D Accolades: CELEBRATING AFRO HIP HOP ICON, INNOCENT TUFACE UJAH IDIBIA AT 41

One of Africa's biggest and most established Legendary Act, 2face Idibia (2 baba) turns 41 today, 18th September, 2015. Some say he is the best of his generation, many say he is the most successful contemporary music artiste in Nigeria today. He is one of the most decorated and successful Afro pop artists in Africa. He is also one of the most bankable artists in Africa.

FACT-FILE

* Innocent Ujah Idibia was born 18 September 1975 in Jos, Nigeria. He is from the Idoma ethnic group in the southern part of Benue State, in central Nigeria

* He attended Saint Gabriela'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.

* 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.

* 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 officially discontinued the use of the name Tuface and selected 2baba or Tu-baba as his stage name.

* 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. Long after the break-up, the band came back together in 2007 for the purpose of recording a third and final album entitled Plan B (2007)

* After leaving the music label Kennis Music in 2007, he set up his own record label known as Hypertek Entertainment.

*The African musician whose influence is remarkable in Tuface’s music is Fela. He however has a thing for Bongos Ikwue, Oliver De Coque, Hugh Masekela from South Africa, and many more.

*Tuface has seven children from three different women. Although he is married to Annie Macauley, who they both have two girls together, he also has children from Pero Adeniyi and Sumbo Ajaba who is happily married. The names of the children are Nino Idibia and Zino Idibia(Pero) Justin Idibia, Rose Idibia and Innocent Idibia,(Sumbo) Isabella Idibia and Olivia Idibia (Annie).

*Out of the famous global ‘brand’, he has met in his life; Wyclef Jean stands out for him, considering his kind of spirit and his humility.

* Tuface is the first Nigerian artist to have an appropriately priced international album after the release of The Unstoppable –International Edition in 2010.

LAUDABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

* 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 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.

* 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.

* He partnered with CECP-Nigeria (Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy) to further increase awareness with plans to launch Mobile Cancer Centers (MCC) to promote holistic health to rural communities.

* The FORTYfied All-Star Tribute Concert was an all-star tribute concert organized by 2face Idibia to celebrate his 40th birthday and influence in the music of Nigeria.