Learn About the Famous African Queen Singer and Song Writer – Innocent Ujah Idibia (2Baba) and Fireboy DML

Paul | January 25, 2024 | Nigeria | No Comments

Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly known by his stage name 2Baba, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer born on September 18, 1975. He played a significant role in popularizing Nigerian pop music in the 2000s. His solo debut album, “Face2Face,” released in the early 2000s, featured the smash hit “African Queen” and contributed to a renewed appreciation for Nigerian music.

2Baba was formerly known as 2face Idibia until July 2014. He gained recognition as the first winner of the MTV EMA Best African Act category in 2005, marking the beginning of numerous awards throughout his career. His influence on the Nigerian music scene has earned him a place among the most awarded Nigerian musicians.

Before pursuing a solo career, 2Baba was part of the boys’ group “Plantashun Boiz” under God Father Production. In 2019, he collaborated with other notable artists like Cobhams Asuquo and Timi Dakolo to release a song aimed at raising awareness about children’s rights.

Early Life of 2baba

Innocent Ujah Idibia, born in Jos, Nigeria, hails from the Idoma ethnic group in the southern part of Benue State. He attended Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School in Makurdi, Benue State. Later, he enrolled at the Institute of Management & Technology, Enugu (IMT), where he pursued a preliminary National Diploma course in Business Administration and management.

During his time at IMT, under the name Lord Elly, he became involved in music, performing at school-organized events and regional schools like the University of Nigeria and Enugu State University of Science & Technology. However, he decided to drop out of school to focus on building his music career. While at IMT, he began composing and singing jingles at the GB Fan Club at Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS) in 1996.

In 1996, he adopted the stage name “2Face” (Tuface), stating that it was a way to separate his personal life from his professional life. In 2016, he officially changed his stage name from Tuface to 2Baba.

Career in Plantain Boiz

In Lagos, 2Baba teamed up with fellow Benue singer Blackface Naija, whom he had known since secondary school. Alongside another musician, Faze (Chibuzor Orji), they formed the trio known as Plantashun Boiz. The group released two successful albums, “Body and Soul” in 2000 and “Sold Out” in 2003, under Nelson Brown’s label, Dove Records. Unfortunately, Plantashun Boiz disbanded in 2004, leading to strained relations among its members.

Despite the disbandment and the subsequent “Faze vs Tuface” beef, the group reconciled in 2007 to record a third and final album titled “Plan B” in 2007. BlackFace, however, claimed on several occasions that 2Baba was performing songs co-written by both of them and not sharing revenues. After a prolonged legal and media battle, the matter was eventually resolved amicably.

Start of His Solo Career

After the disbandment of Plantashun Boyz in 2004, 2Baba embarked on a successful solo career. His debut solo album, “Face 2 Face” (2004), is often regarded as the greatest Nigerian debut album of the 21st century by a solo artist. The album featured hits like “Nfana Ibaga,” “Ole,” and “African Queen,” the latter serving as the soundtrack for the 2006 Hollywood movie “Phat Girlz.”

Following this success, 2Baba released his second album, “Grass 2 Grace,” in 2006, which included popular tracks such as “One Love,” “True Love,” and “4 Instance.”

In 2009, 2Baba released an experimental album titled “The Unstoppable,” featuring the single “Enter the Place.” Due to distribution issues in 2007, the album’s release date was shifted to early 2009. In 2010, an “International Edition” of the album, titled “The Unstoppable International Edition,” was released, making 2Baba the first Nigerian artist to have an appropriately priced international album. This edition won two awards at the 2010 SoundCity Music Video Awards.

After leaving the music label “Kennis Music,” 2Baba established his own record label, Hypertek Digital. He also joined the Sony All African One8 Project, collaborating with seven other musicians across Africa, recording a single with R. Kelly and Prince Lee titled “Hands Across the World.” 2Baba continued to receive accolades, winning awards like the Channel O Music Video Awards, Best African Western award, and the MTV Africa Music Awards for Best Male and Artist of the Year.

Personal Life

2Baba, whose real name is Innocent Ujah Idibia, is married to Nigerian actress, movie producer, model, and entrepreneur Annie Idibia (née Macauley). The couple tied the knot on 2 May 2012 in a private ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria. They also had a civil ceremony in Dubai, UAE, on 23 March 2013, which was attended by numerous celebrities.

Together, 2Baba and Annie Idibia are parents to two daughters: Olivia Idibia and Isabel Idibia.

Prior to his marriage to Annie, 2Baba had children with Sumbo Ajala and Pero Adeniyi. With Sumbo Ajala, he fathered two children, and with Pero Adeniyi, he has three children. In total, 2Baba is the father of seven children.

