• 2baba advised young artistes to trust the process rather than being overambitious.
• He urged them to take a clue from Burna Boy, highlighting that he started touring by selling out small venues and built a strong fan base before moving to arenas.

Legendary Nigerian singer Innocent Ujah Idibia, professionally known as 2Baba, has shared his thoughts on the current state of Afrobeats and his continued relevance in the music industry.

In a recent interview with AFRIMMA, he acknowledged the rise of new Afrobeats artistes while emphasizing the importance of his generation’s contributions to the genre’s growth.

2Baba highlighted the significance of his and his kind’ sacrifices in propelling Afrobeats to its current level of success.

He encouraged young artistes to trust the process and focus on building a strong foundation, rather than aiming for overnight success.

Using Burna Boy as an example, 2Baba noted that his journey to selling out iconic venues like Madison Square Garden was a gradual one, built on years of hard work and dedication.

He advised young artistes to learn from Burna Boy’s path and recognize the value of gradual growth and a loyal fan base.

2Baba 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.”