2Face Idibia, Nigeria's success story in the music industry, speaks with E-GIST on controversies concerning his marital life, music, and other issues

LOOKING back to that day you decided to sing, did you dream of getting this big in the industry?
Well, I hoped and prayed that I made it before I even started at all and God answered my prayers. But there is something I want my fans to know, I just got a quarter of what I prayed to God for. Seriously, I still have some aspirations, which I am yet to achieve.

When exactly did you decide it would be music and why?
1997. I decided to go into music because it was distracting my attention from any other thing I laid my hands upon.

What are the obstacles that you faced back then?
There was no money to go to the studio to record, even when there were songs already written. Despite all our efforts to be known then, we were not famous. Besides, our songs were not promoted as we wanted.

And right now, do you still face any obstacle?
Yeah. When I was not popular, I yearned for it so much but now, I can not do the things that I like to do. In fact, it pains me that I can not live my life the way I want to. Other people are those who tell me how to do things, they call it name Management.

Do you think its the same problem for today's musicians?
Yeah, except for those who were born with silver spoons though. How to get clothes, do rehearsals, get money to record were some of the problems we faced as poor up starters. Your songs are still there as obstacles for them to face.

With your success, who would you say has put innovation into his music?
Every musician in this country has put one thing or the other into music. If I start counting, we won't finish naming names till daybreak.

Apart from your music, who else do you listen to among Nigerian and foreign musicians?
I feel Sunny Ade, Fela, Chris Okotie, Onyeka Onwenu, Majek Fashek, Victor Uwaifo, Asa, Jay Z, etc. like mad.

Do you read papers, Nigerian papers especially?
Yeah, I read Nigerian paper a lot, and foreign ones whenever I travel abroad.

Which publication has been wrong about you?
A lot of them. For example, when the rumour of 10 children from 12 ladies was published, I felt bad, but later I asked people how that could be possible. 10 children from 12 ladies? (laughs).

How did you take the publication?
It is sad that some press guys still write without confirming their stories in this modern age.
It was once said you paid to perform in a show in Port Harcourt when you started out. Do you think

its the same with upcoming musicians abroad?
I've never paid to perform in any show but I've begged some organisers to put my name on jingles. I have also been bounced at events several times when I was struggling to make it in the industry.

How did it feel winning your first award, foreign and Nigerian?
I felt on top of the world.

Can you mention some of these awards?
They are numerous to mention, I can't even remember some until I see them.

When news about your marriage is reported, what pisses you most in the reports?
Honestly, it doesn't piss me off because nobody asked me me to become a musician. It happens to every popular person. But questions like; “you should get married now” gets me mad because whether I get married or I don't, wetin concern anybody now?

Who set your duet with Mary J. Blige up for you?
My friend's wife in New York, Magaret Byrne.

What would you remember about Blige?
She's an energetic performer. She's also very down to earth. She no dey form o.

How much were you paid for African Queen that was used as sound track in the American film titled “Fat Girlz”?
It was a mechanical royalty, it doesn't come once. How do I explain it? All I know is that till I die, I will collect royalty on it. Moreso, anytime it comes, I'll be paid in dollars.

Will you still work with Kennis now that you are back with NowMusic?
If there is any deal that will be good enough for me, I can still work with them. But it has to come through my managers.

What happens to Hypertech now?
It is my own company. It still exists and will be forever.



Do you still plan to go back to school?
Yeah, I will still go back to school now or later, but time will eventually tell.

What exactly went wrong with R. Kelly's duet?
I don't really have any comment on that, I have forgotten that.

Did you meet Kelly at all?
I said no comment on that.

Is it true you have six kids from three women?
I have said that before. You said 6, some people said 10 kids from 12 women. I don't have time for these rumours. Let them continue to say anything they like. Can 10 kids come from 12 women? (Laughs).It's been nice talking to you, I got to go somewhere.

is it true you have six kids from three women?
I have said that before. You said 6, some people said 10 kids from 12 women. I don't have time for these rumours. Let them continue to say anything they like. Can 10 kids come from 12 women? (Laughs).It's been nice talking to you, I got to go somewhere.

Illiterate. . .is dat d answer 2 d question asked?

philip0906:

Illiterate. . .is dat d answer 2 d question asked?

Obviously he didn't want to answer that, he is not pure

because he avoided a personal question , he is an illiterate? he is not pure? common mehn talk wiv some sense. The guy has his reasons for not answering that question, he clearly doesn't want his love life on the papers, and it really doesn't matter what he says cos we all have a perception of how many children he might have.

Na peop like dat him just dey talk about!

Abeg make the guy live him life joo! He's human too!

Did you just say- "UGLY LOOKIN ILLETRATE SKINNY BOY"??

I can't laugh abeg!! LOL!!!!!

2Baba can never go for a job interview!!!

