My journey to Nollywood —Ice Prince

Panshak Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince, is one among Nigeria’s prime musicians and rappers. Born in the talent-breeding city of Jos, Ice Prince gradually established himself on the world music stage, winning awards and global recognitions, including the prestigious 2013 BET awards for the Best International Act – Africa. The ex-Chocolate City Music signee is also building a solo platform with his Super Cool Cat label. In this interview, the Aboki singer tells Newton-Ray Ukwuoma of his new love in the movie industry, among other things.

 

Since you won BET awards, we have not been seeing much of you.   

Yes. BET awards came with new vista and platform. You know it was not aired in US alone, but also in UK, Asia and some countries in Africa. So I got a lot of contacts and worked with some international artistes. After the awards, I have worked with French Montana, with Wale, with Chip from the UK, Joel Ortiz and so many others. These songs are in my Fire of Zamani album. The award also put me on some international festivals. I had the honour of performing live with mega stars. All these helped reinstate the Nigerian hip-hop music on the world map. So I have been trying to represent the green white green flag.

 

So what is Ice Prince doing now?

I have not really stopped working. Now, I am currently rounding off a movie project we intend releasing later this year.

 

Is Ice Prince branching off to Nollywood?

Yes, but I have no plans to go into Nollywood fully. The movie is about a story of how Ice Prince came from Jos to Lagos with his brother MI to do music. It is a movie produced by Gbenro Ajibade. Gbenro has shown a lot of talent and creativity in the industry. He has an amazing spirit. I particularly like his originality and honest vibes. So, yes, that is pretty much what I am about right now.

 

Do you have a name for the movie so we can look forward to seeing it?

Well, for now, the working title is Me vs Me. If it changes, I will let you know.

 

Why did you decide to tell your story outside music?

Music and movie are both art forms. And it is true that, in Nigeria, artistes seldom tell their stories outside music. And that is something I intend to change because if you go to other countries like UK, USA and South Africa, artistes tell their stories in motion picture. It is not all about singing songs. I am trying to inspire a lot of people to tell the story of their lives through movies.

 

Will you be acting in this movie?

Yes. I will be. I have acted before. It wouldn’t be new to me. Though it’s been stressful, but I am up to it.

 

How did you come by your stage name, ‘Ice Prince’? 

The name, “Ice”, came before Prince. Someone gave me the name in my second year in Senior Secondary School. Growing up, I loved music especially, hip-hop. I admired a lot of rappers. I guess, I started loving Literature in English because of it; Literature introduced me to poetry and rhymes. I began to rap and to behave like a rapper. I attended St Murumba College in Jos. I came to school one day wearing a DMX Ruff Ryder chain. You know, it had some blings and stones on it. A new student who didn’t know my name started calling me ‘Ice’. And everybody took it right from his mouth. It stuck. I simply added ‹Prince› years later.

 

How was growing up in Jos like?

It was just like any normal kid. I’m the second of three siblings. My dad died in 1999. I went through that ordeal of lack, hunger and other hardship. And now, I’m an orphan. So, I know what it is like not to have your biological parent around.

 

You have been spotted with big names in Roc Nation. Is there a deal in the air?

Roc Nation is like another family. It wasn’t for a deal that I am connected to them, not that I would reject any offers. But what I want to stress is the love that exists between me and them. They do things for me, even when I am not their artiste. That’s amazing. I was introduced to the label by DJ Cuppy and, since then, I have worked with a lot of people there from Briant Bee, to High Briggs to Jay Z. Another label that is like family too is Mavins. I am not signed to them, but Don Jazzy does a lot of stuff for me. And I see my record label, Super Cool Cats, being the next Roc Nation. Just give us time.

 

How is your relationship with Chocolate City?

Nothing has changed really. And I am being honest about this. We have never lost any love. The relationship is beyond music or contract. MI and Ice Prince are brother forever. I have known MI before music and nothing can change that. We are family beyond music. If you think I am lying go and ask them; they are my biological brothers.

 

Are we to expect any single from you soon?

Yes. I have been working. I just dropped a song recently titled, No Mind Them.

 

You launched your own recording outfit last year. How is that coming?

What can I say? We are working. Right now, it is all about building the right family. So everything has to be perfect. Super Cool Cat is going to be big. I have some artistes I want to introduce to the industry. When the time comes, you will know about it.

 

Is Ice Prince getting married soon?

Soon is relative. I am still young. I want to set my house in order before taking in a woman. There are things I need to get together. After that I will be open to new heights.

 

Is there someone you are seeing?

I am single now. I am not seeing anyone yet.

 

Who is Maima Nkewa?

She is the girl I dated, but we are taking a break.