New Yoruba rappers are no threat to me – 9ice

Many fans of the popular singer, Abolore
Akande, aka 9ice, have wondered why he has
not been visible on the music scene lately. But
the lanky singer, who serenaded his fans with
hit songs that include ‘Gongo Aso’, ‘Photocopy’,
‘Attitude’ and ‘Energy’, has been ‘missing in
action’ says he has been away on a playing
tour of different parts of the world.
The tour is part of the current drive by his
new managers to prepare him for a more
result-oriented future.
He says, “I’ve been silent because there’s a
difference in approach to my promotions,
shows, tours and song releases. I always
release an album every year. But after I
dropped ‘Bashorun Gaa’ and ‘Versus’, I decided
to release a double album every two years. My
last double album was released on December
7, 2011, to be precise. Another album is due
to be released in December.”
On his latest single, ‘Ike Kan’, the artiste
engaged the services of top music producer,
Don Jazzy. The track did not gain as much
attention as his past works. It remains
unnoticed in certain quarters.
But 9ice, who hopes to drop a follow-up
single,’Life Drama’, later this month, has a
contrary perception.
“So far, it has been so good. Three weeks of
Internet promotions and the attendant public
reception has been massive. I haven’t printed a
copy of the single album for promotions yet,
but the song is known everywhere. What more
can I say? The magic touch does the job,” he
says.
Although the singer, who began writing songs
at age 14, may have been temporarily off the
scene, he insists that he has not lost his
sparkle.
“In terms of record sales, recognition and
acceptance, I have achieved more after the
‘Gongo Aso’ album was released. If they want
to judge me in terms of appearances in public,
then I can agree a bit because lately I’ve tried
to limit my movement to professional
engagement venues. More so, I’ve performed
in a lot of shows outside the shores of the
country and I have also tried to stay away
from controversies,” he adds.
The singer, who is currently on a playing tour
of the US and having recently covered Dublin,
Ireland, and Glasgow, Scotland, speaks
glowingly about the experience.
“The reception for me is the same everywhere.
I am accepted in Nigeria and abroad. So I can’t
say which is better. The feeling I get both ways
is superb. Austria is the next stop. I will also
touch Aberdeen, China, Dubai, Moscow and
also Amsterdam by the end of November this
year,” he gushes.
Owing to the lull being experienced in the
music industry, most artistes fall back on
endorsement deals. But 9ice, who is yet to bag
any deal, is only optimistic for now.
“It will definitely come one way or the other.
With or without it, I have sustained and
maintained my standards. My focus is to make
good music, inspire people and change my
environment positively. Every other blessing is
an addition. Endorsement is a good idea for
celebrities to upgrade and reap the sweat of
their labour while promoting and adding value
to the brands,” he says.
Eight years down the line, the singer, who was
once a member of the group known as
Mysterious Boys, says he is contented.
“I believe I have achieved many of my goals. I
can say I am on 50 per cent achievement right
now and I am looking forward to another 50
per cent to wrap up my score sheet. So far, I
have won a MOBO award. So, all I am working
towards is getting a Grammy. My record sales
are on point, my acceptance is never shaking,
credibility is evergreen and inspiring songs are
always coming,” he says.
9ice adds that the new school of artistes does
not pose a threat. As far as he is concerned, it
is a level playing field. “The sky is more than
big for every bird to fly. Before Da’grin died,
there were so many artistes that could rap,
sing and chant in Yoruba language. Now the
number has increased. I can’t be threatened
because many more are still coming. I don’t
follow trends. Mind you trend always changes,
what would be my legacy if I just follow every
trend? Trend always fades out. What is
trending today may become annoying
tomorrow,” he says.
With his highly anticipated G.R.A. album
scheduled for release in December, the singer
now looks beyond music. He says, “I am
studying public safety and Common Law at the
Capella University in the US. Law has always
been part of me from my days in secondary
school. I feel a lot of people in my community
still don’t understand the essence of law and
so many are ignorant. I love being my
brother’s keeper and fighting for the less
privileged.”
Fame like wealth, sometimes comes
unexpectedly. For the unprepared artiste, it is
a huge task managing both. But, 9ice says he
has been lucky in this regard.
“I was able to cope based on the fact that I
was opportune to learn the basics from the
likes of Lord of Ajasa. Now the new generation
can do as they wish, one man’s food is another
man’s poison, but generally speaking investing
in ones future is the way forward.
Looking into the future, 9ice is optimistic, yet
he silently nurses a fear. “Failure. I don’t want
to fail in whatever I do. I want to excel, break
grounds, discover new ways of making music,
and retain the identity of an icon or legend,”he
reveals.