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TU-BABA TURNS 10

It was Innocent Idibia a.k.a TUFACE’s 10th Birthday on Saturday, the 20th of June 2009. The man himself thrilled his guests to a two faced event at the THIS DAY DOME in Abuja with a Charity Concert for the launch of his Tuface Idibia REACH OUT FOUNDATION and a 10th ANNIVERSARY concert… hold up! You actually thought he was 10? Are you nuts??? Can’t you see how… capably matured he is?

Tuface had enough to be thankful for. He had 10 years of great, industry-changing hits like African Queen, Ole, For Instance and the likes either as a member of the then hit group PLANTASHUN BOYS or as a solo act which he became after breaking away in order to get into bed with the number one media couple Keke and D1 (Kennis Music). He had the collaborations he had done with international stars like R Kelly, Beenie man, Wyclef Jean and the rest to be thankful for. He also had the love of Nigeria and Nigerians, especially the females who wouldn’t let him stay out of the eye of the media. Over these past 10 years, Tu Baba has escaped the destroying power of negative publicity, series of robbery attacks and not to mention a foiled assassination attempt that if not for the SPECIAL grace of God, would have relieved him of his baby maker.

Tu Baba was not alone in his desire and quest for some appreciation as the best of Nigeria’s artistes turned out in their numbers to honor this Agbalagba at this crucial point in his life and career. Don’t worry… he is not dying. It’s just always go to be able to pat yourself on the back once in a while for a job well done. His children will ALL be so proud of him- the ones seen and unseen, born and yet to be born ought to thank the big Papa up there for giving them a dad like TUFACE. This little bird even heard it on good authority that he did not have to pay a single artist to perform. Isn’t that so… not Nigerian? He however hosted them in a top notch hotel and made sure that they were transported, fed and well taken care of… I guess a weekend of room service and relaxation won’t do much for lepas like 9ice and faze.

The show was poised to be the best of Tuface as he went all out to thrill all those in attendance with not only his music but a public one on one session which he had Darey art Alade conduct on him. Not only was it a time for the mega star to launch his REACH OUT FOUNDATION in a charity event that glittered with the whose who in not only the music circles but the political ones like Abike Dabiri who was looking smoking hot in her get up alongside the elegant wife of the Senate president… who said you have to look grumpy and ancient when you are gradually becoming a senior citizen?

Now I am not a bad guy… or woman… or whatever. I believe in speaking things as they are and on that note... I wonder (head scratch) why didn’t the really big boys attend this here ceremony? I mean, Tuface and his charms were sure to attract the big ladies but what of the brothers? I mean, D’banj’s album launch alone, brought together Obas, present and past governors, Directors of government organizations like the NCC for instance and the works; what went wrong with Tuface? Did his management not do their homework properly? Granted, D’banj had Lagos on the lock down but I can bet my bottom dollar that if and when he does go to Abuja, he will find a way to have the entire house of senate close their session early just to have front row seats. Where were the Abuja Big boys at Tuface’s event? Hm… I wonder (sipping on coffee). Could it be possible that with all the controversy and bad press surrounding Tuface and his love for the kids, not to mention the maturity and PG30 lyrical contents of his songs that ensued after his freedom from Daddy and Mummy- Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo D1? Guys, this is not funny. I am really concerned here. What are they trying to say? That Tuface only appeals to the female demographic of Nigeria? TUFACE IS NOT A GIGALO… HE DOESN’T COLLECT MONEY! Where was the Senate President? Where were the Alhajis and Senators? I mean, Tuface has done enough to make Nigeria proud. He has brought home awards, introduced our kind of music to the world, he uses his personal resources to repopulate Nigeria... I mean, what more can you ask from a loyal, patriotic citizen? We all need to march to ASO ROCK and petition all these big boys o!

Back to the show! Okay… I am a complete suits’ buff. I love suits. When I get married, my husband is definitely going to bathe and go to bed in suits. Suits work wonders. It does something for and to men… it brings out that sophistication and professionalism in them and helps create the illusion of it for those who don’t have an ounce of it. For the launch of his foundation, one of the many outfits Tu Baba strutted around was a shimmering grey suit and I kinda liked it… now I say kinda subjectively because I like seeing men fill out suits. In the words of Diana Ross, ‘I want Muscles’. Tu Baba was… well… he was no Johnny Depp but all in all he looked really regal when he didn’t make the mistake of opening his mouth to say ‘Na So, Na So… NOTIN DEY HAPPEN’… then, all that glitter just went down the drain.

