If you are a fan of Nigerian music, you have probably heard of 2Baba, one of the most influential and successful artists in the industry. 2Baba, formerly known as 2Face Idibia, is a singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, humanitarian, and activist.
He has released several hit songs and albums, won numerous awards, and inspired many other musicians. In this blog post, we will take a look at his life, career, achievements, and impact.
2Baba Profile
Birth Name: Innocent Ujah Idibia
Stage Name: 2Face Idibia (A.K.A. 2Baba)
Music Genres: Afrobeats, R&B, Reggae, Hip pop, Afropop
Years active: 1994 - present
Birth Date: 18 September, 1975
Spouse: Annie Macaulay Idibia
Net Worth: $22 million
2Baba Early life and education
Innocent Ujah Idibia was born on September 18, 1975, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. He is the second of four sons of Michael and Rose Idibia. He belongs to the Idoma ethnic group from Benue State, where he grew up.
He attended Demonstration Primary School and Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School in Makurdi, Benue State. He developed a passion for music at a young age and started singing in his church choir and school music club.
He later enrolled at the Institute of Management & Technology (IMT) in Enugu, where he studied Business Administration and Management. He also performed at various shows and events in and around the campus. He eventually dropped out of school to pursue his music career full-time.
2Baba Music career
2Baba started his music career in 1994 when he moved to Lagos and met Blackface, a fellow singer from Benue State. They formed a duo called Plantashun Boiz and later recruited Faze, another singer, to join them.
The trio became one of the most popular R&B groups in Nigeria in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They released two successful albums, Body and Soul (2000) and Sold Out (2003), before they split up in 2004.
2Baba then embarked on a solo career and released his debut album, Face2Face, in 2004. The album was a huge success, especially the lead single, African Queen, which became an anthem across Africa and beyond. The song also earned him the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2005, making him the first Nigerian artist to win the award.
He followed up with his second album, Grass 2 Grace, in 2006, which featured more hit songs like See Me So, True Love, and If Love Is a Crime. He also collaborated with other artists like R. Kelly, Beenie Man, Wyclef Jean, and Mary J. Blige. He established his record label, Hypertek Digital, in 2006 and signed other artists like Dammy Krane, Rocksteady, and Victor Uwaifo.
He continued to release more albums, such as The Unstoppable (2008), The Unstoppable International Edition (2010), Away and Beyond (2012), The Ascension (2014), and Warriors (2020). He also changed his stage name from 2Face to 2Baba in 2016, saying it was a way of rebranding himself and evolving with the times.
2Baba Awards and achievements
2Baba has won over 40 awards in his career, making him one of the most decorated Nigerian musicians of all time. Some of his awards include:
MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act (2005)
World Music Award for World’s Best Selling Nigerian Artist (2008)
BET Award for Best International Act: Africa (2011)
MOBO Award for Best African Act (2011)
Headies Award for Artiste of the Year (2014)
MTV Africa Music Award for Best Male (2015)
MTV Africa Music Award for MAMA Legend (2016)
Afrima Award for Best Male Artist in Western Africa (2017)
Headies Award for Special Recognition (2018)
Afrima Award for Best African Act in the Diaspora (2019)
He also holds several honorary titles, such as:
Peace Ambassador by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in 2009
Nigerian Red Cross Society Ambassador in 2012
Oxfam Ambassador in 2016
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2017
Fellow of the School of Music by the Music Department of the Obafemi Awolowo University in 2019
2Baba Personal life and philanthropy
2Baba is married to Annie Macaulay-Idibia, a Nigerian actress and model. They got married in 2012 after dating for several years. They have two daughters, Isabella and Olivia. 2Baba also has five other children from previous relationships with Sumbo Ajaba, Pero Adeniyi, and Sunmbo Adeoye.
2Baba is also a philanthropist and humanitarian who supports various causes and initiatives. He founded the 2Baba Foundation, formerly known as the 2Face Idibia Reach-Out Foundation, in 2009.
