2Baba: ‘African Queen Has Been a Blessing and a Problem in My Life’

Legendary Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face or 2Baba, has opened up about the double-edged impact of his timeless hit song, African Queen, calling it both a blessing and a burden in his decades-long career.

Speaking on the Entertainment & Lifestyle Show, which began trending on Sunday, the iconic artiste said the 2004 classic was the turning point of his career, even though it has also come with its share of challenges.

“That song has been a very huge blessing — and e don turn to problem join for me,” 2Baba admitted. “But like I said earlier, I’m grateful for everything.”

Reflecting on his journey, the Face 2 Face crooner noted that while African Queen remains his most celebrated track, he has created many other songs that fans love deeply.

“There are so many other songs I have that are brilliant, and many people resonate with them too,” he added.

Released in 2004 as part of his debut solo album, Face 2 Face, African Queen catapulted 2Baba to international stardom, earning him major awards including BET, MTV Europe, and MOBO honours — making him the first African artist to win all three.

However, the song’s legacy has not been without controversy. His former Plantashun Boiz bandmate, Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo, popularly known as Blackface, has repeatedly accused him of song theft, a claim 2Baba has consistently denied.

He maintains that African Queen was a collaborative effort from their band days and not an act of plagiarism.

The long-running debate resurfaced in August 2025, after Billboard named African Queen the “Greatest Afrobeats Song of All Time.”