9ice, born Alexander Abolore Adegbola Akande (born 17 January 1980) is a Nigerian musician, songwriter and dancer. He is known for his powerful use of the Yoruba language in his music as well as his proverbial lyrics and unique style of delivery.
Early life 9ice was born into a polygamous home of five wives and nine children, in Ogbomosho, Oyo State in Western Nigeria. He grew up in shomolu Bariga suburbs of Lagos. 9ice had also dreamed of being a musician. His parents discovered his singing talent, and decided to allow him become a musician.
Career In 1996, 9ice recorded his first demo titled Risi de Alagbaja, but it was not until 2000 that he released his first official solo song Little Money.
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, United Kingdom in June 2008. He went on to win the Best Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards.
Gongo Aso won him four further awards at the 2009 edition of the Hip Hop World Awards held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja: the Album of the Year, Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year and the Best Rap in Pop Album categories.
In 2020, 9ice released another album entitled “Tip of The Iceberg: Episode 1” to top his previously released albums. He is the Founder and CEO of his own music record label Alapomeji Ancestral Record.