Leading telecommunications operator, Airtel Nigeria, on Monday night led a host of friends, associates and music lovers to the fifth album launch of Nigeria’s top-ranking artiste, Tuface Idibia, who also doubles as the brand ambassador to the telecommunications giant.
Indeed, it was an unusual night marked by wholesome excitement, creativity, fun, star performances and inspirational entertainment at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, venue of this year’s edition of Buckwyld ‘n’ Breathless Concert and fifth album launch of Nigeria’s leading R ‘n’ B singer, Tuface Innocent Idibia.
The event, which started with a red carpet, was a big hit throughout the over four hours it lasted, with fans, friends and associates of the African Queen crooner treated to thrilling tunes complemented by the welcoming ambience of the massive hall.
The night was also a high one for the fans, as Airtel Nigeria provided them with platforms to experience the exciting features on its foremost value offerings for the Nigerian youth, Club 10 Hook.
Speaking on Airtel’s partnership with 2face on the concert, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava, expressed delight at the company’s support for its brand ambassador and one of the greatest artistes from Africa.
While drawing the link between Airtel’s Club 10 Hook musical platform and the concert, Srivastava noted that the innovative offering was designed to excite, engage and reward talented Nigerian youths as well as create credible reward platforms for them.
“Nigerians love music; they are trendy, social and innovative. With the launch of Club 10 Hook, we want to offer our customers excitement and enjoyment; and the unique opportunity to develop their talent and also enjoy a taste of stardom. We believe the Buckwyld N Breathless concert serves our vision right, and we are proud to be associated with it,” said Srivastava.
Tuface Idibia, who led the pack of performers for the night, took the occasion to announce for the umpteenth time his engagement to Annie Macaulay, on whom he placed a crown while performing on stage the hit, “African Queen.”
Incidentally, the pair performed the single in its debut video.
Performing from his latest album, Away and Beyond, Tuface, originally named, Innocent Idibia, showed why he is above his contemporaries round the African continent and has enjoyed more accolades from the international music community than any of his contemporaries.
The audience was also treated to collaborative efforts by Tuface and MI (Mr. Incredible), Vector, Kass, Sound Sultan, and W4 and Sound Sultan.
There was also a reminiscence of the Plantainshawn Boyz days as the trio of Tuface, Faze and Blackface took the stage, somewhat reminding the fans of what a great loss the breaking up of the group had cost the Nigerian music lover.
Aside the collaborations, ace Afro Juju maestro, Sir Shina Peters, showed a glimpse of his old self with a cameo appearance.
The concert was a continuation of the breathtaking production that fans have come to associate with 2Face and the Buckwyld N Breathless brand.
The first of the series, which held on September 26, 2010, was a well-attended concert with fantastic reviews for the sheer energy and captivating nature of the deliberate performances and the impeccable choreography put together by 2Face and his support cast.
The second edition, held on November 6, 2011, at the O2 Arena in London, a concert which is still talked about in glowing terms in the English capital.
Notable personalities at the event included Senator Florence Ita-Giwa; Super Eagles and Rubin Kazan forward, Obafemi Martins; IK of the Big Brother Africa fame; radio presenter, Yaw; Stand-Up Comedian, Basket Mouth; musicians Sir Shina Peters, Weird MC, MI, Sound Sultan, Faze, Vector, W4 and Blackface; and the Airtel family led by its Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Deepak Srivastava, and his amiable wife.