ICE PRINCE RECENT INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Interviewer: It’s good to see you again. Yeah, good to see you again. I know the last time we saw was in Nigeria. Yeah. And that was, I think, a few weeks ago. Yeah. At The Bar. Yeah. Cool. That’s, ‘s beautiful. That’s beautiful. So, um, for a couple of years now, um, the world has been celebrating Afrobeats. Right? Yeah. And you’ve been one of those artists who has, uh, gone far and beyond just making it a Nigerian, um, genre. You’ve been able to take it to the continent. You’ve been able to take it to the world. And it’s so amazing seeing, uh, how much you’ve grown and how much the industry has grown. How do you feel about this moment in African music?
The Global Rise of Afrobeats
Interviewer: It’s beautiful. Yeah. And to put it in perspective for people who don’t understand, um, that journey that you guys have gone through, because right now, people are seeing it. The fruits of your labor are now, uh, being enjoyed by the whole world. Um, how did that feel putting in all that work, knowing that nobody was looking, just doing your thing, and then suddenly the world opens up to you?
Ice Prince: Man, it’s just, it’s a blessing, man. It’s a blessing from God. It’s just, you know, it’s a lot of hard work. It’s a lot of dedication. It’s a lot of passion. It’s a lot of belief. And it’s also a lot of sacrifice. You know, we sacrificed a lot of things. We sacrificed our time, our money, our sleep, everything. Just to get to this point. And now, it’s paying off. It’s just amazing. It’s beautiful. It’s lovely.
Interviewer: Beautiful. It’s so beautiful. And, um, you’ve taken your music to the world. ou’ve gone to America. You’ve gone to Europe. You’ve gone to different continents. How is the reception of Afrobeats out there?
Ice Prince: Man, it’s just, it’s amazing. It’s just unbelievable. Everywhere I go, people are just embracing it. They’re just loving it. They’re just, you know, it’s just a beautiful thing to see. It’s just, you know, it’s a global movement now. And I’m just happy to be a part of it.
The Influence of Ghanaian Music
Interviewer: So, if we talk about the whole Afrobeats music, do you think Ghana has had an influence on Nigerian Afrobeats?
Ice Prince: Oh, definitely. One hundred percent. One hundred percent. Ghana has had a huge influence on Nigerian Afrobeats. You know, we grew up listening to Ghanaian music. We grew up listening to artists like Reggie Rockstone, VVIP, VIP, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, and Stonebwoy. You know, all these amazing artists. They influenced us a lot. And they still do. So, definitely, Ghana has had a huge influence on Nigerian Afrobeats.
Interviewer: But we don’t, we don’t hear that much. But it’s true. It’s true.
Ice Prince: Why don’t you hear it? Because they don’t talk about it.
Interviewer: Why? That’s what I want to know. I don’t know.
Ice Prince: That’s something you have to ask them. But I’m telling you, as an artist who grew up listening to Ghanaian music, who was influenced by Ghanaian music, I can tell you for a fact that Ghana has had a huge influence on Nigerian Afrobeats.
Interviewer: Do you think it’s because there’s a lot of competition?
Ice Prince: No, it’s not about competition. It’s about recognizing and appreciating the influence. It’s about giving credit where credit is due. And I think it’s important for us to acknowledge that.
The Genesis of “Oleku”
Interviewer: Okay. So, let’s talk about the song that brought you to the limelight, “Oleku.” Right? Yeah. When you recorded that song, did you know that it was going to be a hit?
Ice Prince: No, I didn’t. I didn’t. I just made the song because I loved it. I just made the song because I believed in it. I just made the song because I wanted to express myself. And I’m just happy that people embraced it. I’m just happy that people loved it. And it changed my life. It changed my life completely.
Interviewer: That song, it was like a dream come true. It was unbelievable, bro.
Ice Prince: Yeah, man. Yeah. It was a very surreal moment for me when “Oleku” came out. It was just, it was amazing. It was just, you know, it was a beautiful moment. It was a beautiful time. And I’m just grateful for it.
