Rose Idibia, mother of legendary Afrobeats music star Innocent Idibia, well known as 2Baba, has revealed that the family initially wanted him to pursue a conventional profession before he chose music.
The retired teacher spoke in an interview with Vanguard after attending 2Baba’s 51st birthday dinner and album listening party at Balmoral Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Rose said 2Baba showed a strong interest in music from childhood, although the family did not know he would eventually become one of Nigeria’s notable musicians.
“There was a premonition that he might be a musician, but we didn’t know how great he was going to be. He had that passion for singing from childhood. As a child, he would be alone, beating anything he laid his hands on, making music out of it. We saw that trait, but we didn’t know that he was going to be this big,” she said.
According to her, the family initially prioritised his education and hoped he would become a lawyer, doctor or engineer.
She said, “Initially, we were concerned about his education. We wanted him to go to school, go to the university, maybe become a lawyer, a doctor, an engineer, or something like that. But when he chose a music path, our eyes were already opened. We saw potential in him that he might do better in music.”
Rose said her experience as a teacher also influenced her decision to support her son’s choice.
“As a teacher then, though retired now, we always encourage children to pursue their passion. If you don’t allow children to pursue their interest, you will kill the interest and they will not do well in the other field you are pushing them to pursue.”
She also defended 2Baba against reports she said were untrue, saying he had remained focused despite criticism.
“He has gone through a lot. Lies upon him — newspapers, social media, they come up with all sorts of rubbish. But I thank God because he’s somebody who knows what he wants. And he forged ahead and made it.”
Rose said her son’s major aim was to make a mark in music.
“He may not be super rich, but he made it in music. His major aim of being a musician is to make a mark, which he has done. Whether society takes it or not, he has made it in music. He’s a legend. As far as Nigeria is concerned, 2Baba is a legend.”
She also interpreted the title of his forthcoming album, The Oldest Young Man, as a reflection of his long career and his position as one of the early figures in the contemporary Nigerian music scene.Music & Audio
2Baba celebrated his 51st birthday on September 18 with the release of ‘Mental’, featuring singer Fave, and later hosted the dinner and album listening party in Lagos.