9ice

**9ice** Abolore Adegbola Akande (born January 17, 1980), popularly known by his stage name 9ice, is a highly influential Nigerian singer, songwriter, and dancer. He is recognized for his powerful use of the Yoruba language in his music, his proverbial lyrics, and his unique fusion of genres including Hip hop, Afrobeats, and Fuji music. **Early Life and Education** 9ice was born as Abolore Adegbola Akande in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria. He grew up in the Shomolu Bariga suburbs of Lagos, having been born into a polygamous family of five wives and nine children. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in music and songwriting. His parents supported his aspiration to become a musician after recognizing his talent. **Career Progression and Notable Works** 9ice began his career in the music scene around 2000. He rose to prominence with his distinctive style, characterized by lyrical depth and the incorporation of traditional Yoruba musical elements. His debut album, *Certificate*, was released in 2007. His breakthrough came with the release of his second album, *Gongo Aso* (2008). The title track and album were massive successes, cementing his place as a leading figure in Nigerian music and gaining him international attention. Other notable albums in his discography include *Tradition* (2009), *Bashorun Gaa* (2011), *Versus* (2011), *C.N.N* (2014), *G.R.A* (2014), and *Id Cabasa* (2017). **Major Achievements and Influence** 9ice has earned significant recognition and several prestigious awards throughout his career. His major achievements include winning the MOBO Best African Act in 2008 and the MTV Africa Music Awards Best Hip Hop Artist in 2008. He also secured the Nigerian Entertainment Awards Most Indigenous Act in 2007 and Best Act in 2008, along with the Dynamix Awards Artist of the Year 2008. He is also recognized for his role as a UN Youth Ambassador. His music is often cited for its cultural significance and for bridging traditional African sounds with contemporary music production. **Current Status** 9ice continues to be an active figure in the Nigerian music industry, both as an artist and an entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of his record label, Alapomeji Ancestral Record (A.A.R), which manages his music endeavors. Following a short hiatus, he released the albums *Tip of the Iceberg: Episode 1* (2020), *Fear of God* (2020), *G.O.A.T* (2021), and *Tip of the Iceberg II* (2022). His most recent projects include *Afro Juju* (2022), *Election Time* (2022), *Tip of the Iceberg III* (2023), and *OBSERVATORY* (2024), demonstrating his continued productivity and legacy in Afrobeats and Fuji music.