Some call him 2face Idibia, others call him 2baba. Officially, he is known by the name Innocent Idibia. In informal cycles, he is known as “the father of many nations”. In this article we will be making him known as the “father of controversies” in the Nigerian entertainment scene.
2face Idibia’s Foray Into The Mainstream Naija Music Scene
Innocent burst into the mainstream entertainment scene in the late 90s when he teamed up with the Remedies crew.
Under the tutelage of Eddie Montana and Idris AbdulKarim, 2face Idibia slowly came up into the Nigerian mainstream music scene. Many do not know that he was the one singing, “s’ere o, s’ere ayo” (playing o, playing ayo [a Yoruba traditional board game]); in the background of their smash hit “Omode meta n s’ere”. The song is a modern day remix of the popular Yoruba folk music sung by children during play.
The song was infused with hip hop and afrobeats, and its title translates to mean “three children are playing”.
After rolling with the Remedies crew for a while, 2face Idibia decided to take it up a notch. He partnered with two other talented Nigerian music artists, Faze also known as Chibuzor Oji; Black face also known as Ahmedu Obiab. The trio formed the music group known popularly as Plantashaun Boiz.
Plantashaun Boiz gathered immense publicity and fan base with hit singles like “Plantashaun Boiz”, “Don’t You Know”, “Knock Me Off”, and “Body and Soul.”
2face Idibia was the lead singer in the group with Faze given backup melodies and Black Face coming in as the dedicated group rapper.
They spent the later part of the late 1990s and early 2000s entertaining Nigerians and helping build the local hip hop and pop genre which would later come to be known worldwide as Afrobeats.
2face Idibia’s Plantatshaun Boiz Controversy
Controversy hits 2face Idibia and the group with issues some believe to be bad blood among the trio bothering of favoritism by their record label, Dove records. Critics believe that 2face Idibia was singled out by the management to be the golden boy of the group and obviously put more attention on him than the rest.
Others believe that the split was primarily due to individual aspirations for solo careers and internal disagreements. 2face Idibia, in particular, sought to pursue a solo career with Kennis Music, which led to tensions within the group.
The group broke up and 2face Idibia got back into this scene a few years later as a solo artist signed under the Kennis Music label. He released the “Face 2 Face” album breaking up smash hits like “Infana ibaga” and “Ole”. Topping world charts on the album is the hit track, “African Queen” which is 2face Idibia’s most popular track to date.
Despite a brief reunion in 2007 for their third album, “Plan B,” the members eventually continued on their separate paths in the music industry.
In a recent interview, music executive Kenny Ogungbe addressed rumors that he was responsible for the group’s breakup. He clarified that Plantashun Boiz had already parted ways before 2face Idibia approached him for a solo deal. Ogungbe stated, “2face Idibia came to me himself after the group had broken up that he wanted to sign with Kennis music.”
2face Idibia’s Controversy With Black Face
The Face 2 Face album came with controversy as “African Queen” became a worldwide hit. The music garnered more attention when it was used in American Actress, Mo’nique’s “Phat Girls” movie, earning 2face Idibia and Kennis Music some juicy royalties and international fame.
Years later, Blackface came forward on social media to claim that the African Queen track was written by him and that 2face Idibia sang it without crediting him as the writer.
Black face also claimed to have also written the “Let somebody live you” track.
He further revealed to have written the songs while both of them were members of the defunct Plantation Boyz. He demanded to have his name attributed to the song and get a part of the royalties it brought.
2baba responded by filing a N50 million libel suit against Black Face. The case was taken to court and both parties were at each other’s throats until the matter was settled out of court by a mediator.
2face Idibia Kennis Music Exit
Another controversy came when 2face Idibia left Kennis Music in 2008. His reasons for leaving were reportedly due to issues related to creative control, financial disagreements, and a desire for independence. After the success of Face 2 Face (2004) and Grass 2 Grace (2006), he felt the need to have more control over his music and business decisions.
Some believe that Kennis Music were taking so much of the proceeds that 2face Idibia was buying hand-me-down cars from the music business icons.
He then launched his own record label, Hypertek Entertainment, under which he released The Unstoppable in 2008. His departure from Kennis Music was reportedly amicable, though there were rumors of financial disputes.
Kenny Ogungbe, the head of Kennis Music, backed this claim up, stating that there was no bad blood or hurt feelings about 2face Idibia leaving. He acknowledged 2face Idibia’s talent and readiness to venture out on his own.
2face Idibia And Mikel Obi Controversy
In 2006, reports emerged of a dispute between Nigerian singer 2face Idibia and footballer John Mikel Obi. The controversy centered on an alleged incident at a London nightclub, where Mikel was said to have snubbed 2face Idibia. This purported slight led to widespread speculation and discussions in the media.
In August 2023, Mikel Obi addressed these longstanding rumors. Responding to a fan’s inquiry on Instagram, he clarified that he never snubbed 2face Idibia and expressed his admiration for the musician. Mikel stated, “No, I never did. I am a big fan of his. So I wouldn’t do such a thing. Have a lovely day.”
Years earlier, in 2015, 2face Idibia also commented on the alleged incident during an interview with Channels Television. He downplayed the rumors, suggesting that any perceived tension was blown out of proportion and affirming that there was no animosity between them.
Despite these clarifications, the narrative persisted in public discourse. Some speculated that 2face Idibia’s 2010 song “Only Me” was a response to the incident, though this has never been confirmed by 2face Idibia himself.
A new light was shed on the matter when Mikel Obi recently opened, referring to 2face Idibia Idibia as a one of the “fake friends and a Pretender”.
He revealed that they both grew up in the city of Jos together, but 2face Idibia suddenly changed when he became famous and never wanted to reckon with his old timers anymore.
He claimed that it was the reason he snubbed the music star at the club as he felt 2face Idibia wanted to be seen with him when he became a successful footballer.
2face Idibia’s Infidelity Controversy
2baba Idibia and actress wife, Annie Macaulay-Idibia’s relationship has been fraught with challenges, primarily stemming from allegations of infidelity, which ultimately led to their separation in January 2025.
2Baba and Annie’s relationship began in the late 1990s. She even featured on his “African Queen” video. Despite facing challenges, including 2Baba fathering children with other women during their relationship, the couple married in 2012 and have two daughters together.
Throughout their marriage, 2Baba faced multiple allegations of infidelity. Annie publicly accused him of engaging in extramarital affairs, notably with his ex-partner Pero Adeniyi, with whom he shares children. These allegations led to public disputes and emotional distress for Annie.
The couple’s marital issues often played out in the public eye. In March 2022, during the Netflix reality series “Young, Famous & African,” Annie expressed her pain over 2Baba”s past infidelities, revealing that her first child with him was his fifth overall, highlighting the emotional turmoil she endured.
On January 26, 2025, 2Baba announced via Instagram that he and Annie had been separated for some time and were in the process of filing for divorce. Initially, he claimed his account was hacked, but later confirmed the separation was genuine.
The marriage between 2Baba and Annie Idibia was marred by allegations of infidelity and public disputes, leading to their eventual separation. Their relationship highlights the challenges that can arise in high-profile marriages under public scrutiny.
Final Words
We cannot tell what will happen next on 2face Idibia’s crumbling marriage. We here at Trickle Media hope that things will work out fine among the couple. There is no doubt that the man’s life is one big book of controversies. But that has not stopped him from becoming one of the most successful musical acts out of Naija.
