Akande Abolore Adegbola Alexander Ajifolajifaola (born Abolore Adegbola Akande), better known as 9ice (born 17 January 1980), is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and dancer. He is known for his powerful use of the Yoruba language in his music as well as his proverbial lyrics and unique style of delivery.
9ice | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Abolore Adegbola Akande |
Also known as |
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Born | 17 January 1980 |
Origin | Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, dancer |
Years active | 2000–present |
Labels | Alapomeji Ancestral Records |
Early life
edit9ice was born into a polygamous home of five wives and nine children, in Ogbomosho, Oyo State in Western Nigeria. He grew up in the Shomolu Bariga suburbs of Lagos. He dreamed of being a musician.[1] His parents discovered his singing talent, and decided to allow him become a musician.[2][3]
Career
editIn 1996, 9ice recorded his first demo, titled "Risi de Alagbaja", but it was not until 2000 that he released his first official solo song, "Little Money".[4][3]
In 2008, 9ice released the single "Gongo Aso". With the song gaining popularity, 9ice was asked to perform at the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute concert in London in June 2008.[5] He went on to win the Best Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards.[6][7]
"Gongo Aso" won him four further awards at the 2009 edition of the Hip Hop World Awards held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja: Album of the Year, Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Rap in Pop Album.[8]
In 2020, 9ice released another album, Tip of the Iceberg: Episode 1.[9]
After a short hiatus from the music scene, the Alapomeji Records boss, 9ice released the second episode of his album, Tip of the Iceberg: Episode II
He is the founder and CEO of Alapomeji Entertainment Limited and the record label Alapomeji Ancestral Record[10]
Discography
edit- Certificate (2007)
- Gongo Aso (2008)
- Tradition (2009)
- Certificate and Tradition Reloaded (2010)
- Versus/Bashorun Gaa (2011)
- GRA/CNN (2014)
- Id Cabasa (2016)
- G.O.A.T (2018)/Classic 50 Songs (2019)
- Fear of God (2020)[11] Seku Seye (2020)
- Tip of the Iceberg: Episode 1 (2020)[9]
- Tip of the Iceberg: Episode II (2022)[12]
- Tip Of the iceberg III (2022)
- Lord Of Ajasa (2023)
- Observatory (2024)
Awards
edit- Nigeria Entertainment Awards Most Indigenous Act 2007
- MOBO Best African Act 2008[13]
- MTV Africa Music Awards Best Hip Hop Artist 2008[14]
- Dynamix Awards Artist of the Year 2008
- Hip Hop Awards Best Vocal Performance 2008
- Hip Awards Revelation of the Year 2008
- Hip Hop Awards Song of the Year 2009
- Hip Hop Awards Best R&B/Pop 2009
- Hip Hop Awards Album of the Year 2009
- Hip Hop Awards Artist of the Year 2009[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Marriage or no marriage, I am with my children – 9ice". Vanguard News. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ Udeze, Chuka (25 June 2018). "9ice Biography And Everything You Need To Know About The Musician". BuzzNigeria – Famous People, Celebrity Bios, Updates and Trendy News. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Before Stardom With… 9ice". Punch Newspapers. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "YouTube Music: Harnessing the Power of Google". THISDAYLIVE. 19 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Reporter's log: Mandela concert". 27 June 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Singer releases 8th studio album titled 'ID Cabasa'". Pulse Nigeria. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2019.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ "Nigerians sweep MTV Africa awards". BBC News. 23 November 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
- ^ "My mother left me when I was 8 months old – 9ice". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ a b "[Album] 9ice – Tip Of The Iceberg: Episode 1". VirginSound. 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Top 20 Record Labels in Nigeria". 9 August 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ "9ice releases new single, 'Seku Seye'". Pulse Nigeria. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ "9ice releases the Episode II of Tip of the Iceberg, 'Tip of the Iceberg II'". VirginSound. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ Olatunji Saliu (16 October 2008). "9ice Wins MOBO Award". Online Nigeria. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- ^ Coetzer, Diane (24 November 2008). "Nigerian Acts Win Big At MTV Africa Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ Headies, The (25 October 2009). "Hiphop World Awards 2009 Nominees List - The Headies". Retrieved 4 November 2023.