The Ascension (2face Idibia album)

The Ascension is the sixth studio album by Nigerian singer 2face Idibia. It was released on July 21, 2014, by Hypertek Digital and 960 Music Group. The album is the follow-up to his fifth studio album, Away and Beyond (2012).[2] It features guest appearances from Machel Montano, Vector, Bridget Kelly, Rocksteady, Dammy Krane, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Iceberg Slim, Kim Almarcha, Shurwayne Winchester and Fally Ipupa.[3] 2face enlisted Leriq, Alton Berti, Bolji Beats, Dezay, Dnyce, Fabio Litto, Femdouble, GSol the Producer, Jay Sleek, Kodjo, Masterkraft and Rolly to produce the album. The Ascension debuted at number 12 on the Billboard World Albums chart and received generally mixed reviews from music critics. By having an album debut on the aforementioned chart, 2face became the first Nigerian artist to achieve this feat.[4][5] The album produced three singles, two of which were released in the months leading up to the album's release. To promote the album, 960 Music Group placed outdoor billboards across 10 densely populated areas of Lagos.[6]

The Ascension
Studio album by 2face Idibia
Released	July 21, 2014 (2014-07-21)[1]
Recorded	2013-2014
Genre	Afropop R&B soca zouk highlife
Length	65:00
Label	Hypertek Digital 960 Music Group
Producer	Efe Omorogbe (exec.) Eric Idiahi (exec.) Mark Redguard (co exec.) Leriq Alton Berti Bolji Beats Dezay Dnyce Fabio Litto Femdouble GSol the Producer Jay Sleek Kodjo Masterkraft Rolly
2face Idibia chronology
Away and Beyond (2012) The Ascension (2014)
Singles from The Ascension
"Ife Dinma" Released: November 6, 2013 "Let Somebody Love You" Released: May 26, 2014 "Go" Released: June 26, 2014 "Diaspora Woman" Released: October 23, 2014

Background and launch

2face began recording the album in 2013. In a press release, 960 Music Group said the album would be released on July 21, 2014. The Ascension was eventually released in two versions: economy and premium. The premium version includes a 16-page insert and is available exclusively at Konga.com, while the economy (or digital) version is available for digital download on Spinlet, iTunes and Spotify. The album's cover art was conceptualized and designed by Janne Kukka and Mole "Tobbie" Balogun.[7]

On July 9, 2014, 2face released a 30-second clip of all the songs on the album.[8][9] On July 19, he held the album's launch party at Escape in Victoria Island, Lagos. Guests in attendance included Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Niyola, Sasha P, Fade Ogunro, BOJ, Dammy Krane, Tola Odunsi, Ono Bello, Ehiz, Pucado, Jermaine Jackson, Peter Okoye, Onos O and Ruby. MTV Base, in conjunction with Industry Nite, hosted another launch party on July 23, 2014.[10]

Composition

The album's music is predominantly R&B and Afropop, but incorporates elements of soca, zouk and highlife. The Ascension consists of songs whose tempo is naturally fast or slow. 2face dedicated the electro house record "#Aproko" to social media critics. In "Jeje", he samples African China's "Mr. President" and pays homage to afrobeat of the 70s. The songs "International Loving" and "Diaspora Woman" have elements of zouk. Soca's rhythms are evident on "Boulay Boulay" and "Go". The slow tempo ballad "Hate What You Do To Me" has a sensitive theme. "Kiss of Life" is also a slow tempo ballad with soft lyrics.[11][12]

Singles

The Masterkraft-produced track "Ife Dinma" was released on November 6, 2013, as the album's lead single. It was initially released as a Tony Oneweek single, but surprisingly made the album. The accompanying music video for "Ife Dinma" was directed by Clarence Peters.[13]

The album's second single "Let Somebody Love You" was released on May 26, 2014. The song was produced by Femi Femdouble and features vocals by Bridget Kelly. Its music video was shot and directed in Lagos by Luke Biggins.[14] In April 2014, 2face and Bridget Kelly performed the song during Star Music Trek's visit to Markudi.[15]

The album's third single "Go" was released on June 26, 2014. It features guest vocals by Trinidadian soca singer Machel Montano. In June 2014, both artists performed the song at the 18th annual St. Kitts Music Festival.[16] The music video for "Go" was released by 960 Music on December 5, 2014, and features cameo appearances from Seyi Shay and Niyola.[17]

The album's fourth single "Diaspora Woman" was released on October 23, 2014. Its music video was filmed in Dallas by Moe Musa. Ghanaian actress Juliet Ibrahim played 2face's love interest in the video.[18]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Nigerian Entertainment Today

