Innocent Idibia — 2Face, now 2Baba — is one of the founding fathers of modern Nigerian pop. His 2004 song “African Queen” is still called one of the greatest Afrobeats songs ever. In 2025 his personal life made headlines when he split from Annie Macaulay and married Edo lawmaker Natasha Osawaru.
Quick facts
| Real name | Innocent Ujah Idibia |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 September 1975, Jos, Plateau State (Idoma, from Benue State) |
| Group | Plantashun Boiz (with Blackface and Faze), until 2004 |
| Albums | Face 2 Face (2004), Grass 2 Grace (2006), The Unstoppable (2009), Away and Beyond (2012), The Ascension (2014), Rewind, Select, Update (2015), Warriors (2020) |
| Label | Hypertek Digital |
| Spouse | Natasha Osawaru (married 2025); previously Annie Macaulay-Idibia (2012–2025) |
Plantashun Boiz
2Face started as part of the Plantashun Boiz trio with Blackface and Faze, formed while he studied at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. They released two albums before splitting in 2004.
African Queen
His solo debut Face 2 Face (2004) included “African Queen”, a simple love song that crossed into Hollywood (it was used in the film Phat Girlz) and became an anthem across Africa. In 2025 Billboard ranked it number one on its list of the best Afrobeats songs of all time.
A long run of hits
- “Nfana Ibaga”
- “Implication”
- “Enter the Place”
- “If Love Is a Crime”
- “Only Me”
- “Rainbow”
- “Diaspora Woman”
He has won an MTV Europe Music Award, a BET Award, a World Music Award and several Headies Song of the Year awards. He also campaigns on social issues, including peaceful elections and youth participation.
Personal life
2Baba has seven children with three women. He married actress Annie Macaulay in 2012; they announced their separation in January 2025. Weeks later he went public with Edo State House of Assembly member Natasha Osawaru, and they married in 2025.
