Renowned Nigerian music icon, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has spoken out on the long-standing controversy surrounding the authorship of his hit song, African Queen.

In an interview on the 234 Mzansi Podcast, posted on Monday via YouTube, 2Baba clarified that the song, which catapulted him to global fame and played a pivotal role in putting Nigerian music on the world map, was a collaborative effort between him and former bandmate, Blackface.

“It’s a collab. I wrote most of the song actually, but we wrote it together,” he said.

The legendary singer, however, expressed disappointment over the ongoing accusations by Blackface, who has repeatedly claimed sole ownership of the song.

“For me, the law and the legal things speak for themselves. So I’m not somebody to come and start… I don’t know what his intentions are. I don’t know what I’ve ever done to him,” 2Baba stated.

2Baba maintained that he has always shown Blackface respect despite the persistent public attacks.

“They (the things he says) are absurd. They are just ridiculous and they are very, very painful sometimes,” he said.

Reflecting on the rift, he added, “Till today, I just wonder why. That is the only thing I have in my head — like why? What is the reason? It’s just ridiculous.”

The African Queen dispute has been one of the most talked-about feuds in the Nigerian music industry. (Via The PUNCH)