Billboard has officially named African Queen, a song by Innocent Idibia aka 2baba released in 2004 as the best Afrobeats song of all time. The list
Billboard has officially named African Queen, a song by Innocent Idibia aka 2baba released in 2004 as the best Afrobeats song of all time.
The list, released on Tuesday, celebrates the genre’s most impactful songs based on criteria including cultural significance, commercial success, and global expansion.
The magazine said the songs reflect how Afrobeats first gained ground in Nigeria before spreading globally and earning international recognitions.
Billboard hailed African Queen as a love letter to a generation of women from the continent, praising its tender admiration and iconic music video.
“From 2Baba’s tender admiration of African women’s beauty to the striking warmth of the song’s video, African Queen is a love letter to a generation of women from the continent,” the magazine wrote.
Ironically, the song which was a track from the album Face 2 Face and released under Kennis Music record label, featured Annie Macaulay, 2Baba’s estranged wife as one of the video vixens. It took the Nigerian and African music scene by storm, redefining contemporary Afrobeats with its soft melody, heartfelt lyrics, and universal theme of love.
Unlike the dominant party anthems of the time, the song stood out with its soulful rhythm and deep appreciation of African beauty.
When the song’s iconic music video hit the airwaves, it wasn’t just a love song—it became the soundtrack to 2Baba and Annie Idibia’s romance. This melody defined their journey from young lovers to one of Nigeria’s most celebrated couples. For years, the song stood as a testament to their love, a timeless tribute that fans linked to their enduring bond.
With the couple’s separation now, the song carries a different weight—it is no longer just a timeless love anthem but a poignant reminder of a once beautiful love story that didn’t quite have its fairy-tale ending.
What was once a symbol of deep affection now resonates as a bittersweet echo of dreams unfulfilled.
At a time when Afrobeats was primarily centred on dance and party themes, ‘African Queen’ proved that love ballads could be just as powerful. It was also one of the first Nigerian songs to receive heavy rotation on MTV Base, helping to propel Afrobeats into mainstream global recognition.
Its inclusion in the 2006 Hollywood film Phat Girlz further solidified its international appeal. However, the song’s success was later clouded by controversy.
Wizkid was the only artiste with two entries in the top 10: Ojuelegba at number 2 and Essence featuring Tems at number 5.
The list also featured major hits from Divine Okubor aka Rema, Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy, David Adeleke aka Davido, Dapo Oyebanjo aka D’banj, Peter and Paul Okoye aka P-Square, Chinedu Okoli aka Flavour, Chukwuka Ekweani aka CKay, and Yemi Alade.
Below is the full top 10:
2Baba, African Queen (2004)
Wizkid, Ojuelegba (2014)
Flavour, Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix) (2011)
Rema, Calm Down (2022)
Wizkid feat. Tems, Essence (2020)
CKay, Love Nwantiti (2019)
D’banj, Oliver Twist (2011)
Davido, Fall (2017)
Burna Boy, Ye (2018)
P-Square, Chop My Money (Remix) (2012)
