2Face Reflects on ‘African Queen’ Legacy, Says Hit Song Was a Blessing and a Burden

Legendary Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face or 2Baba, has reflected on the impact of his timeless hit track, African Queen, describing it as both a major blessing and a source of challenges in his career.

Speaking during a recent Entertainment & Lifestyle programme, 2Face said the song, released in 2004, transformed his life and propelled him to global fame, but also brought controversies he has had to manage for years.

“African Queen has been a very huge blessing, and e come turn to problem join for me. But I am grateful for everything,” he said.

African Queen became one of Africa’s most celebrated love songs, contributing to 2Face’s meteoric rise. The classic earned him several international honours, including the BET Award, MTV Europe Award, and MOBO Award, making him one of the first African artists to gain such widespread recognition.

However, the song has remained at the centre of a prolonged dispute involving former Plantashun Boiz bandmate Blackface, who has repeatedly claimed ownership of the track. While Blackface insists he wrote the song, 2Face has maintained that it was a collaborative effort during their time together as a group.

The debate resurfaced earlier this year after Billboard ranked African Queen as the “Greatest Afrobeats Song of All Time” in 2025, sparking renewed public discussion and commentary across social media.

Despite the lingering controversy, 2Face expressed gratitude for the song’s enduring influence, noting that it shaped his legacy, opened global doors, and remains a cornerstone of Afrobeats history—even as it continues to attract scrutiny.

He added that African Queen gave him fame, recognition and cultural impact, but also years of accusations, pressure and public debate that have followed him for over two decades.