Celebrating 2face, born Innocent Ujah Idibia; The Successful Nigerian Music Ambassador

Innocent Ujah Idibia was born in Jos, Nigeria. (September 18 1976). He is from the Idoma ethnic group in the southern part of Benue State in central Nigeria. He attended Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School in Makurdi, Benue State. He enrolled at Institute of Management & Technology Enugu (IMT), where he did his preliminary National Diploma course in business administration and management. While attending IMT, he performed at school organised shows and parties, as well as other regional schools such as the University of Nigeria and Enugu State University of Science & Technology. He eventually dropped out to pursue his music career. While attending IMT, 2face Idibia started composing and singing jingles at the GB Fan Club at Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS) in 1996. Also in 1996, he adopted the stage name “2Face” (Tuface). He cited the reason as “trying to demarcate my personal life with my business life.”

He moved to Lagos and started performing with rapper Blackface Naija. He had met BlackFace while attending IMT. With Blackface (Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo) and with musician Faze (Chibuzor Oji), he went on to form the trio band, Plantashun Boiz. 

Plantashun Boiz released two successful albums: Body and Soul (2000) and Sold Out (2003) under the Nelson Brown’s owned Label (Dove Records) before disbanding in 2004. Relations were marred for many years during which the band broke up and its members started their solo careers. Long after the break-up known as the “Faze vs Tuface” beef, the band came back together in 2007 for the purpose of recording a third and final album entitled Plan B (2007). After the disbandment of Plantashun Boyz in 2004, all band members sought separate musical careers. 

2Face Idibia released his debut solo album Face 2 Face (2004), which established him as a viable solo artist.Following the release of his debut album, he released his second album, Grass 2 Grace in 2006, which contained hits “One Love”, “True Love, “4 Instance”. 

Upon leaving the music label Kennis Music, he set up his own record label known as Hypertek Entertainment. He is part of the Sony All African One8 Project alongside seven other musicians across Africa recording a single with R. Kelly and Prince Lee titled “Hands Across the World”. 

He is the first non-Liberian to become an honorary member of the Liberian music society in recognition for his outstanding contribution to the growth of music in Africa.He has been named Red cross ambassador society of Nigeria. 2face has several collaborations all over the globe, giving his collaborators the opportunity to win an awards for each duet such as Street Credibility by 9ice, Possibility by P-square and lots more. He is adored by his colleagues and every entertainer in Nigeria music industry as a role model.

2Face has experienced near-death events, including gunshots from an armed robbery. 

On 2 May 2012, 2Face Idibia and Annie Macaulay married in Lagos,Nigeria in a private ceremony. 2Face announced his marriage via his Twitter page. Annie Macaulay and 2Face had their traditional wedding on 8 March 2013 in Eket, Akwa-Ibom State Nigeria. The couple also had a white wedding in Dubai, on Saturday 23 March 2013 with Nigerian and Ghanaian celebrities all present to see the long term couple tie the knot.  2face has 7 children from 4 different women.

2Face has established an NGO called 2Face Idibia Reach-Out Foundation whose motto is “service to humanity”.

In 2009, 2Face was appointed as ambassador by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

He released a song “Man Unkind” to raise awareness on the menace of fake and sub-standard food and drug products in Nigeria. In 2009, he was presented with the prestigious International Youth Ambassador for Peace Summit and the Nigeria Youth Merit Award by the National Youth Council of Nigeria in recognition of his contributions to youth development in Nigeria. 

2face is presently one of the Judges in The Voice Nigeria.

Discography:

We are so proud to celebrate this Nigerian Legendary Musician.

Credit: McCoy Major Golding