Richmond C. Amadi is an independent journalist, Book Publisher, member of RSU Alumni, Researcher (currently researching with Researchgate.net), Writer, Motivational Speaker. He is a BSc Holder in Office and Information Management, and Diploma holder in Management all from Rivers State University. Currently doing his MSc with RSU. Contact him on Richmond.amadi@ust.edu.ng or Amadirichmondc@gmail.com All Social Platforms: @amadirichmondc
Nigerian singer and songwriter better known as Blackface, Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo, has finally released his own version of ‘African Queen’.
The ragga, reggae and dancehall singer, who was a founding member of the Plantashun Boyz, a defunct Nigerian band, announced the audio release on his Instagram on Saturday.
The ‘African Queen’ single comes about 15 years after his former band member, Innocent Idibia, had dropped a song with a similar title.
The song, which is off ‘Face 2 Face’, 2Baba’s debut album, instantly became a hit in 2004 and brought him success path.
In 2006, ‘African Queen’ was also used in the soundtrack for the film ‘Phat Girlz’, which was released internationally.
Following the success of the song, Blackface had sought rights to 2Baba’s version of ‘African Queen’. He accused his former band mate of failing to give him proper credit for co-writing the song.
On Friday, the veteran musician had also visited his Instagram page to explain why he had to release his own version.
In his post: “Finally my version of African Queen will soon be available on all platforms worldwide… Just to clear the air again… I gave the initial singer the right to sing the song but I never got credited as a writer by the label that released it nor any acknowledgement from the singer while the song did so many numbers and won many awards since 2003/4 till date,” he had written.
“The singer included a third verse he wrote to the music when it was produced by OJB but I took that verse out and included the third I had written to make this version of mine totally written by self ….I can’t wait for you all to feel this one.”
Listen below:
