BIGSONG:
Innocent Ujah Idibia (born 18 September 1975), known by his stage name 2Baba, is a Nigerian musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, humanitarian, and activist. Noted for his vocal range, lyrical depth, and longevity, he is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest musicians of all-time. He is most influential for the rise in popularity of Nigerian pop music in the 2000s, and his solo debut album Face2Face (with the smash hit “African Queen”) ushered in a new wave of awareness and reverence for Nigerian music amongst Africans on the continent and in diaspor. Prior to July 2014, he went by the stage name 2face Idibia. 2Baba is the first winner of MTV EMA Best African Act category in 2005, and is one of the most awarded Nigerian musicians in history.
In 2019, 2baba, in collaboration with other well known artistes like Cohbams and Timi Dakolo, released a song for awareness of the rights of children.
Early life
Innocent Ujah Idibia was born in Jos, Nigeria. He is from the Idoma ethnic group in the southern part of Benue State, in central Nigeria. He attended Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School in Makurdi, Benue State. Tuface enrolled at the Institute of Management & Technology, Enugu (IMT), where he did his preliminary National Diploma course in Business Administration and management. While attending IMT, Idibia performed at school organised shows and parties, as well as other regional schools such as the University of Nigeria and Enugu State University of Science & Technology. He eventually dropped out of school to pursue his music career. While attending IMT, 2face Idibia started composing and singing jingles at the GB Fan Club at Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS) in 1996.
Also in 1996, he adopted the stage name “2Face” (Tuface). He cited the reason as “trying to demarcate my personal life from my business life”.
In 2016, he officially changed his name from Tuface to 2Baba.
In Plantashun Boiz
He moved to Lagos and started performing with fellow Benue singer Blackface Naija. He met Blackface during his secondary school education. With Blackface (Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo) and with musician Faze (Chibuzor Orji), he went on to form the trio band called Plantashun Boiz.[citation needed]
Plantashun Boiz released two successful albums: Body and Soul (2000) and Sold Out (2003) under Nelson Brown’s label (Dove Records) before disbanding in 2004. Relations were marred for many years during which the band broke up and its members started their solo careers. Long after the break-up known as the “Faze vs Tuface” beef, the band came back together in 2007 for the purpose of recording a third and final album entitled Plan B (2007).
On numerous occasions, BlackFace claimed 2Face was performing songs co-written by both of them and not remitting revenues to him. After a long legal and media battle, the matter was finally laid to rest amicably.
Solo career
After the disbandment of Plantashun Boyz in 2004, all band members sought separate musical careers. 2Baba released his debut solo album Face 2 Face (2004), which has been listed by many publications as the greatest Nigerian debut album of the 21st Century by a solo artist. The album spurned hits like “Nfana Ibaga”, “Ole”, and “African Queen” (which has been touted as one of the biggest hits to come out of Africa and served as the sound track to the 2006 Hollywood movie Phat Girlz).
Following the release of his debut album, he released his second album Grass 2 Grace in 2006, which contained hits likes “One Love”, “True Love, “4 Instance”.
Abstract painting Star studded of Idibia by designer Olufeko showcased at a pop-up exhibition themed ENCORE in December 2013
2Baba released an experimental album in 2009 called The Unstoppable which includes the single”Enter the Place”. Problems with album distribution in 2007 caused a shift of the release date of the album from 2008 to early 2009. In 2010, 2Baba released an “International Edition” of the same album with the title The Unstoppable International Edition making him the first Nigerian artist to have an appropriately priced international album. 2face released two more singles from the international version of his The Unstoppable album. The international edition of the album won two awards at the 2010 SoundCity Music Video Awards. 2Baba also won the Channel O Music Video Awards,Best African Western award and the MTV Africa Music Awards for Best Male and Artist of the year.
Upon leaving the music label Kennis Music after the release of his second solo album, he set up his own record label known as Hypertek Digital. He is part of the Sony All African One8 Project alongside seven other musicians across Africa recording a single with R. Kelly and Prince Lee titled “Hands Across the World”.
Endorsement deal
2Baba, in August 2016, became the first African ambassador of Italian alcoholic liqueur Campari. In 2005, he was named as an ambassador of Guinness beer. He is also the brand ambassador for National Agency for Food and Drug Andministration and Control. In 2010, 2Baba signed an endorsement deal with Airtel Nigeria. When his contract with Airtel expired, he signed a new endorsement deal with Globacom telecommunication in May 2019. 2Baba was made the brand ambassador of Pazino Homes and Gardens, a real estate firm, in July 2019. Tuface alongside Wizkid was chosen as the face of Hennessy artistry season in 2014. In 2019, 2Baba became the first and official brand ambassador for Oraimo.
2Baba signed an endorsement deal with real estate brand, pazino homes and garden as he is now there brand ambassador.
FORTYfied All-Star Tribute Concert
The FORTYfied All-Star Tribute Concert, stylised as #FORTYfied, was an all-star tribute concert organised by 2Baba to celebrate his 40th birthday and influence in the music of Nigeria. Hosted by Basketmouth, the STAR Lager Beer-sponsored concert was held on 20 September 2015 at the Eko Hotel and Suites Convention Centre. The concert was attended by dignitaries and featured performances from notable musicians including Wizkid, Burna Boy, Timaya, D’banj, Sound Sultan, Patoranking, Vector tha Viper, Wande Coal and Seyi Shay.
He is also the owner of the Buckwyld and Breathless concert.
Personal life and marriage
2Baba is married to Nigerian award-winning actress, movie producer, model and serial entrepreneur Annie Idibia (nee Macauley). On 2 May 2012, 2Baba and Annie Macaulay married in Lagos, Nigeria in a private ceremony. A civil ceremony was also held in Dubai, UAE on 23 March 2013 and had a high attendance of celebrities.
The celebrity couple are parents to two girls: Olivia Idibia and Isabella Idibia.
While in a relationship with his then-girlfriend-turned-wife Annie Macaulay–Idibia, 2Baba fathered two children with Sumbo Ajala and three with Pero Adeniyi. 2face has a total of seven children.
2Baba has survived near-death events, including gunshots from an armed robbery incident near Oshodi, Lagos.
