Legendary Nigerian artist Innocent Idibia, famously known as 2Face or 2Baba, has shared heartfelt insights about his timeless hit African Queen, describing the song as both a “ blessing” and a “curse” in his life.
Speaking during a recent episode of an Entertainment & Lifestyle show, 2Face revealed that while “African Queen” played a pivotal role in catapulting his career to international recognition, it also come with its fair share of controversy and emotional weight.
“African Queen has been a very huge blessing, and e come turn to problem join for me. But I am grateful for everything,” he confessed.
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The song was released in 2004, African Queen marked a defining moment for the Afrobeats genre, earning 2Face accolades including the BET, MOBO, and MTV Europe Music Awards — making him the first African artist to achieve such a feat. The song became a love anthem across Africa and beyond, placing Nigerian music on the global map.
However, its legacy has not been without complications. For over two decades, African Queen has been mired in controversy, particularly surrounding its authorship. Former Plantashun Boiz member, Blackface, has repeatedly accused 2Face of stealing the song a claim 2Face has consistently denied. In past interviews, 2Face acknowledged the song was initially a collaborative effort but firmly rejected claims of theft.
The controversy resurfaced in August 2025, after Billboard named African Queen the “Greatest Afrobeats Song of All Time,” reigniting debates among fans and music critics.
