Entertainment | Africa Live News
Legendary Nigerian musician Innocent Ujah Idibia, widely known as 2Face or 2Baba, has opened up about the song that not only transformed his career but also became a defining chapter in African music history — “African Queen.”
Speaking on a recent episode of an Entertainment & Lifestyle show, the multiple award-winning artist described African Queen as the song that gave his career the spark it needed to rise to international prominence. However, he also admitted that the global hit has come with its share of burdens.
“African Queen has been a very huge blessing, and e come turn to problem join for me. But I am grateful for everything,” 2Face confessed, hinting at the complex emotions tied to his most celebrated work.
Released in 2004 as part of his debut solo album, Face 2 Face, the song instantly became an anthem across Africa and beyond. It was the breakthrough that catapulted 2Face to international stardom and earned him a place among the most influential musicians of his generation.
The soulful track — a tribute to the beauty, strength, and grace of African women — not only resonated with millions of fans worldwide but also broke barriers by introducing the modern Afrobeats sound to global audiences.
Following its success, African Queen went on to achieve remarkable milestones, making 2Face the first African artist to win major international awards such as the BET Award, the MTV Europe Music Award, and the MOBO Award. The song also featured prominently in Hollywood, appearing in the 2006 film Phat Girlz, which further extended its reach to audiences around the world.
Despite its triumph, African Queen has remained one of the most controversial songs in Nigerian music history. The track’s authorship has long been contested, with 2Face’s former Plantashun Boiz bandmate, Blackface, repeatedly claiming that 2Face stole the song from him.
The controversy first surfaced shortly after the group disbanded in the early 2000s, and it has persisted for over two decades. Blackface has consistently alleged that he was the original creator of African Queen, sparking public debates and online feuds between the two former collaborators.
2Face, however, has always maintained his innocence. In previous interviews, he admitted that the song was a product of collaborative creativity during their time together as members of the Plantashun Boiz, but denied claims of theft.
“African Queen was a group effort back in the day. Everyone contributed something in one way or another,” 2Face explained in an earlier conversation. “But as a solo artist, I developed it into what people know today.”
The song’s legacy has continued to grow, despite the controversy surrounding it. In August 2025, Billboard named African Queen the “Greatest Afrobeats Song of All Time,” a recognition that reignited the long-standing debate between fans and industry insiders. While many hailed 2Face for his creativity and global impact, others revisited the questions surrounding the song’s origin.
For 2Face, however, African Queen remains a deeply personal creation — one that defined his musical identity and positioned Nigerian music on the global stage. He acknowledges that while the fame and recognition it brought him are immeasurable, the weight of expectations and controversies have been equally challenging.
“It’s a blessing that also comes with pressure,” he once remarked in another interview. “People expect you to keep producing another ‘African Queen’ every time you drop a song. But some songs happen once in a lifetime — you just can’t recreate that magic.”
Indeed, the timelessness of African Queen continues to inspire new generations of African artists who see 2Face as a pioneer who opened the door for Afrobeats’ global acceptance.
Over the years, the song has been remixed, covered, and performed at major events across the continent. Its lyrics, celebrating African womanhood, have stood the test of time and remain one of the most quoted lines in African pop music.
Music analysts believe that part of African Queen’s enduring appeal lies in its authenticity — a simple love ballad built on African rhythm and heartfelt emotion, released at a time when African pop was still emerging on the international scene.
Entertainment critic Toyin Adewale described the song as “a cultural landmark that marked the beginning of Afrobeats’ global journey.”
“Before African Queen, African music was largely localized,” Adewale noted. “2Face created a sound that was proudly African but also globally appealing — it was soft, romantic, and deeply soulful. That was new for the time.”
Even two decades after its release, African Queen remains one of the most streamed African songs globally. Its impact has outlived musical trends, maintaining relevance in weddings, movie soundtracks, and playlists across the world.
As 2Face reflects on his journey, he acknowledges that fame, while rewarding, also brings scrutiny. Yet, he insists that his gratitude outweighs the challenges.
“Every song has its own story, but African Queen is the one that changed my life forever. I can never run away from it, even if I wanted to,” he said with a smile.
The legendary artist, who continues to influence the next generation of Nigerian musicians, says his focus now is on mentoring young talents and using his platform to promote African unity and creativity.
“Music gave me everything I have today. Now it’s time to give back to the industry that made me,” he said.
With his humility, longevity, and timeless catalogue, 2Face remains one of the most respected figures in African music. African Queen may have been both a blessing and a burden, but it is undeniably the song that turned Innocent Idibia into a continental icon — and a global ambassador for African sound.
📱 Follow Africa Live News for More Entertainment Updates
🔹 Instagram: @africalivenews
🔹 Twitter (X): @africalivenews2
🔹 Facebook: Africa Live News
