes for weeks or months I don’t see them. It’s not easy but as you lay your bed, so you will lie on it.
Your wedding was probably the biggest that happened in the last decade or two, did you plan this right from the very go?
My wife and I actually wanted a quiet and peaceful wedding but unfortunately for Innocent Idibia, Tuface interfered (laughs). Tuface and Annie Macaulay now interfered in Innocent and Uwana’s wedding. So, unfortunately when they say we no fit hide, yes we no fit hide.
I see you wearing your wedding band. How does that feel?
(Laughs) O boy, you know how many times I don forget am for house? Dem go con carry am come meet me bros see your wedding ring.
It feels good honestly especially if it’s with somebody that you actually know and understand. Somebody that you are comfortable being around.
How will your marriage or marital status affect you in making a new record?
Well, it’s not going to affect it in any way and if the word affect is even going to come up, we’ll have an avenue splits that it will affect it positively.
What should we look forward to?
More mature music. I’m going very spiritual this time around. It’s not like I’m not going to keep maintaining the pop appeal in the music but this is going to be the deepest that I have ever gone.
Do you think ‘international break’ and mainstream America or UK has eluded you, if so, why and do you still look forward to it?
Okay I’m not going to go into all the details but there was a time when I had it, it was out there but somehow I can’t even explain how that window passed.
While I want to become big in America and Europe, I don’t want to sell myself short or into any slave trade kind of deal because I want to work in America or become popular there. I want something that I will still maintain most of my right, creative right and the likes. In as much as I want to do all that, I still want to be very careful not to just sign my life away. I want to do it in a way that I will just blend.
If I come to you and say I want to make it in music, what are the key things you’re going to tell me?
I’ll tell you first and foremost music is serious business. You have to know that you can’t know everything so you’ll have to get one or two people that have things that can cover the aspects that you have shortcomings.
You have to be able to work with people so to speak and you have to be able to allow the people you bring in do the work. Very important is, respecting people and God.
Do you miss your privacy?
I don’t even have time to miss it again because it’s gone.
But if you were to live again, will you do a ‘Lagbaja‘ on us?
How you take know wetin I wan talk sef? That’s probably exactly what I will do. Lagbaja, Allah! Cos the wahala plenty. But there’s a price for everything, and so that’s the price of fame. I’m the kind of person that would have loved to go to a local joint to eat amala.
Do you eat in that ‘amala’ place in Festac?
I can’t go there anymore. Imagine the attention that it will generate.
Do you think Music can solve Nigeria’s problem?
Music cannot, it’s gone beyond music, these people even invite musicians to come and perform for them when they win a contract while millions are hungry.
Religion is one of our major problems. Religion has made people timid and naïve. It covers their eyes like a veil and prevents them from seeing the realities of life. Religion is more of a problem than even tribalism.
Would you keep making politically, relevant music?
I will definitely do that. When Fela was talking about all these things, I don’t know if he had proof or it was just sheer bravery knowing the facts that this thing is going on, but he said it regardless.
I’m not going to say what I’m not sure of, but one thing I know is that there is absolute corruption and nobody can pretend that it’s not there. They say they are fighting, they’re not fighting anything. If they are, you will see the effect.
