"If I Had Not Known Better I Would Have Said 2face Idibia is Not From This World" Another Review of The Ascension Album

 

           2face idibia Nigerians finest and arguably the number artiste in African urban contemporary music has dropped his 6th solo studio album titled 'The Ascension'. 

             'The Ascension' which happens to be a power packed 17 tracks

flawless album is obviously the best piece of art from the maestro himself 2face idibia. Without any doubt the most accomplished artiste of his generation, 2face puts up this 17 track album in a very different way and manner,2face who over the years is known for his strong and deluxe delivery in contemporary R&B,Hip-Hop,Reggae and Afro-beats, this time he decides to give the world another feel of him,who knows maybe that's the reason for his choice of change of stage name from '2face idibia' to '2baba'. 2baba was simply 'UNSTOPABLE' and undeniably 'AWAY&BEYOND' in the delivery of this album (The Ascension). Hearing 2face doing Reggae dancehall,pure and more professional R&B,Afro-Pop and more was fun to me. After listening to this album 'The Ascension' over 250 times since it premier on 21st july 2014 and carefully scrutinized every track on it here is my take on the album.

'GO' ft Machel Montano 
Produced by: precision production & advokit productions
Mixed and Mastered by: precision production & advokit productions
Genre: Afro-Pop 

This song is undeniably one track a true nigerian blood will like,danceable,groovy and all,a good starter for the album. If you listen closely you'll find out 'GO' wasn't made for nigerian or African consumption,the track was made for the global stage. Take a look at the duo '2face idibia' 'Machel Montano' both legendary are acts in their prime, I don't expect anything less,'GO' a track that fits into every mood,although on the lyrics I agre most die hard fan or listeners of 2face's songs might not be okay with the content. But in all 'GO' is actually a lovely song. 

#Aproko:
Produced by:Leriq
Mixed and Mastered by:Leriq and Willie O 
Genre:Afro-Pop 

A dynamic song,lovely production,powerful delivery,lyrically fortified. Aproko, this was 2face doing his thing but in a very different way. If you listen to tracks like Keep on pushing, Steady Steady, Free, In your eyes, you'll find out there is nothing different, it was him (2face) passing a strong message but in a more jovial way rather than consciously spirit minded 2face. Let's say #Aproko was from 2baba and not 2face...LOL... In all #Aproko, a lovely song and obviously one of the best on the album. 

Holiday:
Produced by:Femi femdouble 'ojutunde&olubumi "GSOL" afolabi
Mixed and Mastered by: Fem-double and Willie O
Genre:Afro-Pop 

This track was more of a jolly ride for 2face, expressing himself again yet in a unique way and just grooving along to the rhythm of the beat,obviously the production for 'HOLIDAY'is one of the best on the album, very mature and more professional from a midas touch... Good song,lovely delivery on the lyrics,amazing energy from 2face. Kudos 2baba. 

Can't hear you ft Vector:
Produced by:Femi femdouble 'ojutunde&olubumi "GSOL" afolabi
Mixed and Mastered by: Fem double and Willie O 
Genre: Hip-Hop

Yet another masterpiece from the mastermind and of course witha great talent(Vector)on the track gave the song a more powerful combo effect,never a dull moment with the duo,both parties are always like a cocktail consisting of a spirit and a liqueur. I can't afford not to give special credits to the production team,nice one team. 

The best I can be ft iceberg slim & Rocksteady:
Produced by:Jay Sleek
Mixed and Mastered by: Willie O
Genre: R&B

This song no doubt is one of the best that has come out of the nigerian music scene in many years. Indent lyrics,another diversified track from the legend himself 2face,touching many phase of life. Lovely beat attack from Rocksteady on the first 4bars,and of course Iceberg slim was a blessing to the track,words can't just say how he awesome he was,nice job iceberg slim, I won't want to opt out that at some point in the song 2face got carried away and didn't mind his dictions anymore. In all the best I can say is 'The best I can be' is one track of 2face that will stand the taste of time,to me its an evergreen track. 

Let somebody love you ft bridget kelly 
Produced by: Femi femdouble 'ojutunde&olubumi "GSOL" afolabi
Mixed and mastered by: Fem double and Willie OGenre: R&B 

No doubt on the credibility and recognition this track has received locally and internationally since it premier as the first single off 'The Ascension' album... Breathe taking production,killing lyrics, straight from the heart of both acts...no doubt, a bad sharp track from a bad sharp guy,less I forget God bless the Fem Double and Willie O on the lovely delivery of a midas production touch. Another evergreen song off 'The Ascension' album. 

Kiss of life 
Produced by:Femi femdouble 'ojutunde&olubumi "GSOL" afolabi
Mixed and Mastered by; Fem Double and Willie O Genre: Afro-Pop 

This for me is the best on the album and of course my favorite,from the day I heard this song till date,am still yet to comprehend the source of 2face idibia's inspiration. Kiss of life is no doubt one track that would have chased out john legends 'All of me' from of the charts if it was dropped under a more opportune platform like the 'def jamz' 'Sony music' and the likes...this song is far beyond evergreen,if anyone knows any word to use in qualifying this track please do. Nice job 2baba. 

