Away and Beyond

Away and Beyond is the fifth studio album by veteran Nigerian musician 2Baba. It was released on 30 April 2012 by Hypertek Entertainment, now Hypertek Digital. The album features additional vocalists such as Naeto C, Dammy Krane, Terry Tha Rapman, Huma Lara, Becca and Rocksteady. Producers that worked on the album include Femdouble, G.$ol, Jay Sleek, Kas, Clutchie, DJ Willie O, Kaywa, Spellz and Kiki Banson.

Background and launch party
In 2012, Nigerian music icon 2Baba, formerly known as 2Face Idibia, released his fifth studio album, Away and Beyond. This album came after the critically acclaimed The Unstoppable and its international edition, both of which solidified his status as a leading figure in the African music scene. Eager to build on this success, 2Baba embarked on a new journey with Away and Beyond, aiming to showcase his evolution as an artist and his ability to combine different genres to create a unique musical sound. 2Baba worked with a team of talented producers, including Femi Ojetunde, Jay Sleek, Spellz, DJ Willie O, among others, who helped craft its unique sound. He drew inspiration for the album from various aspects of his life, including personal experiences and observations of the world around him. The lyrics of Away and Beyond explore themes such as love, unity, perseverance, and social justice, resonating within a wide audience.

The release of Away and Beyond was highly anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike. It was launched with a grand concert at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria, at the 2012 Buckwyld 'n' Breathless concert, drawing a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters.

Singles
The lead single "Chemical Reaction" features Naeto C and was released on 20 September 2011 and produced by DJ Willie O. The second single "Bad Man, Bad Girl" features Ghanaian singer Becca and was produced by Kiki Banson and Kaywa. The song was released on 28 February 2012, while the music video was released on 16 December 2012. The third single "Rainbow" was released on 4 April 2012. The song was produced by Femdouble and G.$ol the Producer. The music video was released on 11 June 2013 and is a collage of 2Baba's wedding clips with Annie Macaulay-Idibia. The fourth single "Omo No Dulling" was released on 30 April 2012 and features label mates Rocksteady and Dammy Krane. The song was produced by Spellz and the music video was released on 16 May 2013 and directed by Sesan. The fifth single "Ihe Neme" was released on 22 September 2012 and produced by Jay Sleek. The music video was directed by Clarence Peters. The sixth single "Dance Floor" was released on 17 February 2013 and produced by Femi Ojetunde, G.$ol and DJ Willie O. The music video was directed by Godfather Productions. The seventh single "Dance in the Rain" was released on 27 March 2014 and directed by Luke Biggins. The eighth and final single "Higher (Spiritual Healing)" features vocals from Huma Lara and was released on 4 April 2014 with an accompanying animated music video.

Critical reception
The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Sho, Tunde and Toolsman of Should You Bump This rated the album a three out of five, praising the album's production and lyrics, but saying that it wasn't his best effort. Ayomide Tayo of Nigerian Entertainment Today rated the album a four out of five, saying that the album was "matured, calm and layered with emotion" and had "well-thought concepts". Music reviewer Wilfred Okiche liked the album, saying that the album gives "a more mature 2Face Idibia, in content, sound, lyrics and vocals". Music blog We Plug Good Music said that "2Face Idibia outdoes himself on Away & Beyond and surpasses 2010's The Unstoppable to deliver this amazing new album." They also said that the album has "stellar production and a huge versatility of sounds" and that the album would be hard to top in the year of 2012.

Accolades
The album was nominated for Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2013.

Personnel

 * Innocent "2Baba" Idibia – primary artist, writer, producer
 * Oyindamola "Dammy Krane" Emmanuel – featured artist, writer
 * Ibrahim "Rocksteady" Oboromboro – featured artist, writer
 * Rebecca "Becca" Acheampong – featured artist, writer
 * Terry "Terry Tha Rapman" Madaki – featured artist, writer
 * Michael "Sarkodie" Addo – featured artist, writer
 * Naetochukwu "Naeto C" Chikwe – featured artist, writer
 * Iva "Cabo Snoop" Lemus – featured artist, writer
 * Huma Lara – featured artist, writer
 * Faheem "T-Pain" Najm – featured artist, writer
 * Efe Omoregbe – writer
 * Ben'Jamin "Spellz" Obadje – producer
 * Jerry "Jay Sleek" Shelika – producer
 * Clutchie – producer, writer
 * David "Kaywa" Kyei – producer, writer
 * Kiki Banson – producer, writer
 * DJ Willie O – producer, writer
 * Femi "Femdouble" Ojetunde – producer, writer, mixing engineer
 * Olubunmi "G.$ol" Afolabi – producer, writer, mixing engineer
 * Zeeno Foster – mixing engineer
 * Godfather Productions – video director
 * Sesan Ogunro – video director
 * Clarence Peters – video director
 * Luke Biggins – video director