Musical Icon: Celebrating two decades since 2baba’s debut album

Sensational African Legend, Innocent Ujah Idibia, known by his stage name 2Baba, formerly as 2face Idibia was a member of a band called the Plantashun Boiz before moving on to join Kennis music where he became a house hold name in the music industry.

He released his debut album ‘face 2 face’ on March 15, 2004. It became a major hit as it sold up to 2 million copies initially in Nigeria, but quickly spread through western and southern Africa, and eventually making an impact in Europe as well. The success of the album was attributed to the single ‘African Queen’ which was a global hit and was featured as a sound track in the movie ‘Phat Girls’ in 2006 and has remained evergreen.

He has over the years released other albums and songs but the ‘Face 2 Face’ album was important in taking Nigerian mainstream pop music international.

2Baba is known for being an artist who constantly is lyrically gifted and uses his music to speak on social justice which goes back to two decades.

He also used his music to address those who criticized him for leaving Plantashun Boiz and also when he had marital issues.

‘Face 2 Face’ album introduced listeners to what we will be expecting from the Icon over the years and he did not disappoint. He was known for being a singer, rapper, songwriter, sage, but most of all, a pacesetter. He was also versatile as he always delivered on every genre.

Currently 48 years of age, he doesn’t jump on beats like before, but his legacy still stands tall as he ushered Nigerian music into a new limelight in the early 2000’s.