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2Baba

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2Baba
see caption
2face at the release of his album, The Ascension (2014)
Background information
Birth nameInnocent Ujah Idibia
Also known as
  • Lord Elly
  • 2Baba
  • Tubaba
  • 2Face
  • Tuface
  • 2Face Idibia
  • Tuface Idibia
Born (1975-09-18) 18 September 1975 (age 49)
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • record producer
  • entrepreneur
Years active1994–present
LabelsHypertek Digital
Formerly ofPlantashun Boyz
Spouse
​
(m. 2012)​

Innocent Ujah Idibia MON[a] (Listenⓘ; born 18 September 1975), known by his stage name 2Baba and formerly as 2face Idibia,[2][3] is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, record producer and philanthropist known for his solo debut album, Face 2 Face.[4][b] He is regarded as one of the "most influential" and greatest Afrobeats artists of all time following his contributions to Nigerian pop music in the 2000s.[5]

2Baba won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2005.[6] In 2019, he collaborated with Cobhams Asuquo and Timi Dakolo to release a song, which raised awareness for Child's right.[7]

Early life and education

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2Baba was born on September 18, 1975, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, from Idoma descent from Benue State in central Nigeria.[8] He studied at Mount Saint Gabriel Secondary School in Makurdi before pursuing Business Administration at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu (IMT), located in Enugu State.[8]

Following his academic pursuits, 2Baba discontinued his formal education in pursuit of his music career.[8] By 1996, he had already begun composing music and recording jingles especially at the GB Fan Club at Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS).[8] Operating under the stage name "2Face",[c] he said that the name was "to demarcate his personal life from business life" though was later changed to "2Baba" in 2016.[9]

Career

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While attending IMT, Idibia began his music career performing alongside Blackface Naija, his secondary school classmate, and Faze, all of whom later formed the trio band, Plantashun Boiz.[10] The band released two albums, Body and Soul (2000) and Sold Out (2003), under Dove Records, a label owned by Nelson Brown.[11] The band members separated in 2004, and 2Baba returned to his solo music.

2Baba released his debut solo album, Face 2 Face (2004), which was positively reviewed by music critics and was listed as "the greatest Nigerian debut album of the 21st Century by a solo artist".[12] 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.[13] In 2009, he released an experimental album, The Unstoppable, with an international edition in 2010.[14] The international edition won two awards at the 2010 SoundCity Music Video Awards.[15]

Personal life and controversies

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In 2004, 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.[16]

BlackFace alleged that 2Baba's performed songs were written by both of them, although the issue was later resolved in court.[17] 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.[18][19] 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.[20]

On January 25, 2017, 2Baba announced through his Instagram handle that he would be leading a nationwide protest on February 5, 2017; the protest was against policies implemented by the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari.[21][22][23] In an attempt to halt the protest, the administration, through the Lagos State police commissioner Fatai Owoseni, released a statement that the protest was banned in the state, citing concerns that hoodlums would hijack it and cause havoc. However, the statement was rebuffed and ignored publicly, while publicity for the protest continued on social media.[24][25]

In February 2017, 2Baba released a video stating that he was canceling the protest due to security reasons. Rumors circulated on social media alleging that the administration, through the DSS, had picked him up earlier that day and pressured him to cancel the much-hyped protest, though he later made a series of tweets from his Twitter account to deny the claim.[26][27][28]

2Baba has been married to Nigerian actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia since 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria.[29][30] A civil ceremony was held in Dubai on March 23, 2013, and they have two children.[31]

Legacy

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2Baba has received several awards throughout his career, including the MTV Europe Music Award and World Music Award,[32] 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'.[33] He was inducted into "The Headies Hall of Fame" in 2015[34] and the 'Music Legends Hall of Fame' in Ghana in 2022.[35]

In May 2016, 2Baba was conferred an honorary Master of Arts in Music at Igbinedion University, Nigeria,[36] and in March 2019, he was named a Fellow of the School of Music at Obafemi Awolowo University.[37] In January 2017, he announced a partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and made donations for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and returnees.[38] He also launched the "Vote Not Fight" campaign under the Youngstars Foundation and the National Democratic Institute.[39] 2Baba has served as an ambassador for various brands including Guinness in 2005,[40] the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in 2009,[41] the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE),[42] Airtel Nigeria,[43] Globacom,[44] Pazino Homes and Gardens,[45] Hennessy artistry season alongside singer Wizkid, in 2014,[46] Oraimo,[47] and was appointed the African ambassador for the Italian liquor manufacturer, Campari in 2016.[48]

The FORTYfied All-Star Tribute Concert, organized by 2Baba to celebrate his 40th birthday and influence in Nigerian music, took place on September 20, 2015, at the Eko Hotel and Suites Convention Centre.[49] Hosted by Basketmouth and sponsored by STAR Lager Beer, the concert garnered widespread acclaim.[50] He is also the founder of the "Buckwyld and Breathless" concert series[51] and the 2Baba Foundation, formerly known as the "2Face Reach Out Foundation".[52]

Discography

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Albums

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See also

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Idibia alongside other Nigerian musicians including Burna boy was conferred the MON award by President Muhammadu Buhari.[1]
  2. ^ The album was received on hit with one of its content "African Queen", which ushered a wave of awareness and reverence for Nigerian music among Africans and diaspora
  3. ^ The name was literally coined from "two face"

