By BABAJIDE AWOYINFA

Veteran musician, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has penned an emotional open letter to celebrate his 25 years in the music industry, expressing deep gratitude to those who have contributed to his journey.

In the heartfelt message titled, ?Open Letter of Gratitude ? 2Baba @ 25 Years in the Industry,? the award-winning artiste reflected on his career and the people who shaped his success story.

He said his journey in music had been filled with gratitude, memories, lessons, and love.

According to him, he owes his success to everyone who believed in him even when he did not fully understand where destiny was leading.

?As I stand on the threshold of 25 years in this incredible journey called music, my heart is full of gratitude, memories, lessons, and love.

?This celebration is not mine alone. It belongs to everyone who played a role in shaping the story of Innocent Idibia, 2Baba,? he wrote.

In the open letter, 2Baba acknowledged individuals who played pivotal roles in his early days, including Nelson Brown, Baba Keke (Kenny Ogungbe), D1 (Dayo Adeneye), Eddie Lawani, and DJ Jimmy Jatt.

He credited Brown for discovering and believing in Plantashun Boiz, the group that launched his career alongside Faze and Blackface.

?You were the first to see light in the dream of three young men when no one else believed.

?You gave us a voice when we barely had a microphone, a space when all we had was a dream,? he said.

He also expressed appreciation to industry veterans Baba Keke and D1, describing them as mentors who gave him his first professional deal.

A move, he said, changed not only his life, but also the entire entertainment landscape.

?You opened doors that led us from dreams to destiny, we made history together; we won together.

?You stood as mentors and big brothers, and your names will forever be etched in my story,? he said.

Similarly, 2Baba thanked Lawani for providing a platform for Plantashun Boiz to showcase their talent at a time when opportunities were limited.

He noted that Lawani?s faith in their craft remained unwavering through the years.

He further praised legendary disc jockey, DJ Jimmy Jatt, for showing him love and loyalty from the onset of his career.

The singer, who is regarded as one of Africa?s most influential and decorated music icons, said the anniversary is not just a personal milestone but also a celebration of everyone who had contributed to the growth of Nigerian music.

?Without the people who believed, corrected, and supported me, my story would have been incomplete.?

2Baba, who began his professional journey in the late 1990s as part of Plantashun Boiz, has since become one of the continent?s most celebrated musicians.

With classic hits such as ?African Queen?, ?If Love Is a Crime?, and ?For Instance?.

The multiple award-winning artiste has consistently used his platform to promote unity, love, and social change through his music and humanitarian initiatives. (NAN)

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