‘Holy Holy’ is 2Baba’s response to the aborted political protest

Following this skit is one of his more popular songs from the album. 'U No Holy Pass' goes after two sets of people: Those who criticise things so much it tells on their health and those who claim to know more than everyone else. “If you want to criticise me talk small small,” he says on the chorus. “You no holy pass my brother.”

Two years later on his sophomore album, he sings: “Nobody holy pass eh! Look into my eyes and tell me say you pass eh.” He preaches one love (like Bob Marley) as the recipe for the violent ethnic clashes experienced both locally and globally at the time. The word “holy” is no longer persecutory as it was in 2004. Instead it calls for an admittance of collective failures.

A decade later, the word reappears twice in the title of his new single. ‘Holy Holy’ is a response to criticisms 2Baba (as he is now known) faced after starting a storm he couldn’t tame in light of his aborted protest against the government. On the song’s chorus, he asks idle people judging others, “I hope say you holy pass Elijah sha? I hope say you holy pass the government sha?”

The public's reaction to the planned protest and its aftermath must have been as shocking to him as it was to his fans who, in defence, unearthed songs like “E be like Say” and “For Instance” as proof that 2Baba has made socially conscious music in the past.

2Baba’s disappointment at this mistrust of his intentions is clear on every line of the new single. “As you get opinion,” he says on the second verse, “make you know say other people get opinion too.” And to those he mockingly likens to Obama in their constant bellyaching, he asks if they are credible enough to run for office: “I hope the people vote you sha,” he scoffs.

The Clarence Peters directed video of ‘Holy Holy’ opens with Fela slamming the African’s complacent attitude to oppression and injustice, a speech a lot sadder than the song itself. School pupils are shown escaping gunshots, and every member of the society is represented—from judges, shown folding their arms, to artisans and military personnel. All of these people, these fellow citizens, including doctors and lawyers who in the past he has asked to “see me as your brother”, throw stones at him. 2Baba, they say, is on the other side and they are irate.

The idea, as carried on social media, that state funds might have been used to celebrate his elaborate wedding years ago angers them the more. How dare he protest in broad day when he dines with the enemies at night? But the stones don’t reach him. He's shielded by “Jaja’s love.”

With the video 2Baba is saying, "I may have strayed, but that is also because I am like you: I’m not holy. If you were in my shoes, you'd probably also apple-polish these enemies as well. You are all hypocrites, just as I am."

For an artist like 2Baba whose videography isn't as impressive as those of his contemporaries, D’banj and P-Square, the art direction of ‘Holy Holy’ is commendable. No doubt he is trying to reclaim some of his past glory (like D’banj who might have lost it completely) and force himself back into pop music’s limelight. What better way to do that than make meaningful captivating videos? If he missed it when he was younger, he's getting it right now, and more importantly, now that there's YouTube.

In song and video, 2Baba’s ‘Holy Holy’ is political and personal. It is the work of an old master taking on his critics. In returning to his political past, 2Baba has made a song of self-renewal.