Hate what you do to me
Produced by:Femi femdouble 'ojutunde&olubumi "GSOL" afolabi
Mixed and Mastered by: Fem double and Willie O
Genre: Afro-Pop

This track for sure is a little too mature for an average music listener,not many will get the message clearly. Friendly lyrics for me,the track also creates a very comfortable atmosphere and body chemistry when you listen to it,makes you wanna experience love and if possible get heartbroken just to get the right feel of the song,Although for a normal 2face he was a bit too lazy on the beat,he felt too relaxed,didn't give the song the hearty 2face idibia feel,the song lacked the normal 2face idibia vocal dexterity,obviously one of the best on the album. 

Confession ft Rocksteady and Dammy Krane
Produced by:leriq
Mixed and Mastered by:leriq and Willie O
Genre:Afro-Pop

This is a crazy song,lovely production to our very own fats rising producer 'Leriq',kudos on this one,lovely concept on the track,but 2face again was too weak on the beat,he lacked the 2face vibes,that ruggedly nice sonorous voice of his,to me it was 2face grooving to the killer beat...alright my very own confession time,for the first time am a bit impressed with dammy krane I can see hypertek is telling on him now,nice try dammy, of course Rocksteady never a dull moment with him,loved the way he rocked the beat and flowed along stylishly with the rhythm of th song,it was a cordial relationship between Rocksteady and the song,with this am looking forward for a single from Rocksteady to be produced by Leriq. Hypertek digital please take note. 

Close to where you are
Produced by:Femi femdouble 'ojutunde&olubumi "GSOL" afolabi
Mixed and Mastered by: Fem double and Willie O
Genre:Afro-Pop 

This track feels a little different from our normal 2face,yet another hit track off 'The Ascension' album for the international market,am sorry but an average nigerian music listener will not see the prospect in this track. Lovely song but he should have put more effort on his diction,the style and pattern was superb. 

International loving ft Kim Almarcha
Produced by:Fabio lancel A.K.A Fabio litto & Frank kodjo kpanku
Mixed and Mastered by:
Genre:Afro-Pop

Simple song,great message,lovely beat. Both acts grooved and merry along hitherto and obviously it was a good shot. 

Boulay Boulay ft Shurwayne
Produced by:Alton berti
Mixed and Mastered by:Alton berti 
Genre: Afro-Pop

Woo!!! If not for the use of our local language (pidgin) in this song I will argue it was not 2face on this track....OMG!!! Where did that wyclef spirit come from...great song and of course a very lovely and comforting feeling you get when you listen attentively,and of course the production was mouthful.

Diaspora woman ft Fally Ipupa 
Produced by:Micheal 'deazy' badibangi
Mixed and Mastered by:Micheal 'deazy' badibangi
Genre:Afro-Pop 

If I had not known any better I would say 2face is not from this world...' Diaspora woman' one of the best on the album and of course one track an average nigerian music lover will want to relate with because of its dance able feel,Fally on the Song was great... In all it was a real cool song. 

Jeje
Produced by:Bolji Beatz
Mixed and Mastered by:Willie O
Genre:Afrobeat/Pop 

No be small thing o! This song is 2face no doubt on place where his strength lies 'Afrobeat',one of my favorite on the album,great chemistry between him and the production team,am not surprised its an in house thing,they all go way back. He passed his message neatly and nicely,and perfectly related with the beat. 

Lesse passe ft Sir victor uwaifo 
Produced by:Rolly 
Mixed and Mastered by:Willie O
Genre:Afro-Pop

Another breathe taking track off 'The Ascension' album,2face in another brand new look,great Afropop,the combo with sir uwaifo was needed,sir uwaifo was a blessing to the song,he gace his guitar boy feel. In all it was a great song and another evergreen hit from 2face. 

Ife din ma ft Tony One Week
Produced by:Masterkraft
Mixed and Mastered by:Masterkraft
Genre:Afropop

Great song to merry with,it was needed on the album, 2face/tony one week nice job. 

Not a surprise
Produced by:Dnyce
Mixed and Mastered by:Willie O
Genre: Reggae Dancehall 

Indeed it was not a surprise for me hearing 2face killing a reggae dancehall beat,one of my best on the album,great message,it was really needed in this time of disturbing insurgency in the country. A great song with an awesome prospect. 

In all you can say 'The Ascension' is actually the transcending of the living legend '2face idibia' from the local scene to the world music market. The tracks in the album speaks its all. Classic production,more friendly lyrics and loads of groovy tunes. Listening to 'The Ascension' by legendary 2face idibia felt more like listening to 'james brown' 'kenny rogers' and the likes, it was worthwhile I must say. Good job MR INNOCENT UJAH IDIBIA (2baba). 

By 
Darlynton Mayor.