The foundation aims to promote peace, education, health, empowerment, and social justice in Nigeria and Africa. Some of the projects and campaigns that the foundation has supported include:
Vote Not Fight, a non-violence campaign that encourages youths to participate peacefully in elections
Million Voices for Peace, a concert that raises funds and awareness for victims of violence and displacement
Power of 1, a social movement that inspires Nigerians to take action for positive change
Eargasm, a concert that showcases alternative music and supports people with hearing impairment
2Baba Day, an annual event that celebrates his birthday and gives back to his community
20 Years a King, a project that marks his 20th anniversary in the music industry and honors his fans and supporters
2Baba Impact and legacy
2Baba is widely regarded as one of the pioneers and legends of Nigerian music. He is credited with popularizing Nigerian pop music in Africa and the world and influencing many other artists. He is also known for his versatility, creativity, and consistency in his music.
He has experimented with different genres, such as R&B, hip-hop, reggae, gospel, Afropop, and Afrobeat. He has also collaborated with artists from different countries and cultures, such as Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Jamaica, France, and the United States.
2Baba is also respected for his activism and social consciousness. He has used his music and platform to speak out against injustice, corruption, violence, and poverty. He has also advocated for peace, unity, democracy, and human rights. He has inspired many Nigerians and Africans to be more involved in social and political issues and to make a positive difference in their communities and countries.
2Baba is undoubtedly one of the most influential and successful musicians in Nigeria and Africa. He has achieved a lot in his career and life, and he continues to do so. He is a legend, a role model, and a hero to many. He is 2Baba, the legend of Nigerian music.
2Baba Net Worth
According to Wikipedia, 2Baba’s net worth is estimated to be around $22 million as of 2024. He has made his fortune from his music career, endorsements, business interests, and philanthropy. He is one of the most influential and successful musicians in Nigeria and Africa.
2Baba Social Media
2Baba social media page includes:
Instagram: @official2baba
Twitter: official2baba
Facebook: 2baba Idibia
2Baba, biography FAQs
Some frequently asked questions about 2Baba’s biography are:
1. What Is 2baba's Most Popular Song?
2Baba’s most popular song is African Queen, which was released in 2004 as the lead single from his debut album, Face2Face. The song was a huge hit across Africa and beyond and earned him several awards and recognition. The song was also featured in the soundtrack of the 2006 movie Phat Girlz, starring Mo’Nique. African Queen is considered one of the most iconic and influential songs in Nigerian music history
2. How Many Albums Has 2baba Released So Far?
2Baba has released seven solo albums so far. They are:
Face2Face (2004)
Grass 2 Grace (2006)
The Unstoppable (2008)
The Unstoppable International Edition (2010)
Away and Beyond (2012)
The Ascension (2014)
Warriors (2020)
He also released two albums with Plantashun Boiz, a group he was part of before going solo. They are:
Body and Soul (2000)
Sold Out (2003)
3. How Did He Start His Music Career?
Started his music career in 1994, performing at school shows and parties and composing and singing jingles at a local radio station. He moved to Lagos and formed the group Plantashun Boiz with Blackface and Faze, which became one of the most popular R&B groups in Nigeria. He launched his solo career in 2004, releasing his debut album Face 2 Face, which featured the hit song African Queen`
4. Who Is His Wife, And How Many Children Does He Have?
He is married to Annie Macaulay-Idibia, a Nigerian actress and model. They tied the knot in 2012 after a long and turbulent relationship that started in 1999. They have two daughters together, Isabella and Olivia. He also has five other children from two previous relationships with Pero Adeniyi and Sumbo Ajaba. His children are Nino, Zion, Justin, Rose, and Innocent.
5. 2face First Song And Year
2face’s first song as a solo artist was African Queen, which was released in 2004 as the lead track on his debut album Face 2 Face
6. How Old Is 2face Idibia Wife
According to Wikipedia, 2face Idibia’s wife, Annie Macaulay-Idibia, is 37 years old as of March 2022. She was born on November 13th, 1984, in Eket, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. She is a Nigerian actress, model, and businesswoman
7. How Many Children Does 2face Have
According to Wikipedia, 2face has seven children from three different women: Sumbo Ajaba, Pero Adeniyi, and Annie Idibia. His children are Nino, Zion, Justin, Rose, Innocent, Isabella, and Olivia.
Conclusion
2Baba is a musician, a philanthropist, and a legend. He has made a remarkable impact on the Nigerian music industry and the African continent at large. He has also used his voice and platform to make a positive difference in society.
He is an inspiration to many aspiring artists and young people who want to follow their dreams and make the world a better place. He is truly a living legend.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post on the 2Baba biography. Please let me know what you think of it and if you have any suggestions or feedback. Thank you for your time and attention.
