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. He won the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. His debut studio album ''

Everybody Loves Ice Prince ''Everybody Loves Ice Prince'' (abbreviated as ''E.L.I'') is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. It was released by Chocolate City (music label), Chocolate City on October 9, 2011. The album's production was primarily handled by ...

'' was released in 2011. It was supported by three singles: "Oleku", "

Superstar A superstar is someone who has great popular appeal and is widely known, prominent, or successful in their field. Celebrities referred to as "superstars" may include individuals who work as actors, musicians, athletes, and other media-based profe ...

" and "Juju". In 2013, Ice Prince released ''

Fire of Zamani ''Fire of Zamani'' (abbreviated as ''FOZ'') 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, ' ...

'' as his second studio album. The album contained the singles " Aboki", "More", "Gimme Dat" and "

I Swear "I Swear" is a song written by Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers that became a hit for American country music artist John Michael Montgomery in 1993, and for American R&B group All-4-One in 1994. Released in November 1993, by Atlantic Nashvill ...

". On 1 July 2015, Ice Prince was announced as the vice president of Chocolate City. He held the position until leaving the label in 2016. He has collaborated with several African rappers, including Navio,

Khaligraph Jones Brian Ouko Omollo (born 12 June 1990), known by his stage name Khaligraph Jones, is a Kenyan rapper known for his singles "Mazishi" and "Yego". He released his debut full-length studio album ''Testimony 1990'' in June 2018. Jones has received nu ...

, AKA, and Sarkodie.

Early life and education

Ice Prince was born Panshak Henri Zamani in the city of

Minna Minna is a city in the Middle Belt of Nigeria. It is the capital city of Niger State, one of Nigeria's 36 federal states. Its original two major ethnic groups are the Gbagyi and the Nupe peoples. History Archaeological evidence suggests ...

. At Age two, he moved with his family to the mining city of

Jos Jos is a city in the North-Central region of Nigeria. The city has a population of about 900,000 residents based on the 2006 census. Popularly called "J-Town", it is the administrative capital and largest city of Plateau State. The city is situ ...

Plateau State Plateau is a northern states of Nigeria, Nigerian state. It is located in the north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria and includes a range of hills surrounding the Jos Plateau. Plateau State is described as "The Home of Peace and Tourism". Th ...

. He is of Angas ethnicity. While residing in Jos, he attended St. Murumba College. He also attended the Science Tutorial Niger State College in Jos.

Career

1999–2011: ''Everybody Loves Ice Prince''

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 The Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) was a West African multilateral armed force established by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). ECOMOG was a formal arrangement for separate armies to work ...

Squad" but split after a year. In 2004, he connected with M.I,

Jesse Jagz Jesse Garba Abaga (born 10 August 1984), 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'' t ...

, Ruby, Lindsey, Eve, Taz, and together they became what is now known today as the "Loopy Crew". He attended the

University of Jos The University of Jos, abbreviated as Unijos, is a federal university in Jos, Plateau State, central Nigeria. History What became the University of Jos was established in November 1971 from the satellite campus of the University of Ibadan. T ...

to study

zoology Zoology ( , ) is the scientific study of animals. Its studies include the anatomy, structure, embryology, Biological classification, classification, Ethology, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinction, extinct, and ...

, but had to stop because of a "financial constraint". 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". " Oleku", Ice Prince's first single off his debut album was met with great reception throughout Nigeria. 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 Olubankole Wellington (born 27 March 1981), popularly known by his stage name Banky W and credited in film as Banky Wellington, is a Nigerian-American singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician. Early life Olubankole Wellington was bo ...

, DJ Neptune's "This Gbedu Reloaded" with YQ & Shank, Bez's "Super Sun (Remix)" with

ELDee Lanre Dabiri (born May 23, 1977), better known by his stage name Eldee, stylized as eLDee, is a retired Nigerian-American rapper, singer, and record producer based in the United States. He is a member of the band Trybesmen, which was started ...

