Nigerian music icon Innocent “2Baba” Idibia marked his 51st birthday with an intimate album listening party for his forthcoming project, Oldest Young Man, bringing together family, friends and leading figures from Nigeria’s entertainment industry. The celebration was held on September 19 in Victoria Island, Lagos, a day after the singer’s birthday and the release of his new single Mental, featuring Fave. According to Voice of Nigeria, the event was designed to give invited guests an early listen to 2Baba’s forthcoming album while celebrating more than two decades of his contribution to Nigerian music. His mother, Rose Idibia, and several of his children joined him for the birthday celebration, while guests included Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo “D1” Adeneye, Wande Coal, Faze, Tony Tetuila, Ayo Makun and Spyro.
The listening party also became a showcase of 2Baba’s enduring connections across generations of Nigerian music. One of the evening’s notable moments came when the singer reunited with former Plantashun Boiz bandmate Faze for a freestyle performance, revisiting the group that helped establish both artists before their solo careers. Mental, produced by Dee Yasso, serves as the first major release from the new album and pairs 2Baba’s established Afro pop sound with Fave’s contemporary style. According to Notjustok, Oldest Young Man will be 2Baba’s first full length album in six years, positioning the project as an important new chapter in the veteran artist’s catalogue.
Beyond music, the birthday celebration also introduced 2Baba Jollof, a new food business that adds another dimension to the singer’s growing entrepreneurial portfolio. His manager, Mallam Yankee, described the birthday activities as the beginning of a new phase for the artist, combining new music with business and other creative ventures. The development reflects how established African entertainers are increasingly extending their influence beyond recordings and performances into consumer brands and other commercial opportunities. As 2Baba prepares to release Oldest Young Man, the project arrives not simply as another album in an extensive catalogue, but as part of a broader career chapter for one of Nigeria’s most recognisable music figures.
