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Nigerian hip-hop singer, Innocent Idibia, better known as 2baba, marked his 44th birthday on Wednesday.
The singer also celebrated two decades in the music industry by unveiling Tboiz, a boy band which will perform at his ’20 Years A King Concert’.
Speaking at a media launch in Lagos, Nigeria, 2baba said that members of the band would include khiria Ayodele, Oche Peter, and Osaentin Jonathan.
They were announced as the winners of the Next Up talent search which ran from August 30 to September 9.
Apart from the vocalists, Apatira Olaseni was also announced as the winner of the Next Up video director search.
The Next Up Talent Search was adjudged by 2Baba, Cobhams Asuquo, a producer and video director Unlimited L.A, whilst final winners were selected through an online voting process
‘Legacy project’
2baba at the media launch, described Next Up as a legacy project.
“This platform will give these four young kings an opportunity to kick start their careers. Today, they will be performing at the Industry night special and soon, we will be recording a song together. The plan here is to make their voices heard and I am indeed proud to be a part of this project,” said 2baba.
The African Queen crooner explained that ‘20 Years A King’ is a celebration of two decades since he sang his first hit single ‘Knock Me Off’ while he was of the defunct Plantashun Boiz in 1999.
“It’s 20 years since I had my first hit record. Since then, I have consistently been at the top of the Nigerian music industry and I can be considered a top 10 music artiste in Nigeria,” he noted.
In his remarks, 2baba’s manager and Now Muzik CEO, Efe Omoregbe, explained, “What Tuface is celebrating is 20 years a King not 20 years on stage.
“20 years of a marketing machine, good sound, direction, conscious music, dance music, consistency, opening doors, A-list international awards, selling out shows.
“He made many artistes who are now at the top believe that they can make it, including some that used to live outside Nigeria.
“He’s been involved in helping others grow, humanitarian works, the success of elections, among others,” Omoregbe added.
Some activities lined up for the year include a book launch, a documentary, an album, merchandise, concerts, and parties.
Others are a ‘Campaign for Peace and Good Governance’, a ‘Radio Takeover’, an Industry Nite Special, the Abuja House Party with Campari, and 2Baba week finale at his Rumors Night Club, Festac.