Interviewer: And when you shot the video in Ghana?
Ice Prince: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We shot the video in Ghana. And it was a beautiful experience. It was lovely. The people were amazing. The crew was amazing. And we just had a great time. And I’m just happy that we were able to create such an iconic video.
Interviewer: And it’s one of the best videos in Afrobeats history.
Ice Prince: Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate you. I appreciate you, man.
Interviewer: So, um, you did a lot of shows off the back of that song. You traveled a lot.
Ice Prince: Oh, man. I was literally everywhere. I was literally everywhere. I was traveling all over the world. I was going to America, Europe, Asia, Australia, everywhere. It was just, it was amazing. It was beautiful. It was lovely. It was just a dream come true.
Interviewer: You went to Kenya. You went to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ghana, Cameroon, and South Africa.
Ice Prince: Like, I’m going all over the continent. And that’s all I could say, man. It was unbelievable.
Losing His Mother and Finding Strength
Interviewer: You lost your mom at the age of 11. Is that true?
Interviewer: So, um, how did you cope with all that? Losing your parents at such a young age.
Ice Prince: Man, it was tough. It was tough. It was very difficult. But I had to survive. I had to keep pushing. I had to keep believing. And I had to keep going. Because I knew that my parents would want me to be successful. They would want me to achieve my dreams. So, I just kept pushing. I just kept believing. And I just kept going. And I’m here today. So, it’s a blessing. It’s a blessing from God.
Interviewer: And you had to make sure you made money, of course, because you had to survive.
Ice Prince: Yes. Yes. I had to survive. But guess what? I love it. I love it. It was a very surreal moment for me when I met Jay-Z. He gave me a deal with Duce Cornac to be Duce’s ambassador in Nigeria. It was a good check.
Dealing with Past Decisions and Regrets
Interviewer: What were some of the decisions you made in the past that you think, maybe now, looking back, you wish you could have done differently?
Ice Prince: Hmm. That’s a good question. Um, one of the worst things for me that I wish I could unlearn is how to roll cannabis. How to roll.
Interviewer: [Laughter] So, that’s your biggest regret?
Ice Prince: Yeah, man. Yeah. Because it’s not healthy. It’s not healthy. And I just wish I had never learned how to do it. But it is what it is. I’m just grateful that I’m here today, and I’m able to share my story with you.
On the Business of Music and Independence
Interviewer: What’s your take on artists claiming they are independent, but still, they are in a deal with a record label?
Ice Prince: Well, it’s a tricky one, man. It’s a tricky one. Because, um, sometimes it’s not always black and white. You know, some artists might be in a deal with a record label, but they still have a lot of creative control. And they still have a lot of say in their careers. So, it’s not always about being fully independent. It’s about having that creative freedom and that control over your career. So, I think it’s important for artists to be transparent with their fans. And it’s also important for fans to do their research. Don’t just believe everything you hear. Do your own research and find out the truth.
Interviewer: Do you think it’s a smart thing to claim independence when you are not fully independent?
Ice Prince: No, I don’t think it’s a smart thing. Because eventually, the truth will come out. And when the truth comes out, it will damage your brand. So, I think it’s always best to be honest with your fans. And it’s always best to be transparent.
Interviewer: What’s your advice to upcoming artists?
Ice Prince: Be consistent. Work hard. Be authentic. Be patient. And never give up on your dreams. It’s a tough industry, but if you’re passionate about what you do and you’re willing to put in the work, you will eventually succeed. And don’t be afraid to be yourself. That’s the most important thing. Be yourself.
The Grind Continues
Ice Prince: Man, I’m just going to keep pushing. I’m just going to keep making good music. I’m just going to keep inspiring people. And I’m just going to keep living my dreams. That’s what’s next for Ice Prince. I’m going to Kenya. I’m going to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ghana, Cameroon, and South Africa. Like, I’m going all over the continent. And that’s all I could say, man. It was unbelievable.
Interviewer: And you’re still collaborating with a lot of artists.
Interviewer: Any shout-outs to your friends in Ghana?