Mr Cork:

2face Idibia: 'wetin Concern Anybody Whether I Marry Or I No Marry?'

CANT THIS UGLY LOOKIN ILLETRATE SKINNY BOY SPEAK ENGLISH OR CANT HE JUST HIRE AN INTERPRITAR!!!

You might want to mind your text a little bit before you ridicule someone else on the same grounds.
The irony is incredible.

wacky [img]http://s07.flagcounter.com/count/DymW/bg=ffffff/txt=ffffff/border=ffffff/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/[/img]

^^^wacky backy.

Mr Cork:

2face Idibia: 'wetin Concern Anybody Whether I Marry Or I No Marry?'

CANT THIS UGLY LOOKIN ILLETRATE SKINNY BOY SPEAK ENGLISH OR CANT HE JUST HIRE AN INTERPRITAR!!!

U don't criticise people of wat u kno of them, is better u leave them or u join them, so leave 2face alone; he is not familiar with correct english language.

Mr Cork:

Anytime i see this hungry looking skinny 2face on my 78inches Planma TV, I just want to slap his face thru the TV. Can somebody pliss tell the

edukated ilitrates to Quit sanging!! (no ofense)

Are you sure you are educated with this your written english with errors, pls go back to high school

rockers, Bro, it sound like u r relateds to them. did they buy u a TV with remote controls or what? (no ofense)

U CRITICS DATS WHY NIGERIAN FINDS IT DIFICULT TO MOVE 4WARD.

CANT U LEAVE DIS GUY ALONE LET HIM LIVE. SPEAKING GOOD ENGLISH OR NOT HE'S MAKING HIS MILLIONS.

HE DOES NOT STOP U NOT TO GO AND HAVE UR OWN BABIES, NO BE UNA HEADACHE.

U TOO TRY AND GET POPULAR, U CAN CHANGE HIS DESTINY. THINK OF HOW UR LIFE GO BETTER NO BE 2DEY ENVY PERSON. ARE CLOSE TO HIM because U PEOPLE ARE TOO CURIOUS ABOUT HIM.

MR CORK OR WETIN U CALL URSLF AND REST CRITICS. THE NEXT THN BE SAY MAKE UNA GO DIE IF your NOT HAPPY FOR HIS SUCCESS.

WATER GO ALWAYS FIND HIS PATH, 2FACE DON FIND HIS PATH
REMAINGS U GO GET LIFE, THEN COME AND TELL US WHAT U ACHIEVE

CYNICS.


ALL THE LADIES THAT BORE HIM CHILDREN U FIT SAY HELLO TO THEM TALKLESSS OF SAY U WAN SCOPE? U GO SHIVER NAAAAA.

AND THESE LADIES ARE VOLUBLE AND HIM FIT WOO THEM AND THEM THEM TRRRRRRRRRRRIP FOR THE FINEST BOY. GUY CHECK AM.

Mr Cork:

Mr Boring, Bro, 2face is a skinny hungry lookin Cave man who kannut sing. How the hell can he be a role models to childrens when he cannut

speak english? U tell me!!!

My Great gan mother sing better

go and exhume her make u and her compete naaaaaaaaa.

let the children make their choice, not everythn is bad about him.
he is good he is good
admit the truth. or ur girl dey trip for am?

u just vex like craze

Mr Borin, u must be relateds to him

Mr Cork:

2face is rubbish and we both no it. The only sentense he knows is: 'wetin Concern Anybody or nothin dey happen.

U can tell he waz born in a bush and not in a hospitul. (no ofense)

Mr Cork:

Mr Borin, u must be relateds to him

we both no nothing, is he accountable to anyone of u? tell me
no dey ask me dat questn if i know am.

this your criticism 2222 much. or the guy no dey gv u dough or tell us. if your God! agreed he has kids from 3women but let him beeeeeeeee.

2face need to QUIT singing, period!!!

he sings rubbish!

Mr Cork:

2face need to QUIT singing, period!!!

he sings rubbish!

no reason, nothn just sayn he quit.

eniba wo iseju (time) akan (crab) yio pe leti omi.

U SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE UR LIFE. 2BABA IS EVEN FAR BETTER THAN U.

U DEY TALK ENGLISH U URSLF U BE RUBBISH 4 ENGLISH. U CANT MAKE A GOOD SENTENCE. SEE URSLF BELOW. 2FACE LONG LIFE. SPEAK ANYTHING SPEAKABLE. THEM PAPA

Mr Cork:

Ok, he need to QUIT sing becoz he a publick national this grace who cant speak english!!

He cant even count upto ABC,

Mr Cork:

Ok, he need to QUIT sing becoz he a publick national this grace who cant speak english!!

He cant even count upto ABC,

2face is talented

@ Cork

Don't get insulted, but is your job devoted to spreading ignorance?