Ice Prince, a leading Nigerian rapper and screen performer, achieved his breakthrough when he issued his first full-length project, Everybody Loves Ice Prince, in 2011. The set contained the chart-topping single “Oleku,” a track that would earn distinction as one of the most remixed Nigerian recordings in history. He later refined his seamless fusion of hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, raga, Afrobeat, reggae, highlife, and soul across later releases such as Jos to the World (2016) and C.O.L.D. (2018).
Born Panshak Henri Zamani in Minna, Niger State, Ice began performing rhymes at school gatherings during his teenage years. After moving to Lagos in 2004 he joined forces with fellow Nigerian rappers and producers M.I, Jesse Jagz, Ruby, Lindsey, Eve, and Taz, a circle that later became known as the “Loopy Crew.” His initial commercial recognition arrived in 2009 with the single “Badman,” which captured top honors at that year’s Hennessy Artistry competition and secured him a recording contract with Chocolate City, one of Africa’s biggest and most prosperous labels.
High-profile guest spots on songs by Taikoon, DJ Neptune, and Bez paved the way for the smash single “Oleku,” which featured Brymo and appeared on the 2011 debut album Everybody Loves Ice Prince. The project also yielded the successes “Superstar” and “Juju,” ultimately claiming Best Rap Album at the 2012 Headies Awards. The following year Fire of Zamani delivered further hits including “Aboki,” “More,” and “I Swear,” the last of which included contributions from French Montana and Shaydee. Although he had been appointed Vice President of Chocolate City the previous year, Ice departed the imprint in 2016 and unveiled his third album, Jos to the World, through his own Super Cool Cats label. Two years later the C.O.L.D. EP surfaced, showcasing appearances by Remy Baggins and K-Switch, among others.
