Entertainment
ROSE IDIBIA REFLECTS ON 2BABA’S RISE, SAYS HIS MUSICAL TALENT SHOWED FROM CHILDHOOD
Music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, showed a strong interest in music from an early age, but his mother, Rose Idibia, says the famil...
By Patience
Rose, a retired teacher, shared her reflections during her son’s 51st birthday dinner and album listening party at the Balmoral Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, where she spoke about his childhood, the family’s initial expectations for his education and his eventual decision to pursue music.
HIS MUSICAL INTEREST STARTED EARLY
Rose recalled that there had been a premonition that her son might eventually become a musician, although the family did not know he would achieve such a level of success.
She said 2Baba displayed his passion for singing from childhood and would often beat objects around him and turn them into instruments for making music.
According to her, those early signs showed his natural inclination toward music, even though nobody could foresee the scale of his eventual career.
FAMILY FIRST WANTED HIM TO PURSUE EDUCATION
Rose said the family initially wanted 2Baba to concentrate on his education and attend university, with possible careers including law, medicine or engineering.
However, when he chose music, the family began to recognise that he had potential in the field.
Rose said her experience as a teacher also influenced her view that children should be encouraged to pursue their passions.
She explained that her own family had also discouraged her interest in secular music when she was growing up because of the cultural expectations placed on women at the time.
According to her, the emphasis was on obtaining an education before eventually getting married, meaning she never had the opportunity to pursue her own musical interest.
She said this is one reason she is particularly happy that one of her children was able to pursue music and succeed.
ROSE DEFENDS HER SON AGAINST PUBLIC CRITICISM
Speaking about the controversies surrounding 2Baba, Rose said she believes many of the things published or said about him have not been true.
She said knowing her son personally and understanding what he is capable of has helped her remain confident in him despite criticism.
Rose acknowledged that 2Baba has gone through difficult periods but said he continued to pursue his musical career and achieved his main objective of making a mark in the industry.
She described him as a legend in Nigeria and expressed gratitude that he has continued to move forward despite the challenges.
MOTHER PRAISES 2BABA’S MUSICAL ABILITY
Rose also spoke enthusiastically about her son’s talent, saying some of the ideas expressed through his music continue to impress her.
She pointed to the title of his forthcoming album, “The Oldest Young Man,” and offered her own interpretation of its meaning.
She said 2Baba was among the early figures in Afrobeats and had already established himself before the genre grew into its current form.
Rose suggested that the album title reflects the unusual position of an established musician who has been part of the genre from its earlier years but is now entering another phase of his career.
‘GOD HAS BEEN ON HIS SIDE’
Rose also attributed her son’s ability to withstand the challenges surrounding his public life to divine protection.
She said that despite the controversies and criticism he has faced, he has continued with his career.
For Rose, 2Baba’s journey from a child who instinctively made music with objects around him to an established Nigerian music figure represents the fulfilment of a passion that was visible from his earliest years.