9ice

9ice is the stage name of Abolore Akande, an Afrobeats artist from Oyo, Nigeria. He begins singing and writing songs at the age of fourteen and becomes known for Yoruba-language lyrics, proverbial writing, and a style that combines African and hip hop influences.

Career

His first album is The Certificate, and his second album is Gongo Aso. The title track from Gongo Aso becomes one of his best-known songs and a widely recognised anthem in Nigeria. Other songs associated with him include Street Credibility, Party Rider, Little Money, Ganja Man, Talent Dey Waste, Pamurogo and Photocopy.

He also records collaborations with other Nigerian artists, including Ruggedy Baba with Ruggedman, Le Fenu So with Lord of Ajasa, and Make Dem Talk with 2Shotz. His musical influences include Wyclef Jean and Ebenezer Obey.

Awards and recognition

9ice wins the 2008 MOBO Award for Best African Act and the 2008 MTV Africa Music Award for Best Hip Hop Artist. He also receives the 2008 Dynamix Award for Artist of the Year, the 2009 Hip Hop World awards for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year, and the 2009 Future Awards Musician of the Year. Other recognition mentioned includes the Nigerian Youth Merit Award and Youth Ambassador for Peace.

Style and aims

His work is described as drawing on a strong use of Yoruba and a distinctive rhythmic delivery. He is associated with Afro-hip hop as well as Afrobeats, and his stated ambition is to build a lasting body of work and be regarded as a cultural reference point for Nigerian artists.