Artiste of the week: 9ice

9ice was born as Abolore Adegbola Akande on January 17, 1980 in Bariga Lagos, Nigeria. He was interestingly from a polygamous family with four stepmothers and eight siblings. Since his early teenage years he was interested in music and song writing. He also attended Abula Okuta primary school, CMS grammar school, and attempted on a law degree from the Lagos State University but dropped out. He wanted to focus on his career in music.

He joined a group called the ‘Mysterious Boys’ but only recorded a few tracks and then split. In 2000he recorded his first solo but it took five years before he would be recognized by the Nigerian music industry. His producer is I.D Cabasa and produced the song that really raised him into popularity was ‘Ganja Man’ which was a reggae style in 2006.

9ice is known because he does a lot of his music in the Yoruba language and a little of Pidgin english as well. He also has his own label called Alapomeji Records and has performed at some shows including Mandela’s 90th Birthday in London and his country’s 50 year anniversary of independence in Malaysia and Holland.

Besides being a performer, 9ice is also the UN Youth ambassador, Lagos State Environmental ambassador, the 46664 Nelson Mandela Charity Organization ambassador which gives awareness of HIV/AIDS, and the Global Public Health Ambassador to Society for Family Health. 9ice is now trying to get a degree after having dropped out in his earlier years. 9ice, is known for his versatility, proverbial lyrics and unique style started his singing and writing career at the age of fourteen. Justifiable tagged “the hit maker”, 9ice conveys with his music, a new ethnic flavor and eclectic style that is uniquely his.

Years of studying the industry and refining his skills, has helped him develop his musical ideology and style. His powerful use of the Yoruba language and his lyrical abilities sets him apart from most artists in his genre and in his opinion is what makes him 9ice. This unique style, evident on all of his song some of which include his hit song ‘Gongo Aso’, ‘Street Credibility’, ‘Party Rider’, ‘Little Money’, ‘Ganja Man’, ‘Talent dey waste’ as well as on collaborations like the song ‘Ruggedy Baba’ a hit track he did with Nigeria’s Ruggedman, and ‘Le Fenu So’, which he did with Lord of Ajasa, often leaves many listeners astonished at the magic of the delivery and the rhythmic harmony.

9ice, whose hit single ‘Gongo Aso’ from his sophomore album also titled ‘Gongo Aso’ has become a sort of national anthem, aspires to raise his game, push the creative envelope and transcend music stereotypes. He is working hard to build a solid, outstanding body of work that hopefully will outlive him. He aims in all ways to become a reference point for Nigerian artistes anywhere. Reminiscent of the likes of Fela, Youssour Ndour and Angelique Kidjo, he hopes to someday become a cultural ambassador with his music. He believes consistency, originality as well as old-fashioned hard work are the keys to achieving all these.

His award credits include 2009 Hip Hop World Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the year as well as 2008 MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Best African Act, 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards Best Hip Hop Artist, 2008 Dynamix Awards Artist the Year, 2009 Future Awards Musician of the Year and many more. He also recently released an album in honour of his friend and producer, ID Cabasa. Some of his social recognitions include, Nigerian Youth Merit Award, Youth Ambasador for Peace and more. His musical influences range from Wyclef Jean to the Miliki Maestro, Ebenezer Obey. 9ice is without a doubt leaving his mark in the Afro hip-hop circle and worldwide.