By Ghazali Ibrahim
Legendary Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, says his iconic hit, African Queen, remains the song that transformed his career but also one that has brought him significant challenges.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Entertainment & Lifestyle show, the award-winning singer acknowledged the powerful impact the 2004 classic has had on his rise to global fame.
“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.
The track, released as part of his debut solo album, propelled 2Face into international stardom, earning him major honours including BET, MTV Europe, and MOBO awards, a first for an African artist at the time.
However, the song has been trailed by a long-running dispute over its ownership. His former Plantashun Boiz bandmate, Blackface, has repeatedly accused him of stealing the song.
He previously clarified that the track was originally a collaborative effort, not an act of theft.
More than 20 years after its release, African Queen continues to spark debate. A new wave of controversy emerged in August 2025 when Billboard ranked it the “Greatest Afrobeats Song of All Time,” reigniting discussions around its creation.
Despite the lingering tensions, 2Face says he remains thankful for the legacy the song has given him and the milestone it represents in Afrobeats history.
