“Our sacrifices instrumental to Afrobeats’ rise”– 2Baba

In a recent interview with AFRIMMA, Nigerian music legend Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, affirmed his continued relevance in the music industry despite the rise of new Afrobeats artists.

The iconic singer, known for hits like “African Queen”, acknowledged the sacrifices he and his peers made to pave the way for the genre’s current success.

2Baba offered words of wisdom to young artists, encouraging them to embrace the journey and avoid excessive ambition. He cited Burna Boy as a shining example, highlighting how the award-winning artist built a loyal fan base by starting with small venue tours and gradually working his way up to larger audiences.

He said,

“Burna Boy sells out Madison Square Garden and they [other artistes] think they are on the same level. And that’s unrealistic.

“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. 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.”