Interview with Innocent Ujah ‘2Face’ Idibia |28 October 2006

Before performing tonight inside the SMB Exhibition Hall at Roche Caïman, he will be at the OJ Enterprise in Victoria at 11 a.m. to sign autographs.

The artiste has said that he is ready to give local music lovers their money’s worth and tickets for tonight’s show, which will start at 9.30 p.m., cost R75.

The Arts page of Seychelles Weekend Nation met 2Face for an exclusive interview yesterday afternoon and he willingly answered our questions. Readers please cling on and read from the king’s heart.

The Arts: This is your first visit here. What is your impression of Seychelles?

2Face: I Like Seychelles. It’s so natural.

The Arts: What have you in store for Seychellois music lovers tonight?

2Face: We’re gonna go crazy, but peacefully and spiritually.

The Arts:  How did you get started into doing music?

2Face: I started making music professionally in 1997. I started with a friend in a group. We got somebody to listen to our demos and somehow things started happening.

The Arts:  How far are you planning to take your career?

2Face: I hope to go all the way like other international stars and I wish to bring a lot to the African music industry.

The Arts: The song African Queen has been a huge hit. How did it come about and where did you get the inspiration?

2Face: The inspiration came from my desire to have a song that would show respect and love for African women. So that’s basically where the inspiration came from. It’s not only about your girlfriend or your wife. It’s also for your mother and sister. It’s a song for all African women.

The Arts: Is there an artiste who influenced you?

2Face: Wow! There are plenty. I don’t know if I can list all of them. When I was younger, I listened to a lot of Bob Marley’s music. I like Wyclef (Jean of the Fugees). I also listen to Country music and singers like Don Williams, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers have had an influence on my style. African singers like Myriam Makeba and Fella from Nigeria also influenced me. I guess they all have one thing or another in my music.

The Arts: What kind of music do you like best?

2Face: It’s definitely reggae music. It’s deep and spiritual. I’m a very spiritual person. Reggae artistes always say things on a serious level. Maybe that’s why I like it.

The Arts: How do you feel about your accomplishment?

2Face: I just feel that so far I’m on the right track although I’ve not reached where I want to reach yet. But at least, I’m getting there.

The Arts:  What level do you want to reach then?

2Face: (He laughs...) I want to be somebody coming from Africa and based in Africa but internationally recognised. Also I want to be able to contribute positively to the African music industry. Reaching there, I will be able to say “You come to Africa and do a song with so and so and they will gladly do it.” Right now, there’s still a gap between African artistes and the international ones. By reaching there it will mean bridging that gap so that we will all be of the same level in terms of money, fame and everything.

The Arts:  Did success come easy for you?

2Face: Not at all. It’s not easy, especially if you come from Africa. It’s not easy anywhere, not just Africa. So many artistes are trying to record songs and have no money for studio sessions. Sometimes you want to get listed on a show and you are not included because people don’t know you. Now, it’s not easy because there’s so much pressure and so much expectation. I can’t do the normal things I used to do anymore. So it’s always not easy at every stage.

The Arts:  How do you go about producing a hit song?

2Face: The recipe for a hit song ... Wow! Man...  I don’t know. I guess it’s good lyrics, good melody, good producer, good record label and good promotion. You might have a very nice song and if it’s not promoted well, it won’t be a success.

The Arts:  What is your advice for up-and-coming artistes who want to be successful?

2Face: Be real, hard working, be honest and be focused. They also have to respect other people and also respect God.

The Arts:  Do you have an idea of Seychelles’ music?

2Face: Not yet. But I have a feel of it as they do ragga dance-hall which I’m very familiar with.

The Arts:  How did it feel like to receive the first Best African Act award category at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2005 and to have your African Queen song be the first video ever played on the Pan African channel MTV Base?

2Face: It’s history. I’m so proud to be part of that piece of history. I’m the first African to receive an MTV Music Award. It felt really good. It made me realise that there’s now a spotlight on Africa. It made me feel so honoured and privileged. I’m also the first African singer to have his video played on MTV Africa. It’s a very big opening for African artistes.

The Arts: What are your immediate plans?

2Face: I’ve just launched my record label – Hypertech Entertainment – in Nigeria and I hope to extend it to other parts of the world. I also expect to launch my clothing line – 2Baba.

The Arts: What does 2Baba mean?

2Face: It’s my nickname. This is how boys and girls call me in Nigeria.

The Arts: What is the meaning of 2Face then?

2Face: It’s the inside and the outside. The outside is what you see and the inside represents the real person. I am what you see.

The Arts: Finally, what kind of person are you then?

2Face: I’m just the way I look. I’m very free and straight up. I get crazy at times but I’m a very peaceful person.

Interview by Gerard Govinden