Citations

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  1. ^ "Nigerian Music Stars Reign as Burna Boy, Teni, 2Face, Others Gets National Honour By President Buhari". The Comment Newspaper. 4 October 2022. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  2. ^ Njoku, Benjamin (27 July 2014). "2face changes name to 'Tu-baba'". Vanguard. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  3. ^ "Is 2baba the greatest Nigerian artist ever?". 16 July 2018. Archived from the original on 29 August 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  4. ^ "2Face donates N3.5 million to help persons displaced by Boko Haram". Premium Times. 27 February 2017. Archived from the original on 29 August 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  5. ^ Ohunyon, Ehis (16 May 2018). "14 years after, 'Face 2 Face' is still a gem of an album". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  6. ^ "10 things to know about 2face as he turns 42 | Premium Times Nigeria". 18 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Tubaba Archives". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d Abisoye, Adeyiga. "Music Legend, 2Face Idibia Turns 40". Channels TV. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  9. ^ "2face 'officially' changes name to 2baba". Music in Africa. 14 January 2016. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  10. ^ "Here's both sides of the story as Blackface says 2baba is suing him for N50M". pulse.ng. 19 July 2018. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  11. ^ "2face Idibia working with Nelson Brown on upcoming album". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  12. ^ Alake, Motolani (17 March 2020). "Here are the top 10 Nigerian debut albums of the past 20 years". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Tuface Idibia opens up on why he left Kennis music". Nigerianewsdaily.com. 28 October 2011. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  14. ^ "TuFace Checks Piracy With Classy Album Price". tribune.com.ng. Archived from the original on 22 March 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  15. ^ "Soundcity Music Video Awards 2010 – The Winner's Circle". thenetng.com. 22 November 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  16. ^ "Plantashun Boyz alum blames selfishness for split". Pulse Nigeria. 18 February 2018. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Theft Claim: Blackface Apolgises To 2Baba, Settles Out Of Court". Channels TV. Archived from the original on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  18. ^ "Blackface: I wrote 'African Queen'... I decide who sings it and who doesn't". TheCable Lifestyle. 12 September 2019. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  19. ^ Alonge, Osagie (1 August 2013). "2face, Blackface and the controversial 'African queen'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  20. ^ "Blackface don dey chop money from African Queen for 10 years – 2face Management". BBC News Pidgin. 19 July 2018. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  21. ^ Augoye, Jayne (25 January 2017). "Recession: 2Face plans to lead nationwide protest". Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  22. ^ "2face announces nationwide protest against 'obnoxious policies' of FG". TheCable Lifestyle. 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  23. ^ Inyang, Ifreke (25 January 2017). "2face Idibia announces nationwide protest against Buhari's policies". Daily Post Nigeria. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  24. ^ "Tuface To Protest Despite Police Ban, Warnings". Sahara Reporters. 2 February 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  25. ^ "Police Ban Tuface from Protesting in Lagos". guardian.ng. 2 February 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  26. ^ "I was not arrested – Tuface". Punch Newspapers. 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  27. ^ Nwachukwu, John Owen (6 February 2017). "Cancelled protest: I was not arrested by DSS – 2face". Daily Post Nigeria. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  28. ^ "'I was not arrested by the DSS' – music star says". pulse.ng. 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  29. ^ "2face Idibia and Annie Macaulay wed secretly". thenet.ng. The Net. 4 May 2012. Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  30. ^ "Annie, anointed queen of a shooting star". punchng.com. The Punch. 17 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  31. ^ "10 cutest couple moments of singer and wife as they mark 3rd wedding anniversary". Pulse NG. 23 March 2016. Archived from the original on 20 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  32. ^ "10 things to know about 2face as he turns 42". www.premiumtimesng.com. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  33. ^ Samuel, Mofijesusewa (25 November 2019). "2Baba And Awilo Longomba Honoured With The 'Legend Of The Year' Title At The 2019 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  34. ^ Emmanuel, Olu (25 January 2016). "Headies Awards: Efe Omorogbe speaks on 2face Idibia's Hall of Fame induction — National Daily Newspaper". Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  35. ^ "Ghana: African greats inducted into Music Legends Hall of Fame". Music in Africa. 30 November 2022. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  36. ^ "2face bags Masters Degree". 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  37. ^ Okonofua, Odion (21 March 2019). "2Face Idibia receives award of Fellow of the School of Music at Obafemi Awolowo University". pulse.ng. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  38. ^ "2Baba". Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  39. ^ "Singer launches "Vote Not Fight" campaign in Anambra". 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  40. ^ "2Face Idibia: Ten Most Iconic Moments". The Guardian Nigeria. 18 September 2017. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  41. ^ "NAFDAC appoints 2face Ambassador". vanguardngr.com. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  42. ^ Famuyiwa, Damilare (7 August 2019). "NSE appoints 2face as its 'Good Cause Ambassador'". Nairametrics. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  43. ^ "2 Face, IK, Akpororo, others now Airtel brand ambassadors". The Guardian Nigeria. 15 June 2015. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  44. ^ "2face dumps Airtel, becomes Glo ambassador". Vanguard News. 23 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  45. ^ "2Baba lands endorsement deal with real estate firm". Vanguard News. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  46. ^ "2Face, Wizkid in first collabo as Hennessy Artistry goes to Ghana". Vanguard News. 13 October 2014. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  47. ^ "oraimo Unveils 2Face as Brand Ambassador, Launches 310 Hours Battery Life Necklace". This Day. 4 October 2019. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  48. ^ "2Face, Annie Idibia bag new endorsement deal". Vanguard News. 22 April 2016. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  49. ^ "STAR to Celebrate 2Face at 40 With All-Star Tribute Concert". Vanguard. 17 September 2015. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  50. ^ Joey Akan (8 September 2015). "Singer announces concert to mark 40th birthday". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  51. ^ "Why I started Buckwyld & Breathless concert – 2face Idibia – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 24 September 2017. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  52. ^ "'2Face' Idibia: Message behind the music". CNN. 29 November 2011. Archived from the original on 31 August 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  53. ^ "2face – Away and Beyond [Album Review]". Netng. 2 May 2012. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  54. ^ "Warriors by 2Baba". Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
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