When one typical morning in 2004 2face (now known as 2Baba) woke up, stretched his feet, said a thank you prayer, brushed his teeth, had a shower, and grabbed something to eat, before stepping out into the street and entering the studio to cook up some beats, we knew there was going back for him.
He did cook up some beats, setting the stage for a defining moment in Nigerian music. The result? “Face 2 Face,” a debut album that dropped on May 15th, 2004, and immediately captured hearts. Produced by OJB Jezreel, the album became a major hit in Nigeria and throughout Western and Southern Africa, so much so that it got a South African version, released on January 27, 2006, featuring the original tracklist alongside six bonus remixes.
Hits like “African Queen” and “Nfana Ibaga” travelled internationally. “African Queen,” a song that celebrates the endowment of the African woman was part of the soundtrack for the 2006 American film “Phat Girlz” starring Mo’Nique.
“‘Cause wetin I dey see na the future wey dey pride o.” For those unfamiliar with Nigerian pidgin, it translates to “Because what I am seeing is the future that brings pride.”
2baba must indeed be beaming with pride. Two decades later, “Face 2 Face” is still getting us on our feet and dancing.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-colourful-house-in-mexico-city-surrounded-by-plants-and-flowers-right-a-caribbean-beach-resort-with-deck-chairs-on-the-sand.jpg?id=54003833&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If you've been dreaming of a tropical getaway, you might want to check <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-travel-advisories">Canada's latest travel advisories</a> before booking that flight. The government has <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/canadian-travel-advisories-for-popular-destinations-this-fall">recently issued travel notices</a> for 47 different countries due to a rise in dengue fever cases, and the symptoms sound pretty unpleasant.</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/viral-haemorrhagic-fevers/dengue-fever.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dengue fever</a> is a viral disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and it's more common than you might think in tropical and subtropical areas. It mostly pops up in urban or semi-urban regions, so your chances of encountering it could be higher if you're visiting places like beach resorts or busy cities.</p><p>If you get them, dengue fever symptoms typically show up 4-7 days after a mosquito bite. It <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/517" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">feels like the flu but cranked up a notch</a>. Look out for symptoms like sudden high fever, nasty headaches, pain behind your eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and rashes.</p><p>Most people who get symptoms recover within a week, but in some cases, dengue fever can turn severe. Severe dengue fever can lead to internal bleeding, organ failure, and, in fewer than 1% of cases, death. While your chances of becoming severely ill are small, it's not something you want to gamble with—especially if you've had dengue before, which can increase your risk of complications.</p><p>The <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/517" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">travel advisory</a>, most recently updated on Monday, October 28, covers a long list of destinations, many of which are hotspots for Canadians looking for a sun-soaked escape. Some of the countries flagged include Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.</p><p>The full list includes 46 countries, from Latin America to Africa to Southeast Asia, so it's wise to check if your next vacation destination is affected before booking flights or organizing travel insurance.</p><p>Since there's no vaccine or medication to prevent dengue fever in Canada, planning ahead is key. Government officials suggest using an <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/about-pesticides/insect-repellents.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">approved insect repellent</a> and applying it correctly, wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs, and sleeping in indoor areas that are completely enclosed or well-screened.</p><p>If you feel symptoms while travelling—or even after returning home—it's important to get checked by a doctor ASAP. Early treatment can make a big difference.</p><p>Dengue fever isn't new, but the <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/dengue-fever-climate-change-1.7043918" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">increase in outbreaks worldwide</a> is something to be aware of. According to the government, dengue cases are on the rise in urban areas of tropical and subtropical countries.</p><p>Around <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/viral-haemorrhagic-fevers/dengue-fever/surveillance.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">400 million people</a> are infected globally each year, and up to 300 of those cases are among Canadians returning from abroad. The actual number could be much higher because many people don't show symptoms.</p><p>If you are travelling to one of the countries on the list, don't panic. This is a <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices#level1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Level 1 travel notice</a>, meaning you should take standard precautions but don't need to cancel your plans. Just make sure you're prepared, especially if you're headed to a high-risk area during the local rainy season.</p><p>Here's the complete list of countries flagged (as of Monday, October 28, 2024) for dengue risks:</p><ol><li>Afghanistan</li><li>Argentina</li><li>Bangladesh</li><li>Bonaire</li><li>Brazil</li><li>Burkina Faso</li><li>Cabo Verde</li><li>Colombia</li><li>Costa Rica</li><li>Cuba</li><li>Curaçao</li><li>Dominican Republic</li><li>Ecuador</li><li>Ethiopia</li><li>French Guiana</li><li>French Polynesia</li><li>Ghana</li><li>Guadeloupe</li><li>Guatemala</li><li>Guyana</li><li>Honduras</li><li>Indonesia</li><li>Jamaica</li><li>Malaysia</li><li>Mali</li><li>Mexico</li><li>Nepal</li><li>Nicaragua</li><li>Panama</li><li>Paraguay</li><li>Peru</li><li>Philippines</li><li>Puerto Rico</li><li>Saint-Barthélemy</li><li>Saint Kitts and Nevis</li><li>Saint Martin</li><li>Saint Vincent and the Grenadines</li><li>Saint Lucia</li><li>Senegal</li><li>Sint Maarten</li><li>Sudan</li><li>Sri Lanka</li><li>Togo</li><li>Trinidad and Tobago</li><li>Uruguay</li><li>U.S. Virgin Islands</li></ol><p>If you're planning a trip to any of these destinations, visiting a travel health clinic around six weeks before you leave is a good idea. They can help you prep with personalized advice on how to stay safe from mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever.</p><p>While it's tempting to focus on the sunny beaches and palm trees at your destination, don't forget to check any government travel advisories before you go. </p><p>So pack that repellent, cover up, and enjoy your trip. Safe travels, Montreal!</p>
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