Alexander Abolore Adegbola Akande, popularly known as 9ice is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, recording artist, stage performer, and model.
Gatekeepers News reports that 9ice is known for his powerful use of the Yoruba language and proverbial lyrics and unique style of music.
Early Life
9ice was born on January 17, 1980, into a polygamous home of five wives and nine children, in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria.
He grew up in the Shomolu Bariga suburbs of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. 9ice parents discovered his singing talent, and decided to allow him become a musician.
Early Career
As a big fan of Pasuma Wonder, he started his music career with Fuji music. According to him, he derives his inspiration from his environment, and also from music icons like Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Tatalo Alamu, late Alhaji Ayinla Omowura, and the late Alhaji Haruna Ishola.
Although 9ice recorded his first demo, titled “Risi de Alagbaja” in 1996, he did not release his first official solo song, “Little Money” until 2000.
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. He went on to win the Best Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards.
“Gongo Aso” further 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.
In 2020, he released another album, Tip of the Iceberg: Episode 1.
9ice is the founder and CEO of the record label Alapomeji Ancestral Record.
Here are his awards
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards Most Indigenous Act 2007
- MOBO Best African Act 2008[11]
- MTV Africa Music Awards Best Hip Hop Artist 2008
- 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
Personal Life
9ice’s first marriage was to Toni Payne in 2008, the union produced their son. Zion Akande. The marriage broke after Toni accused the singer of serially cheating on her.
After the marriage collapsed, 9ice got into a relationship with Vickie Godis who bore him a set of twins named Maya and Miya Akande.
He later got married to US-based software engineer Adetola Anifalaje in 2018, and the had a daughter together, Milani-Francoise Akande.
At the end of 2019, 9ice went down the aisle for the third time with his baby mama, Sunkanmi Ajala. The couple currently has two children together.
Net Worth
According to reports, 9ice has a net worth of $1.7 million.
