Young And Inspiring

By Olusola Olaosebikan

Even before releasing Face II Face, his debut album, Innocent Idibia, aka Tuface, had shown signs of greatness. From childhood, the Idoma-born crooner loved singing. But then, his real break into the industry came only in the early 1990s, when he teamed up with Faze and Black Face to form the Plantashun Boiz. In their major hit album, Plantashun Boiz, Tuface revealed his intention to rule the world.

Produced by Nelson Brown, the hit album could easily pass off for Tuface’s solo effort.

Yet, it was when Tuface released Face II Face that the breakthrough occurred. Apart from making the entertainer famous, the album also brought world concerts his way, the highpoint of which was the winning of the maiden edition of the MTV European Music Award for Best African Artiste of 2005.

Still, the MTV award was just a hint of recognition of his enormous talents. Earlier that year, he grabbed the Channel O Award for Best R&B song. Besides, he walked away with City People Musician of the Year award, as well as the National Encomium Musician of the Year award.

The same year, Tuface was nominated alongside Femi Kuti for the Mobo Award held in London.

Without a doubt, the Pop star has become the face of Nigerian music and youth culture. In 2005 alone, Tuface’s genius was recognised with many endorsement deals, chief among which was the contract with Guinness Nigeria plc for the promotion of Guinness Extra Smooth. The deal, which was speculated to be worth N20million, had the crooner’s face on billboards and commercials.

Yet, several years after, Tuface went on to release another smash hit. Titled Grass II Grace, the album has remained a masterpiece for club disc jockeys and radio presenters. Beyond that, his song was featured as a sound track in Phat Girlz, an American movie. One of Tuface’s many concerts is the MTN Extra Cool concert around Nigeria, reported to be worth millions of naira. He has also been privileged to share international concert dates and an opportunity of a duet with Robert Kelly, famous Afro-American R&B star. “I just recorded a song with R. Kelly. I also did something recently with Chakedemus and Pliers,” he enthused.

Prior to that time, he had recorded songs with megasters like Wyclef Jean, Beenieman and Reggie Rockstone. For him, the good times are indeed here. But Tuface wants to give back to the community. Already, he has launched his own record company. Christened Hypertek Entertainment, the facility is meant to assist young, talented Nigerians who intend to sing. “That’s the only way to keep the industry relevant,” he said

Besides keeping the music industry relevant, Tuface is also reportedly attempting to float a grassroots football club in Festac Town, his residence. This, he claims, will help keep the youth away from vices. Born Innocent Idibia in Benue State, Tuface began singing as a child. While at the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, in Enugu, he joined Black Face and Faze to form Plantashun Boiz, a rhythm and blues group.