As Tuface turns 40 Today..... This is a brief on the African Legend....

Tuface is one of the most popular Afrikan stars in the music industry. His real name is Innocent Ujah Idibia. Born in Nigeria, Tuface became famous not only as a singer, but as a songwriter and producer as well.

Early life

Innocent Idibia is from the Idoma ethnic group in Benue State, Nigeria. 2face went to Saint Gabriel Secondary School in Makurdi the Benue State capital. He Tuface later enrolled at theInstitute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, where he obtained his prelim National Diploma course in the department of business administration and management. Tuface started performing at college shows and parties; he was always at other regional schools and university like University of Nigeria and Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Tuface famously dropped out of school to pursue a career in music. While in school 2face composed a couple of jingles for the Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS) back in 1996. It was in 1996 when Innocent Idibia adopted the stage name “2Face” his reasoning being that he was “trying to separate his personal life and his business life.

Plantashun Boyz

Innocent Ujah Idibia  left Enugu for Lagos where he he met with rapper BlackFace now Black Face Naija. Tu face had met with BlackFace in IMT, so With Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo Aka Blackface and also with his another friend Chibuzor Oji now known as Faze went on to form the all famous band “The Plantashun Boyz”.

Plantashun Boyz went on to released a debut album and a follow up, while both were successful albums, their first was “Body and Soul” which was released in 2000 and then “Sold Out” in 2003 before going their separate ways in 2004. There disbanding was marred with a prolonged beef between “Faze vs Tuface” due to the nature of their break up. Everything was finally put to bed when the band had a comeback album when they came together in 2007 to record their third and final album titled “Plan B”.

Solo career

Tu face’s solo officially kicked off after the disbandment of the group in 2004, as all the three members went after their musical careers. Mr. Idibia’s debut solo album was released in 2004 titled “Face 2 Face” under the record platform of Kennis Music.

“Grass 2 Grace” released in 2006 was his second album, with hits such as “One Love”, “True Love, ” and 4 Instance”, “Grass 2 Grace” was his  last album with Kennis Music, He then found his own label “Hypertek Entertainment”.

“African Queen” his first album hit song was used as a soundtrack for “Phat Girlz”’. 2face under his “Hypertek Entertainment” he released “The Unstoppable” with single like “Enter the Place”. In 2010, he released the “international edition” of “The Unstoppable” making him first from Nigerian to have an appropriately priced international album to his credit.

2face in collaboration with R. Kelly and Prince Lee titled recorded “Hands Across the World” which is also part of Sony All African One8 Project alongside.

Tu face became the first non Liberian to be honoured with membership into the Liberian music society. It didn’t stop there as he was named the Red Cross ambassador society of Nigeria

Albums Till date

Tu Face’s Album till date includes “Face 2 Face” in 2004, “Grass 2 Grace” in 2006, “The Unstoppable” in 2008, “The Unstoppable International Edition” in 2010 and “The Ascension” in 2014.

Awards Won till date

Tu Face has amazingly won over forty awards and seven nominations both locally and internationally, these includes amongst others -

1.    Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry 2004 Award for Excellence

2.    Best Male Vocalist 2004 A.M.E.N Awards

3.    Best Hip Hop and R&B Artiste 2004 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York

4.    Musician of the Year 2004 City People Awards for Excellence

5.    Best Male Video 2005 Channel O Music Video Awards

6.    Best African Act 2005 Channel O Music Video Awards

7.    Best African Act 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards

8.    Best African Act 2005 Kora Awards

9.    Best Musical Artiste 2005 Afro Nollywood Awards

10.    African Song of the Year (Non Ghanaian) 2005 Ghana Music Awards

11.    Special Recognition Award 2005 Hip Hop World Awards

12.    The Outstanding Musician of the Year 2005 Black Heritage Awards for Excellence

13.    Best Song of the Year 2005 G.C.E International Awards

14.    Africa Break Through Artist of the Year 2006 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York

15.    Best Album of the Year 2007 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York

16.    Best R’n’B / Pop album 2008 Hip-Hop World Awards

17.    Best African Act 2008 Australian African Awards

18.    Best selling Nigerian Artist 2008 World Music Awards, Monaco, Spain

19.    Best R&B MTV Africa Music Awards 2009[31]

20.    Artist of the Year MTV Africa Music Awards 2010

21.    Best Male MTV Africa Music Awards 2010

22.    Most Gifted West African Video 2010 Channel O Music Video Awards [32]

23.    Best International Act: Africa BET Awards of 2011[34]

24.    Artist of the Year 2011 Hip-Hop World Awards – “The Headies” ETC...