2Face Says African Queen Brought Him Fame and Challenges in His Music Journey
Nigerian music legend Innocent Ujah Idibia MON, popularly known as 2Face or 2Baba, has spoken openly about the lasting impact of his timeless hit song African Queen. The song, released in 2004, remains one of the most celebrated love songs in Africa and played a major role in making 2Face a global icon. It did not only win the hearts of fans across the world, but it also helped position Nigeria as a force in the rise of Afrobeats on the international stage.
During a recent appearance on an Entertainment & Lifestyle programme, 2Face shared that African Queen has been one of the biggest blessings of his life. The song came at a time when the African music industry was still building its identity globally, and it helped push both his name and Nigerian music into new territories. It opened doors to international recognition, global performances, awards, endorsements, and collaborations that would have taken much longer to achieve without a defining breakthrough hit like that.
He explained that the love the song continues to receive, even after two decades, makes him feel deeply honored. The track holds emotional value not only for him but also for many listeners who connected with its message of admiration, beauty, and appreciation of African women. For many fans, African Queen is more than a song — it is a cultural memory and a romantic anthem that symbolizes the golden era of early Afrobeats.
However, 2Face also shared that the song came with another side that many people are not aware of. He described the song as both a blessing and a problem. The massive success and emotional attachment people have to African Queen created expectations that were sometimes difficult to meet. It became the song people constantly compared his other works to, and some fans expected him to repeatedly produce music that would create the same magic. This pressure can be overwhelming for an artist who is constantly evolving and exploring new sounds.
Apart from career pressure, the song also became linked to his personal life and relationships, especially given the public interest surrounding his marriage to Annie Idibia, who was featured in the original music video. Over the years, the song has been referenced in discussions about his love life, sometimes in ways that brought unnecessary attention or misunderstandings. This added emotional weight to a song that was originally created to celebrate love and beauty.
Yet, despite these challenges, 2Face said he remains grateful for everything African Queen brought into his life. He acknowledged that every major blessing in life can also come with responsibilities, expectations, and difficult moments. For him, the journey has been worth it, and he is proud of the legacy the song holds in African music history.
In his own words, “African Queen has been a very huge blessing, and e come turn to problem join for me. But I am grateful for everything.” His reflection shows that behind every iconic moment in music, there is a personal story of growth, sacrifice, and resilience.
Today, African Queen continues to live on as one of the greatest love songs ever to come out of Africa, reminding the world of the beauty of African stories, voices, and talent — and 2Face remains one of the pioneers who helped shape that narrative.
