Music veteran Innocent "2Baba" Idibia celebrated his 51st birthday in style on Saturday with an album listening party held in Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, which drew prominent entertainment figures, including Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo "D1" Adeneye, Wande Coal, and African China, gave guests a chance to preview his forthcoming album, "Oldest Young Man". The party was attended by 2Baba's children, mother, and friends.
Notable absences at the event included Natasha Osawaru, the Edo State lawmaker and 2Baba's partner, and the mothers of his children: Annie Macaulay, Sunmbo Adeoye, and Pero Adeniyi. Blackface, with whom 2Baba had a long-running dispute over song ownership and royalties, was also absent. The reasons for their absences were not immediately clear. The event, however, featured a nostalgic performance by 2Baba and Faze, revisiting their years as members of Plantashun Boiz.
The singer's children and his mother, Rose Idibia, joined him onstage to cut his birthday cake. The performance by 2Baba and Faze drew loud applause from the audience. Plantashun Boiz was one of Nigeria's influential music groups in the late 1990s before its members pursued solo careers. 2Baba began his birthday activities on Friday with the release of "Mental", a collaboration with singer Fave.
The album listening party gave guests a chance to hear songs from "Oldest Young Man" ahead of its official release. Mallam Yankee, 2Baba's manager, said the activities surrounding the birthday marked the beginning of a new phase in his career. The new chapter would see 2Baba pursue more projects while continuing to build on his decades-long music career.
Born on 18 September 1975, 2Baba rose to national prominence as a member of Plantashun Boiz before launching a successful solo career. His 2004 debut solo album, Face 2 Face, featured "African Queen", the hit song that helped establish him as one of the leading figures in contemporary African music. 2Baba also used the occasion to introduce 2Baba Jollof, a new food business representing another step into entrepreneurship for the music star.
Relationship speculation has been surrounding 2Baba and Natasha following an alleged confrontation at the launch of the '90s Lounge in Abuja in August. An eyewitness claimed that Natasha arrived at the venue with a group of men and attempted to speak with 2Baba, leading to a commotion outside the lounge. The incident fuelled speculation about tensions between the couple.
2Baba has been through significant personal changes recently, including his separation from Annie Macaulay, with whom he has two daughters, in January 2025. Sunmbo Adeoye, who has two sons with 2Baba, is now married to Pastor David Adeoye, founder and senior pastor of Royalty Christian Centre. Despite the changes, 2Baba seems focused on his music and new ventures.
Key points
- 2Baba celebrated his 51st birthday with an album listening party, previewing his forthcoming album "Oldest Young Man".
- Natasha Osawaru, 2Baba's partner, was absent from the event amid speculation about their relationship.
- The event marked the beginning of a new phase in 2Baba's career, with plans for more projects and entrepreneurship ventures.
