Nigerian music veteran, Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly called 2Baba, is set to make a return to the album scene with the release of his forthcoming project, ‘Oldest Young Man’, which is his first full-length studio album in six years.
The 16-track album is scheduled to be released on November 27, 2026, marking his first studio album since ‘Warriors’, which was released in February 2020.
The award-winning singer first hinted at the project in August through a social media post, where he described it as a reflection of his experiences and continued relevance in the music industry.
“I’ve lived it. I’ve seen it. I’m still here. My new album, OLDEST YOUNG MAN, is coming soon,” he wrote.
2Baba offered fans an early taste of the project at a listening party held on September 19 in Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of activities marking his 51st birthday.
The event attracted family members, friends and popular entertainment personalities, including his mother, Rose Idibia; his children; former Plantashun Boiz bandmate Faze; music executives Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye; and singers Wande Coal, Tony Tetuila and Spyro.
One of the highlights of the gathering was a freestyle performance by 2Baba and Faze, which brought back memories of their days in Plantashun Boiz, the group they formed alongside Blackface before pursuing their individual careers.
2Baba also released a new single, Mental, featuring rising Nigerian artiste Fave, on September 18, his exact birthday. Produced by Dee Yasso, the song brought together the veteran musician and one of the younger voices in contemporary Nigerian music.
Born in Jos, Plateau State, 2Baba began his music career in the late 1990s as a member of Plantashun Boiz. The group gained prominence with albums such as Body and Soul (2000) and Sold Out (2003) before the group eventually split.
Subsequently, he launched his solo career with the release of Face 2 Face in 2004. The album featured African Queen, which became a continental hit and established him as one of Africa’s leading music stars.
Over the years, he has released several successful albums, including Grass 2 Grace (2006), The Unstoppable (2009), Away and Beyond (2012), The Ascension (2014) and Warriors (2020).
His last album, Warriors, featured collaborations with prominent artistes such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Olamide and Peruzzi. The 13-track project included songs such as Opo, Amaka and Oyi.
Despite the six-year gap between albums, 2Baba has remained active in the music industry through singles and collaborations. In October 2024, he released ‘Kuku Google Am’, produced by Duktor Sett.
The forthcoming album also follows his celebration of 25 years in the music industry in 2025, when he reflected on his musical journey and acknowledged those who contributed to his success.
Meanwhile, the singer has continued to connect with international audiences through his The Baba Experience tour, an eight-city UK and Ireland tour that commenced in London on August 21, 2026, with stops in Manchester, Sunderland, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Reading, Derby and Dublin.
Although the complete tracklist and additional featured artistes have yet to be unveiled, Oldest Young Man is expected to showcase the singer’s musical evolution and experiences for over two decades in the industry.
