2Baba Responds to Decades-Long Controversy Over African Queen
Kehinde Adeleye
Nigerian music legend Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has described his iconic hit African Queen as the song that propelled his career to stardom and remains one of the tracks he resonates with most.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Entertainment & Lifestyle show, 2Face acknowledged the song’s dual impact: “African Queen has been a very huge blessing, and it has also come with its challenges. But I am grateful for everything.”
Released in 2004, African Queen brought 2Face international acclaim, making him the first African artist to win prestigious awards such as the BET, MTV Europe, and MOBO Awards.
However, the song has been at the centre of longstanding controversy over its authorship. 2Face’s former bandmate, Blackface, has repeatedly claimed that he originated the song and accused 2Face of taking credit. In previous interviews, 2Face acknowledged that African Queen began as a collaboration with his former bandmates but denied stealing it.
The debate over the song’s authorship has persisted for more than two decades. The controversy resurfaced recently after Billboard named African Queen the “greatest Afrobeats song of all time” in August 2025, reigniting discussions about its origins.
Despite the disputes, the song remains a defining milestone in 2Face’s career and a beloved anthem across Africa and the globe.
2Face Idibia, African Queen, Blackface, Afrobeats, Nigerian music, BET Awards, MTV Europe Awards, MOBO Awards, song controversy, Billboard, music industry, Nigerian entertainment, iconic songs, music legacy
