By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel
Ace music executive and CEO of Kennis Music, Kenny Ogungbe, has shared insights into the iconic singer 2Face Idibia’s early career and the challenges of managing his rising fame.
Speaking on the popular podcast The Honest Bunch, Ogungbe, fondly called Baba Keke, revealed how the record label made concerted efforts to protect 2Face—now known as 2Baba—from womanising during his time with Kennis Music.
Ogungbe disclosed that while 2Face was under their label, they actively shielded him from the numerous women vying for his attention. However, this control ended when the artist left the label.
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“When 2Face was with us [at Kennis Music], we prevented him from seeing girls. Girls come to look for him all the time, but we didn’t allow him to see any of them. But when he left our record label, there was nothing we could do about the situation anymore,” Ogungbe explained.
He further shared that even when comedians began making jokes about 2Baba’s womanising reputation, he refrained from intervening.
“Even when he was becoming the butt of the jokes of some comedians [for being a womaniser], I didn’t call him to question him because he’s a mature man. Every man has his cross,” Ogungbe added.
2Face Idibia, now 2Baba, remains one of Africa’s most celebrated music artists. He rose to prominence as part of the music trio Plantashun Boiz before launching a successful solo career.
His 2004 hit track “African Queen” catapulted him to international fame, solidifying his place as a pioneer in modern Nigerian music. However, alongside his musical achievements, 2Baba made headlines for his relationships, fathering children with multiple women before marrying Nollywood actress Annie Idibia in 2012.
Kennis Music, co-founded by Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo “D1” Adeneye, is one of Nigeria’s most influential record labels, credited with shaping the country’s contemporary music scene.
Known for nurturing iconic talents such as 2Face, Sound Sultan, and Eedris Abdulkareem, the label has been pivotal in bringing Nigerian music to global prominence.
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