2Baba has faced life-threatening situations, including surviving gunshots during an armed robbery incident near Oshodi, Lagos. Despite such challenges, he continues to be a prominent figure in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Controversies

In 2004, Tuface’s departure from the band “Plantashun Boiz” resulted in the group’s split, triggering a feud with his former bandmates who held him responsible for the disbandment. Tuface and Faze, a former bandmate, exchanged blame in various tracks on their respective solo albums.

The hit song “African Queen” became a source of controversy between Tuface, his record label Kennis Music, and former bandmate Blackface. Blackface publicly accused Tuface of stealing the song, claiming that he wrote it while they were still part of the band. Kennis Music eventually agreed to give Blackface writing credits for the song and agreed to pay him royalties from its proceeds.

On January 25, 2017, Tuface announced through his Instagram handle that he would lead a nationwide protest on February 5, 2017. The protest aimed to address issues with policies implemented by the administration of “Muhammadu Buhari.” The Lagos state police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, released a statement banning the protest in the state, citing concerns about potential hijacking by hoodlums. Despite the ban, publicity for the protest continued on social media.

In February 2017, Tuface released a video announcing the cancellation of the protest due to security reasons. There were rumors on social media suggesting that the administration, through the Department of State Services (DSS), had detained Tuface and pressured him to cancel the protest. Tuface later denied these claims in a series of tweets from his official Twitter account.

Learn about the Peru Singer and Songwriter – Fireboy DML

Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan, professionally known as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer affiliated with the record label YBNL Nation, founded by Nigerian rapper Olamide. Born on February 5, 1996, Fireboy DML gained prominence with the release of his debut studio album titled “Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps” in 2019. His hit single “Jealous” earned him a nomination for Song of the Year and a win in the Listener’s Choice category at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.

Fireboy DML, hailing from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, spent his formative years in this environment. He was actively involved in his church choir, laying the foundation for his musical journey. It was during his time at Obafemi Awolowo University that Fireboy DML’s interest in music began to take shape.

Fireboy DML’S Breakthrough

Fireboy DML’s breakthrough came with the single “Jealous,” initially featured on YBNL Nation’s collaborative album “YBNL Mafia Family” in 2018. The song was later re-released on March 25, 2019. “Jealous” is characterized by guitar riffs, traditional drums, and percussion, blending African harmonies with elements of country and soul music. Produced by Cracker Mallo, the track explores themes of love and the intricate emotions associated with it. The music video for “Jealous” was directed by Director K.

Following the success of “Jealous,” Fireboy DML continued to make waves in the music scene. In June 2019, he released the romantic single “What If I Say,” produced by Pheelz. The song features a mix of percussion, ambient synth harmonies, and a drum riff. The accompanying music video, directed by TG Omori, added visual flair to the song. On August 1, 2019, Fireboy DML dropped another single, “King,” where he asserts his value to a love interest. The music video for “King,” also directed by TG Omori, showcases Fireboy and his love interest in a luxurious setting, including a rose petal-adorned Rolls-Royce and a fashion show runway.

Fireboy Studio Albums

Fireboy DML’s debut studio album, “Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps,” was released on November 29, 2019. Initially scheduled for November 25, the album features a brand of R&B that blends themes of love and social issues with empirical songwriting. Comprising 13 tracks, the album garnered over 6 million streams on Spotify within three days of its release. While it received generally positive reviews from critics, it faced criticism for being labeled an “Afro-Life” record rather than an R&B album. The singles “Jealous,” “What If I Say,” “King,” and the fan-favorite “Vibration” supported the album.

Fireboy DML’s sophomore album, “Apollo,” was released on August 17, 2020. The album received praise for its melodious, detailed, and effortless feel-good pop and R&B. It features introspective themes, exploring existential crises, ambition, love, lust, and depression. In 2021, Fireboy released the single “Peru,” showcasing his Afrobeats intelligence. He was also featured on Ladipoe’s “Running,” WSTRN’s “Be My Guest,” and Cheque’s “History.”

Fireboy made a musical appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing a medley of “Vibration” from “Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps” and “Champion” from “Apollo.” On December 24, 2021, he released a version of “Peru” with Ed Sheeran, which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 2 on the UK Official Singles Chart in 2022. On March 3, 2022, Fireboy was featured on the Sickick remix of Madonna’s 1998 single “Frozen,” and on July 6, 2022, he announced his third studio album titled “PLAYBOY,” set to be released by August 5, 2022.