‘African Queen’ gave me fame, but also trouble — 2Face

Renowned Nigerian artist, Innocent Idibia, widely recognized as 2Face or 2Baba, has characterized his popular track African Queen as both a blessing and a burden throughout his extensive career.

During an appearance on the Entertainment & Lifestyle show that gained traction on Sunday, the seasoned musician remarked that the 2004 classic provided a pivotal moment in his career, despite also presenting numerous challenges over the years.

He stated, “That song has been a very huge blessing and it has also turned into a problem for me, you know, but as I mentioned earlier, I’m thankful for everything.

In reflecting on his career, 2Face noted that while African Queen is his most iconic track, he has produced many other songs that resonate deeply with his fans.

“There are so many other songs I have that are brilliant, and many people connect with them as well,” he expressed.

The song, which was released in 2004 as part of his debut solo album Face 2 Face, propelled 2Face to global recognition and solidified his position as one of Africa’s foremost music ambassadors.

The track garnered him numerous accolades, including BET, MTV Europe, and MOBO awards, making him the first African artist to achieve all three honors.

Nevertheless, the song’s legacy has been marred by controversy, as his former Plantashun Boiz bandmate, Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo, known as Blackface, has repeatedly accused him of song theft.

2Face has steadfastly refuted these allegations, asserting that African Queen was a collaborative creation during their time in the band and not an act of plagiarism.

The ongoing dispute reemerged in August 2025 when Billboard recognized African Queen as the ‘Greatest Afrobeats Song of All Time’.