I do have to commend his costumier for the day. The audience got to see the celebrity side of Tuface through his outfits. Really, Tuface has been known to have this ridiculous simplicity he takes from his everyday life and imposes on his celebrity status… even though 9ice has robbed him of that award. Dint get me wrong, that look always worked for Tu Baba but that night, we saw that the dude had been unnecessarily modest with all of us. His chose of outfits were fashionable and colorful and they matched the songs he rendered. I particularly love the Benue get up. He definitely had the right costumier that paid close attention to everything he was to do and perform that day. I am sooooo glad he or she was not the same person that clothes KC Phresh! Phew… all that colour would have blinded the senior citizens.

MI (My hubby that doesn’t know it yet) got a standing ovation as always with his out of this world voice, music and performance. Isn’t he dreamy? (battering eyelids) He got on stage looking very Kanye Westish. Now… um… (Head Scratch)Jude honey, I know you have your career to think about and all… and you… probably think that that Mo hawk on your head is the best thing for you right now but honey… seriously; I got one word for you… CLIPPERS! What were you thinking? They’d never notice??? It wouldn’t make you any taller love. (Sigh) Sweetie, we love you just the way you were, when you came out, semi bald, a big cute butt, short, dark, looking simple and soooooooo cute. The next thing we’ll see is that you’ll start wearing pumps for extra inches…DON’T YOU DARE!

OMAWUNMI came out with one of her usual short bustier dresses… like we were expecting anything different? I wasn’t… were you? Her duo with Tuface on one of his tracks which he originally did with an oyinbo woman was amusing… it really was but not A grade and her solo performance of her ‘In the Music’ song was also nice as always… nothing to blow you off your seats but something enough to keep you from falling asleep or walking out.

FAZE and BLACK FACE looked pretty much the same as always. Faze hadn’t gained anymore weight and Black face had still not tried any new and original toiletry for that bleaching effect that most people crave to see on him. Their brief reunion on stage was cute. It wasn’t expected and it looked like even though they came to support him and all, they were looking for ways to out sing and adlib him during their group songs done with a live band. Guys… give it a rest will ya?

9ICE… oh 9ice… (head shake) 9ice of course came out with his usual simple, haven’t bathed in a week look and his regular Snoop Dogg swagger that I particularly have grown to like on him… the swagger I mean. As always, he did his thing. Got through the song with no special stage craftsmanship but somehow left the crowd with a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Do you suppose it’s that jazzman-like thing he does with his hand that make people NOT boo him off stage whenever he just stands there and sings? (head scratch). I really would like to know that secret of his.

The real deal kicked off at the anniversary concert with the performances of artistes like 9ice, MI, D’banj… all of whom had standing ovations, the briefly re-united Plantashun boyz, Omawunmi and the likes. I mean, then we saw TUFACE and not Innocent Idibia scatter. Really, I have never been as impressed with Tuface’s performance as I was on Saturday. I mean, he made the day his in every way. It was like he was all over the place. The dude was on fire. Kudos Tu! This is the side of you that I have been dreaming of all my life.

Now, you know I am your girl and I wouldn’t lie to you except there is an AK47 pointed in between my eyes or I was offered a body like one of those Bay watch babes… hm… (smiles) other than that, I would never, never, NEVER lie to y’all. Tu Baba has promised to bring all that energy to Lagos very, very soon and knowing how crazy we Lagosians are… I can’t wait for the good people of Lagos to get to meet the older Tuface because like fine wine, he has aged beautifully. Flytyme is currently organizing ‘AN EVENING WITH TUFACE’ here in Lagos. I guess he really impressed more people than I thought and more importantly… the right people.

So all the player haters that believe that Tuface has lost his spark or midas touch because of the new younger folks, you couldn’t be any more wrong. In spite of all the ovations that his guest artists received, none were bigger than Tu Baba’s and we were not patronizing him. He broke a leg… figuratively speaking of course. So stay tuned as the Nigeria’s finest re-enters Lagos with the new and improved him. Trust your girl to keep you posted. So keep those comments and questions coming on graye@goodlife.com.ng catch ya on line. Till then… toodles.

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