Kenny Ogungbe Shares Insights on Blackface and 2Baba’s ‘African Queen’ Controversy
Music executive and Kennis Music CEO, Kenny Ogungbe, has sparked fresh controversy with surprising revelations about the popular song African Queen.
During a discussion on the Honest Bunch podcast, Ogungbe revisited the long-running dispute between former Plantashun Boiz members, Blackface and 2Baba, over the song’s ownership and royalties.
Ogungbe explained that Blackface was the first among the group to release music. However, when African Queen was released under 2Baba’s name in 2004, Blackface’s contributions were not officially recognized.
“I want to share something many people don’t know,” Ogungbe said. “I gave Plantashun Boiz a contract because I wanted to sign them, but they didn’t return it. The first member to release a song wasn’t 2Baba—it was Blackface. But the song didn’t gain attention until African Queen was released and registered with BMI in the U.S., and Blackface’s name wasn’t on it.”
For years, Blackface has accused 2Baba of taking credit for the song and benefiting financially without proper recognition. This has led to public arguments and legal battles, dividing fans on the issue.
Ogungbe’s comments shed new light on the dispute, seemingly supporting Blackface’s claims. African Queen, which launched 2Baba into global stardom, remains at the center of debates about fair credit and royalties in the music industry.
View this post on Instagram
