Today, a legend turns 49. 2Baba, born Innocent Ujah Idibia is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, record producer and philanthropist known for his solo debut album, Face 2 Face. He is widely regarded as one of the “most influential” in the Nigerian music industry following his contributions to Nigerian pop music in the 2000s.
2Baba released his debut solo album, Face 2 Face(2004), which was positively reviewed by music critics and was listed as one of the greatest Nigerian debut album of the 21st Century by a solo artist. It was followed by his second album, Grass 2 Grace (2006). After that, he left Kennis Music and established his own record label, Hypertek Digital. In 2009, he released an experimental album, The Unstoppable, with an international edition in 2010. The international edition won two awards at the 2010 SoundCity Music Video Awards.
History takes us back to 2004 where 2Baba’s departure from the band “Plantashun Boiz” led to the group’s split, sparking a feud with his former bandmates who blamed him for the disbandment. 2Baba and former bandmate Faze traded blame in various tracks on their respective solo albums.
BlackFace alleged that 2Baba’s performed songs were written by both of them, although the issue was later resolved in court. The hit song “African Queen” became a subject of controversy between 2Baba, his record label Kennis Music, and former bandmate Blackface, who publicly accused him of stealing the song from him, alleging that he wrote the song while they were still a band. Kennis Music eventually agreed to give Blackface writing credits for the song and also agreed to pay him royalties from the proceeds of the song.
2Baba has been married to Nigerian actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia since 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria. A civil ceremony was held in Dubai on March 23, 2013, and they have seven children.
2Baba has received several awards throughout his career, including the MTV Europe Music Award and World Music Award, five The Headies Award for Song of the Year, four Channel O Music Video Awards, and a BET Award. Additionally, he has been honored at the MTV Africa Music Awards, the Music of Black Origin Awards, the Kora Awards, and the 2019 ‘Afrima Legend Award’. He was inducted into “The Headies Hall of Fame” in 2015 and the ‘Music Legends Hall of Fame’ in Ghana in 2022. 2Baba won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2005.
Today we celebrate a legend who turns 49. A man who has contributed immensely to African Music. A hit maker and an activist. The best pen Afrobeats has seen yet ( in my opinion ) and one of the highest levels of range ever recorded in our history. Happy birthday 2Baba, we celebrate with you.
