Baba whose full name is Babatunmida hails from a prestigious musical family that gave birth to the likes of Fela Kuti, Fran Kuboye, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti and Tunde Kuboye.
As a performer in his early days, Baba spent his youth performing alongside his parents, the renowned Tunde and Fran Kuboye at the famous Jazz 38 Centre for the Arts, playing percussion and singing backup vocals to Afro Jazz sounds. His main inspirations are the veterans of African Music and Afro Jazz because they influenced his current state of mind.
Baba says Fela Anikulapo Kuti, his parents (Tunde & Fran Kuboye), Femi Kuti, Lagbaja and Seun Kuti all played a part in what he writes in his Lyrics today. He got into hip hop at an early age and was captivated by the lyrical ability of Tupac Amaru Shakur *All Eyez On Me* - 2pac was the first hip hop album he listened to. From then on Baba started writing, keeping an ear out for the rap talents that came through the years. He notably quotes that Eminem, Nas, Jay Z, Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, DMX, Ludacris and Biggie Smalls are among his favorite rappers.
Rapping has never had more of a purpose for this young Nigerian who establishes a connection with his audience by providing carefully crafted, thoughtful and conscious lyrics. With a smooth delivery, he communicates with his chilled and laid back flow. A keen and conscious storyteller with an insightful perspective on life in the 3rd World, Baba shows a sharp sense of lyrical purpose. Above all, he is real and doesn't try to fit into a stereotype.
Packing all the bars with raw emotion, he attacks the beat, changing his rhyme or rhythm pattern every now and again, keeping you guessing about whats coming next. However, even though he spits about urban realities sprinkled with intellectual depth, he really isn't all about kicking knowledge and highlighting the worlds problems. He is also that light hearted funny guy with clever and confident punch lines.
Baba generated a buzz via freestlyes and mix-tapes and got instant appeal because of his tendency to be real with his situations and feelings..." Its not what you say, but how you say it" and Baba has that uncanny ability to be articulate breaking it down to his listeners. You don't have to be in his shoes to get the picture all you need to do is listen to what he says.
With his first full length solo debut, Baba stays true to his underground faithfuls by stepping up his rhymes and lyrical content. Working with upcoming producers like Femi 'Nasty' Oyenuga, Seun Anikulapo Kuti and Kwame Appah, Baba has raised the bar of African Hip Hop with a powerful delivery of himself, his music and his vision.
This superb compilation is predicted to take the world by storm.
