Legendary Nigerian singer Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has asserted his continued relevance in the music industry despite the dominance of the new wave of Afrobeats artists.
The “African Queen” hitmaker emphasized that the sacrifices made by him and his contemporaries were instrumental in propelling Afrobeats to its current prominence.
In a recent interview with AFRIMMA, 2Baba shared insights on his journey and offered advice to young artists. He urged them to trust the process rather than succumb to overambition.
He highlighted Burna Boy as an example, pointing out that Burna Boy built his success through gradual progression.
“Burna Boy sells out Madison Square Garden and they [other artistes] think they are on the same level. And that’s unrealistic,” 2Baba explained. “He knows what he passed through before getting to the level he is, and you have to go through that process in full. Burna Boy didn’t just wake up and sell out Madison Square Garden, it’s a process that took a long time. He started by touring small venues and he built a huge followership from there. And you see the results now. It’s the same process.”
2Baba also reflected on his own contributions to the genre.
“We are part of the sacrificers; the instrumental process [laughs]. But that doesn’t take anything away from the fact that I am still very much relevant. I’m still here making good music.”
His words serve as a reminder of the foundational work laid by early Afrobeats pioneers and the importance of perseverance in the music industry.
