2Face Idibia Calls ‘African Queen’ a Blessing and Burden

2Face Idibia says his hit “African Queen” is both a blessing and a burden, reflecting on fame, pressure and controversy over its enduring legacy.

2Face Idibia African Queen — Nigerian music icon 2Face Idibia has revealed that his signature hit, African Queen, has been both a blessing and a burden throughout his long career.

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Speaking on the Entertainment & Lifestyle show, the legendary singer reflected on the song’s profound impact, admitting that while it brought him fame, it also came with pressure and controversy.

“That song has been a huge blessing and e don turn to problem join for me, you know. But like I said earlier, I’m grateful for everything,” 2Face said with a smile.

Released in 2004, African Queen catapulted 2Face — also known as 2Baba — into international stardom. The timeless love ballad earned him multiple awards, broke continental boundaries, and helped define the early era of Afrobeats as a global sound.

However, the success of the record was later clouded by disputes, particularly accusations from his former bandmate Blackface, who claimed the song was stolen.

2Face has repeatedly denied the allegation, maintaining that African Queen emerged from collaborative sessions during their Plantashun Boiz days.

Despite the long-running controversy, 2Face said he remains deeply grateful for the track’s place in his life and African music history.

“There are so many other songs I have that are brilliant, and many people resonate with them too,” he said, adding that African Queen merely opened the doors for a rich catalogue that continues to evolve.

The song’s legendary status was recently reaffirmed when Billboard named it the Greatest Afrobeats Song of All Time — a testament to its enduring cultural influence across generations.

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For 2Face, the legacy of African Queen remains a story of duality — a melody that gave him the world and a shadow he continues to live under, with gratitude and grace.