2face Idibia Shines in Barbados
When he arrived the Grantley Adam international airport around 1:35 pm local time on Wednesday September 12, he was met by the country’s reigning beauty queen Jewel Garner and a host of reporters and photographers who had been waiting for his arrival.
If you think that was planned, or a fluke, then the face2face concert, which he headlined on Saturday September 15 would convince every doubting Thomas that 2face Idibia enjoys a tremendous followership in the island regarded as the ‘gem of the Carribean’.
The concert, put together by Joice Ize Iyamu’s Rouge entertainment featured Idibia and Jamaican reggae star Taurrus Riley and the impact was like that of a hurricane sweeping through the tropical town
It is a known fact, often taken for granted, that Idibia enjoys an incredible following across francophone and Anglophone Africa. And many believe he’s the continent’s yet most iconic pop star. But it is pleasantly surprising, that his fame is spreading across the Caribbean (he has also performed in Seychelles ), where the Nigerian community is minor. ‘It was a good experience for me, performing for the people’, he tells us a few minutes after hitting the stage at Tims on Da Hiway, venue of the Barbados concert. ‘I would never have imagined they’ll know or like my music here. These are people who appreciate good music, and it humbles me ‘
A day before, he was on-air at Hott FM, where there was a scramble to speak with him, and when he hit town to shop, he was practically held hostage by autograph-seeking fans, most of whom had his songs (especially African queen and if love is a crime) as their ring tones. Young, half-naked girls formed long queues, waiting for autographs, some just content with catching a glimpse of him. Many asked that he sign on their clothes, and even bodies. And when the show got on, as he rolled through his repertoire and showed the fans love, the hall erupted into cries and wails, with thousands screaming and moaning, instead of singing along and dancing to his music.
Pure and total passion; what Barbadians showed to 2face; more than he could ever receive at home, and more than he could ever have anticipated. And, sensing the devotion, he pulled a stunt even his manager and entourage did not see coming: earlier in the day, while on a radio tour, he had read of two young men being sentenced for smoking marijuana. As he performed, he must have noticed most of the men in the crowd clutching their wraps. So he burst into a controversial chant, alleging that major world leaders favour and use the herb, but are just being hypocritical about it.
The hall went wild and for a moment, a thick cloud of smoke filled the air.
It was the singer’s first time in Barbados , but, according to Ize Iyamu, ’so much work went into making him big here. We started promoting his music here in March, working with radio deejays, and few months later, I discovered they could connect with his music because of the lyrics and the message. They completely bought his style and we sold out all the CDs we brought here. Before now, they used to think 2face was one reggae artiste with dreadlocks and unkempt beards. I guess they were also shocked when they saw that he was a good-looking, neat young man’.
‘It’s not every time you find an entire country loving your music’, says 2face. ‘Especially people who don’t understand Pidgin English or my Idoma language. It means they connect with the music spiritually. That’s very humbling for me’.
Idibia, who clocked 32 few days after his Barbados concert (on September 18), left the country on September 17, heading for the UK where he was crowned Best African act at the 12 th edition of the MOBO awards.
He is expected back in Lagos on October 2nd .
[Via This Day]
