Recency bias is an easy card to play when listeners consider an older era superior to a subsequent one. On occasion, it is a valid card.
Regarding production quality, artiste branding and music marketing, contemporary Nigerian music edges the offerings of yesteryear. However, for the best efforts of modern paragons, earlier Nigerian hopeless romantics and social commentators struck deeper chords. 2Baba(formerly known as 2Face Idibia) is a standout confluence of both rivers. He crafted a memorable postcard in 2006, better known as the Grass 2 Grace album.
Fresh off the Plantashun Boiz split, 2Baba took the world as his oyster. His 2004 debut album, Face 2 Face, was simply peerless. The music video of ‘African Queen’, the album’s evergreen lead single, was the first ever to play on MTV Base. The album also featured the beloved cuts, ‘Ole’, ‘Nfana Ibaga’, ‘U No Holy Pass’ and ‘Keep It Rocking’. As a capper on this blistering solo career start, 2Baba won the MTV EMA for Best African Act in 2005. With the passage of time, this feat understandably pales in comparison to the flurry of achievements by successive generations of Nigerian artists.
Essentially, Face 2 Face established 2Baba as a major force in Nigerian music. More was required, and he doubled down on his debut’s spark with Grass 2 Grace.
2Baba casually standing against graffiti-laden walls for his first two album covers may indicate a similar thematic approach for both albums. That is partly true. On Grass 2 Grace, 2Baba keys harder into his hopeless romantic element on ‘True Love’, ‘If Love Is A Crime’ and ‘My Love’. He also towed the path of social commentary with ‘4 Instance’. There is the quasi-philosophical, percussive wake-up call in ‘No Shaking’ and the hearkening to humanity in ‘See Me So’.
Like multiple Nigerian albums released the 2000s, Grass 2 Grace features skits. It is largely a solo affair, with Soul E and premier Ghanaian trio VIP serving as the guest appearances.
The album begins on a subversive note, with 2Baba adopting a comedian’s persona to rambunctiously arrest the listener’s attention. It is more surprising to take in in the present era than it would have been in 2006. The skit sets the laidback tone of the album, but not without a reference to Nigeria’s then president.
With ‘One Love’, the album truly begins. It is a slow-paced, reggae-infused track on which 2Baba highlights the importance of love and empathy in interpersonal relationships. He hinges this on the transience of life, such that human beings are better off leading with love while life subsists. He sings, ‘We’re all on death row‘/’Like we’re passing on a journey to wherever we go‘/’Why can we make that place heaven‘.
Percussions usher listeners into the head-bopping third track, ‘No Shaking’. It notably features the lines, ‘My guy na your eye you go sharpen‘/’Because e be like say e don dey happen‘/’No shaking, nothing dey happen‘/Nobody wan kpai, but dem wan go heaven‘. While 2Baba called the listener’s attention to love and empathy on ‘One Love’, he emphasizes individuality, courage and proactiveness on ‘No Shaking’ (‘I wake up in the morning, I look up in the rising sun‘/’There is no time to waste, there’s a lot of things that needs to be done‘). It is the ideal track for listeners seeking renewed drive with a vibe.
The fourth track, ‘I Dey Feel Like’, gives listeners the first glimpses of 2Baba the lover boy. He makes some interesting socio-cultural references to drive home the euphoric effect of his lover’s affection. He sings, ‘So I say, I dey feel like Obasanjo, eh‘/’Because you love (love me)’/’I dey feel like Tinubu, oh‘/’Because you care for me (care for me)‘. Ultimately, it is a one-note Afro-RnB number. Low on resonant lyrics, it paves the way for much better ballads.
With the album in full swing, 2Baba tows a fine line between individuality and empathy on ‘See Me So’. He delivers, ‘As you see me so, I no send you oh (I no send you oh)‘/’But that one no mean say I no dey wish you well oh‘. A person balancing indifference with the need to be seen as a brother because of shared human struggles appears paradoxical. Nonetheless, it reflects the truism that mutual respect and support can bloom without conventional fondness.
The album’s unmemorable middle skit impedes the enjoyment of the project. It adds nothing to the project, and should not have made the cut. Thankfully, 2Baba is able to muster some redemption on ‘E Be Like Say’. Here, he gives into cynicism flowing from what initially appears to be an uneasy romantic relationship. Having sensed a pattern of deceit and betrayal, he seeks to set the record straight. However, subsequent verses recontextualize the entire song as an indictment on politicians who fail to keep lofty promises. He sings, ‘I dedicate this one to all of the shady politicians‘/’Wey go promise and fail and make the people live in harsh conditions‘.
The album takes a familiar turn with ‘True Love’, ‘4 Instance’ and ‘If Love Is A Crime’ spinning consecutively. On ‘True Love’, enchanting instrumentals pull listeners into 2Baba’s earnest search for a genuine romantic connection after sabotaging one. He sings, ‘You see true love she used to live here before‘/’But I don mess up and threw her out the door oh oh oh oh‘. For the first time on the album, 2Baba is a vulnerable lover (‘Now loneliness is the order of my days‘/’Since she’s gone I feel like fading away e e e e)‘. The lyrics are fit for purpose and 2Baba’s delivery elevates the song to the upper echelon of Nigerian ballads.
Social commentary returns to the front burner on ‘4 Instance’. Here, 2Baba contends with what could possibly be if he were at the helm of political affairs. He confidently positions himself as one who would bring positive change (‘For instance’/’Say ẹ’mí ní Baálẹ̀ of Nigerians‘/’Shey I go dey respect your own stance‘/’Shey I go create the scenery for better to plenty‘). 2Baba relies on straightforward lyrics with easy-to-follow rhymes to deliver this manifesto.
As the album winds down, ‘If Love Is A Crime’ seeps into the ears with an instant nostalgic effect. 2Baba delves back into his lover boy Zen, fixated on a lady with high standards who has turned multiple men down. He is also ready to risk it all for her (‘Girl if love is a crime then I’m willing to be wanted‘/’If love is a crime I’m willing to be haunted). He is as down bad on this track as he was on ‘True Love’, but under different circumstances. The music video of this track captures this perfectly, with 2Baba nearly perishing in a trailer explosion while fixated on his object of affection. The track is lover boy gold, standing as one of the best written and most memorable tracks on the album.
The album penultimate song, ‘Ocho’, is almost entirely delivered in 2Baba’s local language. Gospel-themed, 2Baba offers praise to God and encourages listeners to confide in Him. Before the curtains fall on the album, 2Baba delivers another romantic cut, ‘My Love’, with a guest appearance by the Ghanaian group, VIP. The men literally pledge their loyalty to their object of affection, overwhelmed by the thrill of the experience. With one more skit, the experience draws to a close.
Ultimately, 2Baba approaches Grass 2 Grace with minimal pressure and nothing to lose. There is much to enjoy for those who loved Face 2 Face. Given that no lyric in the album reinforces the title by referencing 2Baba’s come-up, the title serves a meta purpose. 2Baba plays it safe with the lyrics, genres and themes, but the resonance covers up for this. 2Baba was already on the ascendancy, but Grace 2 Grace was a quantum leap nonetheless.
