
Ice Prince was born Panshak Zamani in the city of
Minna,
Niger State,
Nigeria. Early in life, aged two, he moved with his family to the mining city of
Jos,
Plateau State,
Nigeria. In Jos he received his secondary education at
St. Murumba School, the same school that produced superstars
P-Square and
Mikel Obi. He also attended the
Science Tutorial College in
Jos, where in 1998 he began writing
hip hop music, which he described as 'rubbish', and performing it at
secondary school
parties, club days and formals. It was not until 2001 that he began
going to studios to record and began meeting people. In 2002, he got
together with a couple of his friends and formed a group called the
Ecomog Squad. They had a few performances as a group and split a year
later.In 2004 He met hit makers - the Abaga brothers - M.I. and Jesse
Jagz at a young persons' forum. Together with M.I., Jesse Jagz, Ruby,
Lindsey, Eve, and Taz they became what is now known today as ‘Loopy’.
Music career
In 2004, ‘
Extraordinary’ his
debut single was released. One of his single's ‘
Rewind’ has been on
radio station charts in
Abuja and
Lagos.
It has been on Rhythm Fm Top 7 chart, notjustok hype, Unilag Fm, Zain
Central Station, Inspiration Fm, Top Fm’s Top of the Morning, Cosmo Fm
Top Hits, Africa Connect Chat Show, Kiss Top 20 Africa and has also been
No.1 on Cool Fm and Vision Fm in Abuja.
[1]
(2009): Hennessy Artistry
In 2009 Ice Prince participated in the Hennessy artistry competititon
which was organized by the Hennessy brand which supports urban and
contemporary music. The competition featured the likes of
Bez, Mo'cheddah, Blaise, and Jimmy Flames and Ice Prince came out 1st with his lead single "Badman" at the end of the competition.
[2]
(2010):Oleku
Ice Prince Zamani lived up to the hype and delivered a smash hit
Oleku in 2010 which is his official single under the
Chocolate City label. Ice Prince‘s 'rap resume' is a long list of songs he’s been featured on. From
Banky W to YQ,
eLDee and
Naeto C,
A'West, Dekunle Fuji, Kel, Gino, Terry Tha Rapman, Sauce Kid, Rollins
Avns, Djinee, Mo Cheddah, Wizkid and the obvious suspects
M.I,
Jesse Jagz
just to name a few. He’s worked with the biggest artistes in the
industry. So far with only 3 singles to his name – Extraordinary (2004),
Rewind (2009),Oleku (2010) he’s forged a reputation for himself
independent of his label mates.
Influences
Ice Prince has cited that his music has been influenced by artist such as
Davarel Davmusic,
Notorious B.I.G.,
Rakim,
Jay-Z,
Common,
Talib Kweli,
Kanye West,
Ludacris,
Busta Rhymes,
Lauryn Hill,
M.I and
Jesse Jagz.
[3]
Discography
Performances and Appearances
•
Chocolate City “The Jam Sessions” 2007&2008.
• Host, Sprite Triple Slam Tour (started April 2009) held in Lagos, Ibadan, Aba, Owerri, Onitsha, Asaba, Enugu, Nsukka.
• Benson and Hedges Lockdown Party –Lagos.
• Soundcity Music Video Awards (SMVA)-July 2009.
• MTV Base Advance Warning Party-July 2008.
• This Day International Music and Fashion Festival, Abuja-August 2008
• WAPI (Words and Pictures)-British Council, Abuja (2008).
• Rhythm Unplugged -Abuja and Jos 2008.
• Crack Your Ribs -Abuja (2008).
• Hennessy Artistry, Lagos-September 2009.
• 100% Basketmouth in concert: Lord of the Ribs, Indig02, London-February 2010.
• Rebirth, Reading UK – April 2010
• Hennessy Artistry Theme Song (feat. Shina Peters, Nneka, Bez, Ice Prince and MI) – 2010
• Hennessy lagos club tour 2010
• Felabration – 2010
• Hennessy Road Runners: Ikeja, Rehab
• Hennessy Grand Finale, Gets Arena, Lagos – November 2010
• Face of Selara, Abuja – December 2010 • Play Bar, Calabar – December 2010
• Facon Republique, Fashion Show, Abuja – December 2010
• Rhythm unplugged-lagos 2010
. Rickross private party -abuja
. Rickross show - December lagos
. NOKIA award winners ceremony lagos
. Annual Tradefair-jos 2010
. Oniru beach concert lagos 2010
. Lord of the Ribs – lagos 2010
. Dynamix awards 2010
. Glo lord of the Ribs –abuja 2011
. Lord of the Ribs-London 2011
Awards
Won
- 2009 Hennessy Artistry Winner
- 2011 Eko FM/ Radio Lagos Awards - Young Artiste of the Year
- 2011 City people Awards - Song of the year (Oleku)
Nominations
- Promising Artist of the Year (Dynamix Awards 2010)
- Song of the Year (Dynamix Awards 2010)
- Hottest Single of the Year (Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2011)
- Best New Act of The Year (Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2011)
- Best Rap Act of The Year (Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2011)
- Best International Act (Nigeria) (BET Awards 2012)[3