By Ghazali Ibrahim
In a record breaking recognition for Afrobeats music, Billboard has officially named 2face Idibia’s timeless classic, “African Queen,” as the Best Afrobeats Song of All Time.
The recognition comes in a recent charts showing the “The top 10 of Billboard’s 50 Best Afrobeats Songs” widely shared across the platform social media.
Billboard is a leading American music and entertainment publication renowned for its authoritative charts, in-depth news coverage, reviews, and trend analysis within the music industry.
Established in 1894, it has grown from its early beginnings as an advertising trade magazine into a global media powerhouse.
Today, it publishes 2face’s African Queen as the best in its curated list “Top 10 Afrobeats Songs of all time”.
Released in the early 2000s, “African Queen” emerged as one of the earliest Afrobeats hits to transcend regional appeal, earning 2face acclaim across Africa and beyond.
Its soulful blend of romantic lyricism and Afrobeats rhythms played a pivotal role in elevating the genre on the global stage.
Billboard’s recent ranking places “African Queen” at the pinnacle, highlighting its enduring cultural impact and its status as a genre-defining anthem.
Fans had long reacted positively to the great impact of the song to the prominence of Afrobeats.
“In my opinion this was the song that brought Nigerian Afrobeats and Pop music to the entire African Continent. I remember my Dad’s neighbours in South Africa singing it,” a social media user commented.
Another user recalled its continental reach:
“African Queen—2 Face … this was the song that brought Nigerian Afrobeats … to the entire African Continent”.
In 2025, Nigerian rapper Blaqbonez in his interview at Cable lifestyle also named “African Queen” the greatest love song Nigeria ever produced, placing it at the top of his personal all-time Afrobeats list alongside classics like Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba” and Burna Boy’s “Ye” which also makes the list.
The top 10 list as gathered by BlackBox Nigeria are as follows:
1. “Africa Queen” by 2baba
2. “Ojuelegba” by Wizkid
3. “Nwa baby (Ashewo remix) by Flavour
4. “Calm down” by Rema
5. “Essence” by Wizkid ft Tems
6. “Love Nwantiti by Ckay
7. “Oliver Twist” by Dbanj
8. “Fall” by Davido
9. “Ye” by Burna Boy
10. “Chop my money (Remix)” by P-square ft Akon & May D
