What pushes me the most, my biggest regret after a quarter century in the spotlight — 2Baba

Music legend Innocent Idibia, also known as 2Baba, recently performed at the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards, treating guests to a musical journey with his timeless hits at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

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In a conversation with Entertainment Plus, 2Baba reflected on his 25-year journey in the music industry, expressing gratitude for his gift and the love of his fans worldwide, while also acknowledging the challenges he faced along the way.

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The Vanguard award, according to 2Baba, is one of the most prestigious and credible awards in Nigeria, bringing together important personalities to celebrate achievers in various sectors of the economy, and he commended Vanguard newspapers for the ceremony.

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Looking back on his career, 2Baba described his journey as a dream, crediting determination and hard work for his success, from his time with Plantashun Boiz to his solo career, which has been a remarkable ride.

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2Baba's decision to go solo was driven by his desire for success, and he worked tirelessly to achieve it, eventually realizing his dream, though the journey was tough and required perseverance.

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Regarding the feud with his former bandmate Blackface over the ownership of hits like "Let Somebody Love You" and "African Queen", 2Baba expressed disappointment and shock, stating that he had moved on after they settled out of court and Blackface apologized and retracted his statements.

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2Baba noted that "African Queen" was his biggest hit, but he has many other tracks, and he finds it challenging to compare his music to others, as every song is unique.

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When comparing his music to the current music scene, 2Baba stated that he cannot categorize music under one genre, and he is happy to see African music, particularly Nigerian music, gaining global recognition and financial rewards.

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The growth of the Nigerian music industry has been rapid, with many musicians benefiting financially, and 2Baba is enthusiastic about the progress, though he acknowledges that debates about who is the greatest or most gifted Nigerian singer are subjective and based on personal preferences.

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2Baba expressed his joy and pride in seeing Nigerian musicians become world superstars, which was a dream he had been hoping for and working towards, and he is grateful to have witnessed it in his lifetime.

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One of 2Baba's regrets after 25 years in the music industry is not being more business-savvy, but he does not regret being himself and values peaceful co-existence, which drives him.

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2Baba advised young artists to be focused, view music as a profession, and understand contracts before signing them, as this is crucial for their success in the industry.

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For 2Baba, the next level involves creating more good music, taking his time to study situations, and he is committed to producing more quality tracks.

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2Baba also revealed that he is already involved in politics, desiring good governance in the country, and although he is unsure about contesting for an elective position in the coming elections, he is open to the possibility.

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Ultimately, being in the spotlight has brought 2Baba many opportunities, but it has also come at the cost of his privacy, as every aspect of his life is scrutinized and becomes a subject of public interest, which he has learned to accept as part of his fame.