Innocent Idibia popularly known as 2Baba is one of the living legends of the modern Nigerian music. He has been active long before many of the young singers in the country came on board. A singer-songwriter, record producer and philanthropist, he is regarded as the “most influential” in the Nigerian music industry following his contributions to Nigerian pop music in the 2000s.
A third half of the famous music group, The Platashon Boiz, that ruled the airwaves and pioneered our modern music industry that has become a sensation across the globe.
His breakout from the group had him signed to Kennis Music, one of the prominent record labels at the time. Under the record label, he released his debut album, ‘Face 2 Face’. The album was listed as one of the greatest Nigerian debut albums of the 21st Century by a solo artist.
His second album released in 2006 under same label, ‘Grass 2 Grace ‘, further cemented his place as the king of the Nigerian music industry.

His departure from Kennis Music had him establish his own record label, Hypertek Digital. In 2009, he released the album, ‘The Unstoppable’, with an international edition in 2010. The international edition won two awards at the 2010 Sound City Music Video Awards.
Other notable awards in his shelf includes, 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.

In May 2016, 2Baba as he is fondly called, was conferred an honorary Master of Arts in Music at Igbinedion University, Nigeria, and in March 2019, he was named a Fellow of the School of Music at Obafemi Awolowo University. 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. He also launched the “Vote Not Fight” campaign under the Youngsters Foundation and the National Democratic Institute. 2Baba has served as an ambassador for various brands including Guinness in 2005, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in 2009, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Airtel Nigeria,[43] Globacom, Pazino Homes and Gardens,[45] Hennessy artistry season alongside singer Wizkid, in 2014, Oraimo, and was appointed the African ambassador for the Italian liquor manufacturer, Campari in 2016.

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. Hosted by Basketmouth and sponsored by STAR Lager Beer, the concert garnered widespread acclaim. He is also the founder of the “Buckwyld and Breathless” concert series and the 2Baba Foundation, formerly known as the “2Face Reach Out Foundation”.

In his early days, 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.

Following his academic pursuits, 2Baba discontinued his formal education in pursuit of his music career. By 1996, he had already begun composing music and recording jingles especially at the GB Fan Club at Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS). Operating under the stage name “2Face”, he said that the name was “to demarcate his personal life from business life” though it was later changed to “2Baba” in 2016.
Today, we celebrate Innocent Ujah Idibia MON; who was born on the 18th of September 1975, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, from Idoma descent from Benue State in central Nigeria.

He is married to Nigerian actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia since 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria and they have seven children.
The legend turns 49 today and has contributed immensely to the African Music. A hit maker and an activist, the entire management of Desauce Magazine wish 2Baba a Happy Birthday.

Here are some of hit songs that will forever remain memorable: