Ice Prince | |
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Birth name | Panshak Henry Zamani |
Born | [1] Minna, Niger State, Nigeria | 30 October 1986
Origin | Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2004–present |
Labels |
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Panshak Henry Zamani (born 30 October 1986), better known as Ice Prince Zamani or just Ice Prince, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He rose to fame after releasing "Oleku", one of Nigeria's most remixed songs of all time. [2] He won the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. [3] [4] His debut studio album Everybody Loves Ice Prince was released in 2011. It was supported by three singles: "Oleku", "Superstar" and "Juju". In 2013, Ice Prince released Fire of Zamani as his second studio album. The album contained the singles "Aboki", "More", "Gimme Dat" and "I Swear". On 1 July 2015, Ice Prince was announced as the vice president of Chocolate City. He held the position until he left the label in 2016. [5] [6] He has collaborated with top African rappers like Navio of Uganda, Khaligraph Jones of Kenya, AKA of South Africa, Sarkodie of Ghana among others.
Ice Prince was born Panshak Henri Zamani [7] in the city of Minna. At Age two, he moved with his family to the mining city of Jos, Plateau State. He is of Angas ethnicity. [8]
While residing in Jos, he attended St. Murumba College. He also attended the Science Tutorial Niger State College in Jos. [9]
In 1999, he began writing rap songs and started performing them at school; in 2001 he began recording them. In 2002, he and some friends formed the "ECOMOG Squad" but split after a year. In 2004, he connected with M.I, Jesse Jagz, Ruby, Lindsey, Eve, Taz, and together they became what is now known today as the "Loopy Crew". [9] He attended the University of Jos to study zoology, but had to stop because of a "financial constraint". [10]
During the aforementioned interview, Ice Prince opened up about why he chose to name his debut album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince. He said "What made me give my album that name was when I lost my Mum, really. There was so much love, so much care from all around the world. People really showed me love and it was after that incident that I came back to record my album and I thought what better name to call my album than Everybody Loves Ice Prince because I was shown love". [10]
"Oleku", Ice Prince's first single off his debut album was met with great reception throughout Nigeria. [11] The song was released under Chocolate City. Ice Prince's 'rap resume' has a long list of songs he's been featured on. He was featured on Taikoon's "Respect My Hustle" with Banky W, [12] DJ Neptune's "This Gbedu Reloaded" with YQ & Shank, [13] Bez's "Super Sun (Remix)" with ELDee & Eva Alordiah, [14] YQ's "Efimile (Remix)" with Naeto C, M.I, Banky W, & ELDee, [15] Pherowshuz's "Korrect (remix)" with M.I & Terry Tha Rapman, [16] Dekunle Fuji's "Funmilayo" with Jesse Jagz, Jamix's "My Party" with Wizkid & Kel, [17] Reminisce's "2 Mussh [Remix]" with Sauce Kid, [18] and Knighthouse's "Make it Better" with Mo'Cheddah, Funbi, & Mobie, [19] among others.
In 2012, he began frequent collaborations with Grip Boiz City producer Chopstix, releasing "Aboki" in the summer of 2012. An accompanying music video was released alongside it. "Aboki" peaked at number 92 on Afribiz's Top 100 chart. [20]
On 28 August 2012, Ice Prince released "More" as the second single from the album. The song was also produced by Chopstix. The music video for "More" was shot and directed in London by Moe Musa. It stars Lola Rae, a British Nigerian recording artist known for her single "Watch My Ting Go". The video premiered at the 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards. [21] [22] [23]
On 25 January 2013, Ice Prince released "Aboki (Remix)"; he described the song as the "biggest African collision ever". [24] The song features Sarkodie, Mercy Johnson, Wizkid, M.I and Khuli Chana. [25] [26] On 24 April 2013, Ice Prince and Chocolate City released "Gimme Dat" and "V.I.P" simultaneously. The former made the album's final track-listing, while the latter didn't. [27] [28]
In 2015, Ice Prince began making available singles from his third studio album. The eventual release of the album signified his first independent album outside Chocolate City record label. He revealed to Pulse he had Universal Studio in the US mix and master the album. [29]
In September 2023 while in an interview, Ice Prince teased a new album featuring fellow rappers MI Abaga and Jesse Jagz. [30]
On 10 March 2015, Ice Prince founded Super Cool Cats, right after his contract with Chocolate City expired. [31] On 23 May 2016, at a press conference held at Chocolate City office in Lagos, Ice Prince unveiled Chocolate City, as the parent company of his record label, and a sub-division of Chocolate City. On 28 August 2016, Ice Prince unveiled Jilex Anderson at The Quilox Ultra Pool Party (#QUPP), as SCC first act. [32] On 12 December 2020, Ice Prince announced the signing of Au Pro, on Twitter, via a tweet. [33]
Ice Prince cited Notorious B.I.G., Rakim, Jay-Z, Common, Talib Kweli, Kanye West, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Lauryn Hill, M.I and Jesse Jagz as his key musical influences. [9]
Ice Prince has a son named Jamal. [34]
Film | ||||
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Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
2013 | House of Gold | Tony | Supporting role | [35] |
Television | ||||
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
2013 | Shuga (Season 3) | Himself | Guest appearance | [36] |
Year | Title | Album | Director | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Oleku (Featuring Brymo) | Everybody Loves Ice Prince | Mex Films | [37] |
Superstar | Katung Aduwak | [38] | ||
2012 | More | Fire Of Zamani | Moe Musa | [39] |
Aboki | Phil Lee | [40] | ||
2013 | I Swear (featuring French Montana) | JR Saint | [41] | |
2014 | Jambo | Sesan | [42] | |
Whiskey (Featuring Sunny Nneji) | AJE Filmworks | [43] | ||
Shots On Shots(with Sarkodie) | Non Album Single | Nana Kofi Asihene | [44] | |
That Could Be Us | Non Album Single | Uprooted Media | [45] | |
2015 | One Day | Trash Can EP | Moe Musa | [46] |
Mutumina | Mex Films | [47] | ||
Yawa Go Dey(Featuring Robbie Celeste) | Cloud 9 Virals | [48] | ||
2016 | Jos To The World | Jos To The World | UAiMAGES | [49] |
2017 | No Mind Dem(featuring Vanessa Mdee) | SOS Media | [50] | |
2018 | Replay (Produced by Masterkraft It's on the beat) | TBA | [51] |
Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | The Headies | Best Rap single | Me Versus Me | Pending | [52] |
2014 | Ben TV Awards | Best Male Hip Hop Artist | Himself | Won | [53] |
The Future Africa Awards | Prize in Entertainment | Nominated | [54] | ||
2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Rap Act of the Year | Won | [55] | ||
City People Entertainment Awards | Rap Artiste of the Year | Nominated | [56] | ||
Rap Album of the Year | Fire of Zamani | Nominated | |||
MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 | Best Hip Hop | Himself | Nominated | [57] | |
World Music Awards | World's Best Male Artist | Nominated | [58] | ||
World's Best Live Act | Nominated | ||||
World's Best Entertainer of the Year | Nominated | ||||
2013 | The Headies 2013 | Artiste of the Year | Nominated | [59] [60] | |
Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted African West Video | "Aboki" | Nominated | [61] | |
Most Gifted Video of the Year | Nominated | ||||
4syte Music Video Awards | Best African Act Video | Nominated | [62] | ||
Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best Hip Hop Video | "V.I.P" | Won | [63] | |
Best Use of Visual Effects | Nominated | ||||
MOBO Awards | Best African Act | Himself | Nominated | [64] | |
Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Rap Act of the Year | Won | [65] | ||
BET Awards 2013 | Best International Act: Africa | Won | [66] | ||
City People Entertainment Awards | Best Hip-Hop Artiste of the Year | Won | [67] | ||
Musician of the Year (Male) | Nominated | [68] | |||
Best Rap Artiste of the Year | Nominated | ||||
2012 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted Hip-hop Video of the Year | "Superstar" | Won | [69] |
Most Gifted Reggae Video of the Year | "Juju" | Nominated | [70] | ||
Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Album of the Year | Everybody Loves Ice Prince | Nominated | [71] | |
Best Rap Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |||
BET Awards | Best International Act: Africa | Nominated | [72] | ||
The Headies 2012 | Album of the Year | Everybody Loves Ice Prince | Nominated | [73] [74] | |
Best Rap Album | Won | ||||
Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |||
Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | Nominated | ||||
Ghana Music Awards | African Artist of the Year | Won | [75] | ||
2011 | The Headies 2011 | Best Rap Single | "Oleku" (featuring Brymo) | Won | [76] |
Song of the Year | Won | ||||
Best Collabo | Nominated | [77] | |||
"Joor Oh (Remix)" (Jahbless featuring Ice Prince, Durella, Reminisce, and eLDee) | Nominated | ||||
Best Street-Hop Artiste | Nominated | ||||
Next Rated | Ice Prince for "Oleku" | Nominated | |||
Lyricist on the Roll | Nominated | ||||
Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted Newcomer Video | "Oleku" (featuring Brymo) | Won | [78] | |
Most Gifted Hip Hop Video | "Nobody Test Me" (Jesse Jagz featuring M.I and Ice Prince) | Nominated | [79] | ||
Most Gifted Video of the Year | "Molowo Noni" (Samklef featuring Wizkid, D'Prince, and Ice Prince) | Nominated | |||
Dynamix All Youth Awards | Best New Artiste | Himself | Won | [80] | |
Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best Contemporary Afro Video | "Oleku" (featuring Brymo) | Nominated | [81] | |
Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Hottest Single of the Year | Won | [82] | ||
Best New Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [83] | ||
Best Rap Act of the Year | Nominated | ||||
City People Entertainment Awards | Song of the Year | "Oleku" (featuring Brymo) | Won | [84] | |
Eko FM/ Radio Lagos Awards | Young Artiste of the Year | Himself | Won | ||
2010 | Dynamix All Youth Awards | Promising Artiste of the Year | Nominated | [85] | |
Song of the Year | "Oleku" (featuring Brymo) | Nominated | |||
2009 | Hennessy Artistry Club Tour | Hennessy Artistry | Himself | Won | [86] |
Jesse Garba Abaga, known professionally as Jesse Jagz, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer, and songwriter. He signed a record deal with Chocolate City in 2010 and released his debut studio album Jag of All Tradez that same year. He voluntarily exited the Chocolate City deal in 2013 and announced the launch of his independent label, Jagz Nation. Jagz released his second studio album Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come in 2013; it included singles such as "Redemption", "Bad Girl", "Sex & Scotch" and "God on the Mic". His third studio album, Jagz Nation, Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company, was released in 2014. He returned to Chocolate City in 2015 but left the label again prior to releasing his fourth studio album Odysseus in 2017. In May 2020, he released a 5-track EP titled Garba.
"Oleku" is a song by Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. It features vocals by Brymo and was released as the lead single from his debut studio album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince (2011). "Oleku" received positive reviews and became one of the most remixed Nigerian songs of all time. It was also one of the most popular Nigerian songs of 2010, along with Naeto C's "Ten Over Ten" and D'banj's "Scapegoat". "Oleku" won several accolades, including Hottest Single of the Year at the 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Song of the Year at the 2011 City People Entertainment Awards.
Everybody Loves Ice Prince is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. It was released by Chocolate City on October 9, 2011. The album's production was primarily handled by Jesse Jagz, along with additional production from M.I Abaga, Wizboyy, E Kelly, Samklef and Chopstix. It features collaborations with Brymo, Wizkid, 2 Face Idibia, Jesse Jagz, M.I, Yung L, J-Milla, Samklef, Wizboyy, Morell and Sean Tero. The album was supported by the singles "Oleku", "Superstar" and "Juju". E.L.I is a mixture of hip hop, R&B, dancehall, raga, Afrobeats, reggae, highlife and soul.
Chinedu Okoli, better known by his stage name Flavour N'abania or simply Flavour, is a Nigerian singer. He began his musical career as a drummer for a local church. Flavour is popularly known across Africa and the world for his hit song "Nwa Baby ". He is currently signed to 2nite Entertainment.
The discography of Wizkid, a Nigerian Afrobeats singer, consists of six studio albums, two EPs, fifty-four singles, forty-four promotional singles, sixteen guest appearances, six cameo appearances and thirty-five music videos. Wizkid started his music career at age 11, releasing a seven-track collaborative album with Glorious Five entitled Lil Prinz. Wizkid garnered notoriety when he collaborated with Naeto C, Ikechukwu, M.I and Kel. He signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment in 2009. From 2009 through 2011, Wizkid worked on materials for his debut album Superstar (2011). Superstar was supported by the singles "Love My Baby", "Pakurumo", "Tease Me/Bad Guys", "Don't Dull" and "Holla at Your Boy".
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, known by his stage name Iyanya, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to fame after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa, and is best known for his hit single "Kukere". He released his debut studio album My Story in 2009; it was supported by the singles "No Time" and "Love Truly". Iyanya co-founded the record label Made Men Music Group with Ubi Franklin in 2011. His second studio album, titled Desire, was released in February 2013. It was supported by the singles "Kukere", "Ur Waist", "Flavour", "Sexy Mama", and "Jombolo". He won the Artist of the Year award at The Headies 2013. In October 2016, Iyanya announced on Instagram that he signed a record deal with Mavin Records. Few months prior, he signed a management deal with Temple Management Company. He first announced his intentions to leave Made Men Music Group in July 2016. In 2024 Iyanya released his new album, 'Once Upon A Cat' Under the Made Men Music Group Record Label.