& Eva Alordiah, YQ's "Efimile (Remix)" with

Naeto C Naetochukwu Chikwe, stage name Naeto C, is a Nigerian rapper, Afrobeat artist and record producer. He rose to prominence with the track 'Kini Big Deal' which is credited for changing the Nigerian hip hop sound. Known for his catchy hooks and s ...

, M.I, Banky W, &

, Pherowshuz's "Korrect (remix)" with M.I & Terry Tha Rapman, Dekunle Fuji's "Funmilayo" with

, Jamix's "My Party" with

Wizkid Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), better known as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement. His music is a blend of Afrobea ...

& Kel, Reminisce's "2 Mussh emix with Sauce Kid, and Knighthouse's "Make it Better" with Mo'Cheddah, Funbi, & Mobie, among others.

2012–2013: ''Fire of Zamani''

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. 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 British Nigerians (here meaning British people of Nigerian descent rather than Nigerians of British descent) have formed long-established communities in London, Liverpool and other industrial cities. Many Nigerians and their British-born descend ...

recording artist known for her single "Watch My Ting Go". The video premiered at the 2012

Channel O Music Video Awards Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, once known as Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards, are Pan-African music awards organised by South Africa -based Channel O television channel. The awards were first held in 2003 under the name Reel Music Video A ...

. On 25 January 2013, Ice Prince released " Aboki (Remix)"; he described the song as the "biggest African collision ever". The song features Sarkodie,

Mercy Johnson Mercy Johnson Okojie (; born 28 August 1984) is a Nigerian actress, film director and producer. Early life Okojie was born as the fourth out of seven children of Daniel Johnson, a former naval officer, and his wife, Elizabeth. She was born in L ...

, M.I and

Khuli Chana Khulane Morule (born August 27, 1982), better known by his stage name Khuli Chana, is a South African Motswako rapper. In 2014, he released his single titled Hape Le Hape 2.1 featuring Da L.E.S and Magesh. In September of the year, he releas ...

. 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.

2015–2016: ''Jos to the World'' and Super Cool Cats

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. On 10 March 2015, Ice Prince founded Super Cool Cats, right after his contract with Chocolate City expired. 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. On 12 December 2020, Ice Prince announced the signing of Au Pro, on Twitter, via a tweet. In September 2023, Ice Prince teased a new album featuring MI Abaga and

Musical influences

Ice Prince cited

Notorious B.I.G. Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), better known by his stage names the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was an American rapper. Rooted in the New York rap scene and gangsta rap tradi ...

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Common Common may refer to: As an Irish surname, it is anglicised from Irish Gaelic surname Ó Comáin. Places * Common, a townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland * Boston Common, a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts * Cambridge Com ...

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Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After ...

Ludacris Christopher Brian Bridges (born September 11, 1977), known professionally as Ludacris (, spoken as "ludicrous" in American English), is an American rapper and songwriter. Born in Champaign, Illinois, Ludacris moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at age ...

Busta Rhymes Trevor George Smith Jr. (born May 20, 1972), known professionally as Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, singer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after National Football League, NFL and Canadian Football Lea ...

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, M.I and

as his key musical influences.

Personal life

Ice Prince has a son named Jamal.

Discography

Studio albums * ''

'' (2011) * ''

'' (2013) * '' Jos to the World'' (2016) EPs * ''

Trash Can A waste container, also known as a dustbin, rubbish bin, trash can, garbage can, wastepaper basket, and wastebasket, among other names, is a type of container intended to store waste that is usually made out of metal or plastic. The words "r ...

'' (2015) * ''C.O.L.D'' (2018) Compilation albums * ''

The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation ''The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation'' (abbreviated as ''TICBN'') is a compilation album by recording artists of Nigerian record label Chocolate City. It was released exclusively on the Star Music platform for free digital streaming on April 30 ...

'' (2015)

Filmography

Film and television

Videography

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ice Prince Musicians from Minna Living people Nigerian songwriters Nigerian male rappers 21st-century male rappers Nigerian hip-hop singers 21st-century Nigerian rappers The Headies winners 1986 births People from Jos 21st-century Nigerian male musicians