Abolore Adegbola Akande (popularly known as 9ice) was born in his hometown of Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Nigeria, on January 17th, 1980 into a polygamous home of five wives and nine children.
He is a multi-award winning musician known for his versatility, proverbial lyrics and unique style of music.
AGE
Abolore Adigun Alapomeji is 43 years old.
EARLY LIFE
Known by other numerous names such as Adigun, Ibile, Bashorun Gaa, Hitmaker, and Ancestor, he grew up in Bariga Lagos. He attended Abule Okuta Primary School and CMS Grammar School Bariga for his secondary education. He dropped out from his Law course at the Lagos State University to focus on his music career.
CAREER
9ice began his singing and writing career at the age of fourteen. Being a big fan of Pasuma Wonder, 9ice kick-started his singing career with Fuji music. He derives his inspiration from his environment, and music from the likes of Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Tatalo Alamu, Late Alhaji Ayinla Omowura and also from Late Alhaji Haruna Ishola.
After recording his first demo titled Risi De Alagbaja in 1996, 9ice joined a group called Mysterious Boys with whom he did a couple of tracks before going on to form his own defunct group called Abinibi. His first solo song “Little Money” which came four years later in 2000, was his first major break, as 9ice and his music started gaining recognition in the Nigerian music market.
Not long after then he did collaborations with different Nigerian artists and led to the release of another hit single titled Ganja Man. Ganja Man, which was released with other songs in March 2006, was produced by Id.Cabasa. 9ice later found his own record company Alapomeji Records and release all other album under his label.
His hit song Gongo Aso, from his sophomore album also titled Gongo Aso, became a major breakthrough for 9ice as it became a sort of national anthem sang at almost every occasion in the country at the time. Other tracks from the album includes Street Credibility, Party Rider, Pamurogo, and Photocopy among others.
9ice has also done collaborations with Ruggedman, Lord of Ajasa 2Face Idibia, and many others. He performed at the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute concert (singing “Gongo Aso”) in London on June 27th, 2008. He is a UN Youth Ambassador, Lagos State Environmental Ambassador, Nelson Mandela Charity Organization Ambassador and Global Public Health Ambassador to Society for Family Health.
In January 2014, 9ice announced plans to run for political office in 2015 as a House of Representatives member representing the Ogbomoso North Constituency, Oyo state in the National Assembly. He did contest for the seat under the umbrella of the APC but lost at the party primaries. In April 2015, the ‘Gongo Aso’ singer was appointed special adviser to the governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi.
PERSONAL LIFE
In July 2008, 9ice married Toni Payne after the two reportedly met through a mutual friend, Ruggedman. In 2010, 9ice announced his separation from his wife. It was then rumored that the marriage crashed due to infidelity. It was also speculated that his controversial song ‘Once Bitten’ was directed at Toni Payne’s perceived romance with Ruggedman but 9ice debunked all the claims. His children include; Michelle Abolanle Akande, Maya Akande, Zion Akande, and Miya Akande.
AWARDS
9ice has won numerous awards as listed below:
MOBO Best African Act 2008
Nigerian Music Awards Best Act 2008
Nigerian Entertainment Awards Most Indigenous Act 2007
Nigerian Entertainment Awards Best Act 2008
Future Awards
MTV Base Best Hiphop Act 2008
LTv/Eko Fm Awards
Hiphop World Awards Best Vocal Performance Male 2008
Hiphop World Awards Revelation of The Year 2008
Hiphop World Awards Best Album 2009
Hiphop World Awards Best Act 2009
Hiphop World Awards Artiste of the Year, 2009
Hiphop World Awards Best Song 2009
Dynamix Awards Most Promising act 2007
Dynamix Awards Best Song of The Year 2008
Gbedu Awards 2008
City People’s Award 2009.