The Ascension (2face Idibia album)

The Ascension
Studio album by 2face Idibia
Released	July 21, 2014 (2014-07-21)[1]
Recorded	2013-2014
Genre	R&B afropop
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 G$Ol 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[2] "Let Somebody Love You" Released: May 26, 2014[3] "Go" Released: June 26, 2014[4] "Diaspora Woman" Released: October 23, 2014

The Ascension is the sixth studio album by Nigerian singer 2face Idibia, released on July 21, 2014 by Hypertek Digital and 960 Music Group. It is the follow up to his fifth studio album Away and Beyond (2012).^[5] The album features guest appearances from Machel Montano, Vector, Bridget Kelly, Rocksteady, Dammy Krane, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Iceberg Slim, Kim Almarcha, Shurwayne Winchester and Fally Ipupa.^[6] 2face enlisted Leriq, Alton Berti, Bolji Beats, Dezay, Dnyce, Fabio Litto, Femdouble, G$Ol, Jay Sleek, Kodjo, Masterkraft and Rolly to produce the album.

The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard World Album 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.^[7][8] The album produced three singles, two of which were released in the months leading up to the album release. To promote the album, 960 Music Group placed outdoor billboards across 10 densely populated areas of Lagos.^[9]

Background and composition

2face began recording the album in 2013. 960 Music Group said, in a press release, that the album would be released on July 21, 2014. The album was eventually released in two versions: economy and premium. The premium version of the album includes a Jewel case with 16-page insert, and is available exclusively at Konga.com. The economy (or digital version) of the album 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.^[10]

The music of The Ascension is predominantly R&B and afropop, with the exception of soca, zouk and highlife. The album consists of songs whose tempo is naturally fast or slow. 2face dedicated the electro house record, "#Aproko", to social media critics. On "Jeje", he samples African China's "Mr. President" and pays homage to afrobeat of the 70s. The songs "International Loving" (featuring Kim Almarcha) and "Diaspora Woman" (featuring Fally Ipupa) both have elements of zouk. Soca's rhythm is evident on the records "Boulay Boulay" and "Go", both of which features two prominent Trinidadian musicians. "Hate What You Do To Me" is a slow tempo ballad with a sensitive theme. "Kiss Of Life" is another slow tempo ballad with soft lyrics.^[11][12]

Snippet release and album launch

On July 9, 2014, 2face released a 30-second clip of all the songs on the album.^[13][14] On July 19, 2014, he held The Ascension album launch party at the 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. On July 23, 2014, MTV Base (in conjunction with Industry Nite) hosted an album launch party for 2face.^[15]

Singles

"Ife Dinma" was released as the album's lead single on November 6, 2013. It was initially released as a Tony Oneweek single, but surprisingly made the album. The song, produced by Masterkraft, was accompanied by a music video directed by Clarence Peters.^[16]

On May 26, 2014, "Let Somebody Love You" was released as the album's second single. The song was produced by Femi Femdouble and features vocals from Bridget Kelly. The music video for the song, shot and directed in Lagos by Luke Biggins, was uploaded onto YouTube on June 20, 2014.^[17] In April 2014, 2face and Bridget Kelly performed the song during Star Music Trek's visit to Markudi.^[18]

On June 26, 2014, 2face released the album's third single "Go" featuring Trinidadian soca singer Machel Montano. In June 2014, both artists performed the song at the 18th annual St. Kitts Music Festival.^[19] The music video for "Go" was released by 960 Music on December 5, 2014, and features cameo appearances from Seyi Shay and Niyola.^[20]

"Diaspora Woman" was released as the album's fourth single on October 23, 2014. Its music video was filmed in Dallas by Moe Musa. Ghanaian actress Juliet Ibrahim played the role of 2face's love interest in the video.^[21]

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 gave the album 3 out 5 stars, adding: "I know 2Face set out to make a forward or upward moving album on 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. He specifically said "his [2face Idibia] story telling mechanism is so acute that as you listen intently, with vivid imaginations provided, you are only aware that he is singing due to the catchy melody. All 17 songs have active instrumentals that suggest particular care and attention given to their productions. In this crazy world of strife and stress weighing down people’s minds, 2Face knows better than to bring an album full of tracks requiring some energy to enjoy."^[12]

Track listing

Sampling credits

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

Personnel

Credits adapted from linear notes of The Ascension.

Charts

Release history

References