History of 2 face idibia

2Baba

Nigerian musician (born )

Innocent Ujah IdibiaMON[a] (Listenⓘ; born 18 September ), 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 s.[5]

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

Early life and education

2Baba was born on 18 September , 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 , 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 [9]

Career

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 () and Sold Out (), under Dove Records, a label owned by Nelson Brown.[11] The band members separated in , and 2Baba returned to his solo music.

2Baba released his debut solo album, Face 2 Face (), 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 (). After that, he left Kennis Music and established his own record label, Hypertek Digital.[13] In , he released an experimental album, The Unstoppable, with an international edition in [14] The international edition won two awards at the SoundCity Music Video Awards.[15]

Personal life and controversies

In , 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 25 January , 2Baba announced through his Instagram handle that he would be leading a nationwide protest on 5 February ; 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 , 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 in Lagos, Nigeria.[29][30] A civil ceremony was held in Dubai on 23 March , and they have two children.[31]

Legacy

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 'Afrima Legend Award'.[33] He was inducted into "The Headies Hall of Fame" in [34] and the 'Music Legends Hall of Fame' in Ghana in [35]

In May , 2Baba was conferred an honorary Master of Arts in Music at Igbinedion University, Nigeria,[36] and in March , he was named a Fellow of the School of Music at Obafemi Awolowo University.[37] In January , 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 ,[40] the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in ,[41] the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE),[42]Airtel Nigeria,[43]Globacom,[44] Pazino Homes and Gardens,[45] Hennessy artistry season alongside singer Wizkid, in ,[46] Oraimo,[47] and was appointed the African ambassador for the Italian liquor manufacturer, Campari in [48]

The FORTYfied All-Star Tribute Concert, organized by 2Baba to celebrate his 40th birthday and influence in Nigerian music, took place on 20 September , 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

Albums

See also

References

Notes

  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

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

External links