Encomium
‘There would be time when he grows older’
Award-winning Nigerian rapper, Ice Prince Zamani recently featured, for the first time, alongside his son, Jamal in Ruby Gyang’s new video, Good Man.
The Oleku crooner was not only excited doing this, he was dancing in the video with his son.
In an interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, Ice-Prince explained why he doesn’t see his son often, among other issues…
Your fan base has enlarged internationally. It’s like you’re building your fan base outside Nigeria. What informed this?
We are trying to take music beyond Nigeria, beyond Jos, where we started. The world is focusing on us right now. They listen to Nigerian songs, download the songs like never before. People have started to feature Nigerian artistes. I just came back from the US, where I featured in Tah Mac and Redman song, Oxygen. It was not even my song, they invited me.
How was working with Redman?
He’s legend and the experience was awesome. I believe it would be an amazing experience for them too, chilling with a wonderful rapper from Africa. I am still learning and I believe this collaboration and several other international collabos would go a long way to shape my career.
What’s happening at Chocolate City. You seem to be the only artiste apart from the newly signed one? Where is MI?
Chocolate City is doing fine. Let me tell you why you’ve not heard from MI. He’s a professional and perfectionist to the core. Even me, “I dey fight am. I dey always ask him, bros, when you go release?”
The truth is, MI can spend three years to make a song, making sure that everything is perfected. Right now, he has almost five albums to release. He records every day, and he’s been away for three years, and he’s still relevant.
Let’s talk about your BET experience?
This year is better than last year, the same way last year was better than a year before. Hopefully, next year, it’ll be better than this year. Coincidentally, I also presented the BET International African Act award to Davido, the same I received last year. It was a great experience to perform alongside international acts. Hopefully, we’ll receive the award on the same stage with other international artistes.
What came to mind while presenting the award to Davido?
I am a big fan of Davido, I won’t lie to you. I remember when Davido brought Damiduro to us in the house, it was Wande Coal’s birthday, about three to four years ago. We were all in the studio, with D’Prince, Shank, and some other friends, and Davido was playing Damiduro. Just like yesterday, he’s a big artiste today. His success inspires me, the way it should inspire anybody, except for haters. I am a huge fan, and I always tell him, “Don’t stop here. You need to do more.”
We saw you and your son in Ruby’s Good Man’s video. How does it feel doing that for the first time?
It feels great. I didn’t feel anyhow, after all, he’s my son. Ruby wanted me and my son for the video, and I accepted, even though, she thought I wouldn’t. He’s my son. I am happy to do it. I don’t know if I am a good man (smiles), but I made up the list. The song is entitled, Good Man.
How often do you see him?
To be honest, I don’t get to see him, because I am always out of town. Besides, he’s two, and too small to travel to wherever I go. He comes to the house anytime I am in town, and we have fun together. At times, we go out to have fun. I am hardly in town myself, that’s why. May be when he grows older, he’ll become my PA and we go out together.
-RASHEED ABUBAKAR
