Legendary Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, widely known as 2Face, has opened up about the impact of his timeless hit, African Queen, describing it as both a blessing and a burden in his career.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Entertainment & Lifestyle Show, the music icon acknowledged that the 2004 classic played a defining role in launching him into global recognition.
“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.
According to 2Face, the success of African Queen marked a major turning point that not only shaped his musical journey but also came with its share of challenges.
The song, which gained worldwide acclaim, helped him make history as the first African artist to win the BET, MTV Europe, and MOBO Awards.
However, the track has long been trailed by controversy, as 2Face’s former bandmate Blackface has repeatedly accused him of stealing the song.
2Face, in a previous interview, clarified that African Queen was originally a collaboration with his ex-band members but denied any act of theft.
Two decades after its release, the debate surrounding the song’s authorship resurfaced in August 2025, when Billboard named African Queen the “greatest Afrobeats song of all time.”