"Kukere" is a song by Nigerian singer Iyanya. It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Desire (2013). Upon release, the song peaked at number one on Top FM's May Chart, Soundcity's Viewers Choice, Rhythm FM, and The Beat 99.9 FM's Blackberry Top Ten Countdown. Moreover, it peaked at number two on Radio Port Harcourt. "Kukuere" won Hottest Single of the Year at 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best Pop Single at The Headies 2012.
"Mr Endowed" is a song by Nigerian singer D'banj, released on May 23, 2010. Produced by Don Jazzy, it was included in the track listing for Mr. Endowed, an album that was never released due to D'banj's exit from Mo' Hits Records. The song was reportedly recorded after D'banj signed a recording contract with Kanye West's GOOD Music. In an interview with April Woodard of BET, D'banj confirmed the rumours about the aforementioned contract.
Fire of Zamani is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. Sean Stan of Vintage Sounds Production mastered the album before Chocolate City released it on October 28, 2013. Comprising eighteen tracks, Fire of Zamani features guest appearances from Sunny Neji, Wale, M.I, Chip, Ruby Gyang, Wizkid, French Montana, Jesse Jagz, Olamide, Sound Sultan, Burna Boy, Yung L, Jeremiah Gyang, Shaydee, and Morell. The album's production was primarily handled by Chopstix, a member of Grip Boiz City, along with additional production from Don Jazzy, Jay Sleek, Sammy Gyang, and E-Kelly.
"I Swear" is a song by Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. It was released as the fourth single from his second studio album, Fire of Zamani (2013). American rapper French Montana contributes a rap verse to it, and Nigerian singer Shaydee provides guest vocals. The song was produced by Chopstix and released by Chocolate City. It debuted at number ten on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart.
"Aboki" is a song by Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. It was released on 28 August 2012, serving as the lead single from his second studio album, Fire of Zamani (2013). The song was produced by Chopstix and released along with "More". It peaked at number 92 on Afribiz's Top 100 chart.
"V.I.P" is a song by Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. It was released on April 24, 2013, by Chocolate City. The song was originally intended to be included on Ice Prince's second studio album, Fire of Zamani (2013), but was ultimately removed from the final track list due to reasons that haven't been made public. It peaked at number 26 on Afribiz's Top 100 chart. "V.I.P" debuted at number nine on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart for the week of July 6 through July 13, 2013, and entered the music countdown along with "Personally".
"Magician" is a song by Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. It features rap verses from Yung L and J-Milla and was originally released on Ice Prince's debut studio album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince (2011). The song's official remix, titled "Ma'Gyptian ", was produced by Jesse Jagz and features vocals by Jamaican singer Gyptian.
Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper and record producer Jesse Jagz. It was released by Jagz Nation on July 10, 2013. The album was primarily produced by Jesse Jagz, along with additional production from Shady Bizniz, Kid Konnect, GuiltyBeatz and Samklef. It has eighteen tracks and features collaborations with 9ice, Wizkid, Brymo, James Maverik and Lindsey Abudei. Musically, Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come is a hip hop and ragga record that incorporates elements of dancehall music. It was supported by the singles "Redemption", "Bad Girl", "Sex & Scotch" and "God on the Mic". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, who characterized it as a "tour de force" and praised its production.
"Redemption" is a song by Nigerian rapper and record producer Jesse Jagz. It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come (2013). The song was written and produced by Jesse Jagz and is the first single released following his departure from Chocolate City.
The discography of Tiwa Savage, a Nigerian singer consists of three studio albums, one compilation album, 23 singles, ten music videos, four promotional single, five guest appearances, and one cameo appearance.
The Chairman is the third studio album by Nigerian rapper and record producer M.I. It was released on October 30, 2014, by Chocolate City and Loopy Music. The album features collaborations with producers and guest artists such as 2face Idibia, Wizkid, Reinhard, Sarz, and Ice Prince, among others. The Chairman was supported by the singles "Bad Belle", "Monkey" and "Bullion Van". It won Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2015.
Christopher Omenye, professionally known as Yung L, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer.
The Son of a Kapenta is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo. It was released by Chocolate City on November 15, 2012. Recorded in English and Yoruba, SOAK combines elements of fuji music with contemporary pop and techno. It features guest appearances from Jesse Jagz, Pryse, M.I, Ice Prince and Efya. SOAK was produced by E Kelly, Mikky Me Joses, Legendury Beatz, Jesse Jagz, Blaze, DMM Oluremi and Kid Konnect. It was supported by the singles "Ara", "Good Morning" and "Go Hard". SOAK received positive reviews from music critics, who commended its production and Brymo's voice.