Innocent Idibia was born on September 18, 1975, in Jos, and he is from the Idoma ethnic group in the Southern part of Benue.
2Baba started his National Diploma programme in business administration and management from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT). He started his musical career while he was in IMT. He performed at shows and parties, as well as other regional schools such as the University of Nigeria and Enugu State University of Science and Technology. He later dropped out to pursue music fully.
In 1996, 2Baba composed and sang jingles at Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS). He embraced the stage name ‘2face’ or ‘Tu Face’ in 1996 and officially changed it to 2Baba in 2016.
2Baba partnered with Blackface and Faze, to form the trio band, Plantashun Boiz in 2000.
Under Dove Records, the band released two successful albums; Body and Soul in 2000 and Sold Out in 2003. In 2004, the band broke up, and its members went their separate ways to start their solo careers. In 2007, they came back together to record a third and final album titled, Plan B.
ALBUMS
2020 – Warriors
2014 – The Ascension
2012 – Away and Beyond
2010 – The Unstoppable International Edition
2009 – The Unstoppable
2006 – Grass 2 Grace
2004 – Face 2 Face
AWARDS
2019 – National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Honorary Graduate (Bachelor of Art)
2019 – Fellow of the School of Music, Obafemi Awolowo University, Music Department
2014 – Ben TV Awards, Best International Collaboration (Rainbow ft T-Pain)
2014 – The Headies, Best R‘n’B Single (Let Somebody Love You)
2014 – Ben TV Awards, Album of the Year (Ascension)
2011 – Africa BET Awards, Best International Act
2011 – Hip-Hop World Awards, Album of the Year
2011 – The Headies, Album of the Year
2010 – Channel O Music Video Awards, Most Gifted West African Video
2010 – Sound City Awards, Best Western
2010 – MTV African Music Awards, Best Male
2010 – MTV Africa Music Awards, Artist of the Year
2010 – Sound City Awards, Best Pop Video (Implication)
2009 – MTV Africa Music Awards, Best Male
2009 – MTV Africa Music Awards, Best Video (Enter the Place)
2009 – MTV Africa Music Awards, Best R&B
2008 – World Music Awards, Monaco, Spain, Best Selling Nigeria Artist
2008 – Hip-Hop World Awards, Best R&B/Pop Album
2008 – Australian African Awards, Best African Act
2007 – MOBO Awards, Best African Act
2007 – Nigeria Entertainment Awards, New York, Best Album of the Year
2006 – The Future Awards, Musician of the Year
2006 – Nigeria Entertainment Awards, New York, Africa Breakthrough Artist of the Year
2005 – Channel O Music Video Awards, Best Male Video
2005 – Channel O Music Video Awards, Best African Act
2005 – Channel O Music Video Awards, Best African Video of the Year
2005 – Kora Awards, Best African Act
2005 – Black Heritage Awards for Excellence, Outstanding Musician of the Year
2005 – Afro Nollywood Award, Best Musical Artiste
2005 – Ghana Music Awards, African Song of the Year (Non-Ghanaian)
2005 – Hip-Hop Awards, Special Recognition
2005 – G.C.E International Awards, Best Song of the Year
2005 – MTV Europe Music Awards, Best African Act
2004 – Nigerian Entertainment Awards, New York, Album of the Year
2004 – A.M.E.N Awards, Best Video
2004 – A.M.E.N Awards, Best Male Vocalist
2004 – A.M.E.N Awards, Song of the Year
2004 – A.M.E.N Awards, Best New Male Act
2004 – Excellence Recognition Awards, Music of the Year
2004 – Award for Excellence, Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry
2004 – City People Awards for Excellence, Musician of the Year
Nigeria Entertainment Awards, New York, Song of the Year (African Queen)
2004 – Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Best Hip-Hop and R&B Artiste
2002 – Affinity Awards, Best Male Vocalist
New Champions for an Enduring Culture, 16 Edition of the Annual THISDAY Awards presented by former US President Bill Clinton and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenneger
PERSONAL LIFE
2Baba married Annie Idibia, an award-winning actress, movie producer, model and serial entrepreneur, on May 2, 2012. They have two daughters; Olivia Idibia and Isabelle Idibia. 2Baba also fathered five children from two previous relationships.