The Ascension received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Chiagoziem Onyekwena of Nigeria Entertainment Today awarded the album 3 stars out 5, stating, "I know 2face set out to make a forward or upward moving album on The Ascension but what he really has done is move sideways, at best. That isn't bad in itself, just not the genre-bending, boundary-crossing, revolutionary album it had the potential to be."[11] Brandon Bridges of Lobatan commended the album's songwriting, diverse sounds, instrumentation, and energetic appeal.[12]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Go" (featuring Machel Montano)	Innocent Idibia Machel Montano		3:31
2.	"#Aproko"	Idibia		3:25
3.	"Holiday"	Idibia	GSol the Producer	3:56
4.	"Cant Hear You" (featuring Vector)	Idibia Olanrewaju Ogunmefun	GSol the Producer	3:43
5.	"The Best I Can Be" (featuring Iceberg Slim and Rocksteady)	Idibia Iceberg Slim Rocksteady	Jay Sleek	5:28
6.	"Let Somebody Love You" (featuring Bridget Kelly)	Idibia Bridget Kelly	Femdouble GSol the Producer	4:11
7.	"Kiss Of Life"	Idibia	Femdouble GSol the Producer	3:45
8.	"Hate What You Do To Me"	Idibia	GSol the Producer	3:54
9.	"Confessions" (featuring Rocksteady and Dammy Krane)	Idibia Rocksteady Oyindamola Emmanuel		4:33
10.	"Close To Where You Are"	Idibia	GSol the Producer	3:41
11.	"International Loving" (featuring Kim Almarcha)	Idibia Kim Almarcha		4:02
12.	"Boulay Boulay" (featuring Shurwayne Winchester)	Idibia Shurwayne Winchester		3:13
13.	"Diaspora Woman" (featuring Fally Ipupa)	Idibia Fally Ipupa		2:23
14.	"Jeje"	Idibia		4:15
15.	"Lesse Passe" (featuring Sir Victor Uwaifo)	Idibia Sir Victor Uwaifo		3:58
16.	"Ife Dinma" (with Tony Oneweek)	Idibia Tony Oneweek	Masterkraft	4:46
17.	"Not A Surprise"	Idibia		2:40
Total length:				65:00

Sampling credits

• "Jeje" samples African China's "Mr. President"

Personnel

Credits adapted from linear notes of The Ascension.

• Innocent Idibia – primary artist, writer, performer
• Efe Omorogbe – A&R, executive producer
• Eric Idiahi – executive producer
• Mark Redguard – co-executive producer
• Machel Montano – featured artist, writer
• Olanrewaju Ogunmefun – featured artist, writer
• Bridget Kelly – featured artist, writer
• Rocksteady – featured artist, writer
• Oyindamola Emmanuel – featured artist, writer
• Sir Victor Uwaifo – featured artist, writer
• Iceberg Slim – featured artist, writer
• Kim Almarcha – featured artist, writer
• Shurwayne Winchester – featured artist, writer
• Fally Ipupa – featured artist, writer
• Femi "Femidouble" Ojetunde – producer, engineer
• Olubunmi "GSol the Producer" Afolabi – producer, engineer
• Precision Productions and Advokit Productions – producer, engineer
• Leriq – producer, engineer
• Jay Sleek – producer
• Masterkraft – producer
• Rolly – producer
• Bolaji "Bolji Beats" Salabiu – producer, engineer
• Dnyce – producer, engineer
• Alton Berti – producer, engineer
• Fabio Lancel – producer
• Franck "Kodjo" Kpanku – producer
• Michael "Dezay" Badibanji – producer
• Fooster Zeno – engineer
• Willie "O" Oputa Chukwuemeka – engineer, production coordination
• Jeremie Tuil – engineer
• Pieter Wagner – engineer
• Janne Kukka – cover art
• TCD Photography – photography
• Rhiemen Phenom Omorogbe – production coordination
• Francis J Ogbole – production coordination
• Bayo Omisore – production coordination
• 960 Music Group – PR Support
• Buzz Warehaus – PR Support
• Felicia Alston – PR Support
• Now Muzik Entertainment – management
• Obaino Music – distribution
• YSG Hubs – distribution
• Konga.com – distribution
• Spinlet – distribution

Charts

Chart (2014)	Peak position
Billboard (World Albums chart)	12

Release history

Region	Date	Version	Format	Label
Various	July 21, 2014	Standard	CD digital download	Hypertek Digital 960 Music Group

References

1. "Nigeria: At Last, 2Face Releases the Ascension". allAfrica via The Daily Independent. 25 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
2. Oyedeji, Abiola (6 July 2014). "2face ready to 'Go' with 'Ascension' album". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
3. "The Ascension by 2face Idibia". itunes.apple.com. iTunes. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
4. "2Face Idibia's album "The Ascension" makes it into The Billboard Top Selling Albums List!". Bongo 2 Day. 1 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
5. Akan, Joey (31 July 2014). "2face Idibia's 'The Ascension' Album Is Currently The 12th Top Selling Album In The World". Pulse. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
6. Okuyeme, Tony (18 July 2014). "960 Music Group set to release 2Face Idibia's The Ascension". New Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
7. Nwanne, Chuks (19 July 2014). "Tuface Idibia's The Ascension Gets Release Date". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
8. "2Face Idibia releases Snippet from "The Ascension" 17-Track Album – Listen Now!". Bellanaija. 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
9. "2Face Idibia releases Snippet from "The Ascension" 17-Track Album". Ghana Web. 10 July 2014. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
10. "Nigerians Relish 2face's the Ascension". allAfrica via The Daily Independent. 31 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
11. Onyekwena, Chiagoziem (30 July 2014). "2face's 'The Ascension' isn't bad, just not boundary-crossing [Album Review]". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
12. Bridges, Brandon (24 July 2014). "The 4 undeniable truths about 2Face's "Ascension": Album Review". Lobatan. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
13. "New Video: 2Face Idibia Feat. Tony Oneweek – Ife Di Nma". Bellanaija. 7 November 2013. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
14. Klein, Alyssa (23 June 2014). "2face Idibia & Bridget Kelly's 'Let Somebody Love You' Video". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
15. Alonge, Osagie (13 April 2014). "Jay Z's protégé Bridget Kelly in Nigeria, records with 2face Idibia". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
16. "2Face Performs "GO" live at St. Kitts Music Festival". The Nigerian Tribune. 3 August 2014. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
17. "VIDEO PREMIERE: 2Face Idibia – GO Ft. Machel Montano". 360nobs. 5 December 2015. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
18. Ade-Unuigbe, Desola (23 October 2014). "New Video: 2face Idibia feat. Fally Ipupa – Diaspora Woman". Bellanaija. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2015.