Panshak Henry Zamani (born 30 October 1986) better known as Ice Prince or Ice Prince Zamani, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He rose to fame after releasing "Oleku", one of Nigeria's most remixed songs of all time. He won the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. His debut studio album Everybody Loves Ice Prince was released in 2011. It was supported by three singles: "Oleku", "Superstar" and "Juju". In 2013, Ice Prince released Fire of Zamani as his second studio album. The album contained the singles "Aboki", "More", "Gimme Dat" and "I Swear". On 1 July 2015, Ice Prince was announced as the vice president of Chocolate City. He held the position until leaving the label in 2016. He has collaborated with several African rappers, including Navio, Khaligraph Jones, AKA, and Sarkodie.
Early life and education Ice Prince was born Panshak Henri Zamani in the city of Minna. At Age two, he moved with his family to the mining city of Jos, Plateau State. He is of Angas ethnicity. While residing in Jos, he attended St. Murumba College. He also attended the Science Tutorial Niger State College in Jos.
Career 1999–2011: Everybody Loves Ice Prince In 1999, he began writing rap songs and started performing them at school; in 2001 he began recording them. In 2002, he and some friends formed the "ECOMOG Squad" but split after a year. In 2004, he connected with M.I, Jesse Jagz, Ruby, Lindsey, Eve, Taz, and together they became what is now known today as the "Loopy Crew". He attended the University of Jos to study zoology, but had to stop because of a "financial constraint". During the aforementioned interview, Ice Prince opened up about why he chose to name his debut album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince. He said "What made me give my album that name was when I lost my Mum, really. There was so much love, so much care from all around the world. People really showed me love and it was after that incident that I came back to record my album and I thought what better name to call my album than Everybody Loves Ice Prince because I was shown love".
"Oleku", Ice Prince's first single off his debut album was met with great reception throughout Nigeria. The song was released under Chocolate City. Ice Prince's 'rap resume' has a long list of songs he's been featured on. He was featured on Taikoon's "Respect My Hustle" with Banky W, DJ Neptune's "This Gbedu Reloaded" with YQ & Shank, Bez's "Super Sun (Remix)" with ELDee & Eva Alordiah, YQ's "Efimile (Remix)" with Naeto C, M.I, Banky W, & ELDee, Pherowshuz's "Korrect (remix)" with M.I & Terry Tha Rapman, Dekunle Fuji's "Funmilayo" with Jesse Jagz, Jamix's "My Party" with Wizkid & Kel, Reminisce's "2 Mussh [Remix]" with Sauce Kid, and Knighthouse's "Make it Better" with Mo'Cheddah, Funbi, & Mobie, among others.
2012–2013: Fire of Zamani In 2012, he began frequent collaborations with Grip Boiz City producer Chopstix, releasing "Aboki" in the summer of 2012. An accompanying music video was released alongside it. "Aboki" peaked at number 92 on Afribiz's Top 100 chart. On 28 August 2012, Ice Prince released "More" as the second single from the album. The song was also produced by Chopstix. The music video for "More" was shot and directed in London by Moe Musa. It stars Lola Rae, a British Nigerian recording artist known for her single "Watch My Ting Go". The video premiered at the 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards.
On 25 January 2013, Ice Prince released "Aboki (Remix)"; he described the song as the "biggest African collision ever". The song features Sarkodie, Mercy Johnson, Wizkid, M.I and Khuli Chana. On 24 April 2013, Ice Prince and Chocolate City released "Gimme Dat" and "V.I.P" simultaneously. The former made the album's final track-listing, while the latter didn't.
2015–2016: Jos to the World and Super Cool Cats In 2015, Ice Prince began making available singles from his third studio album. The eventual release of the album signified his first independent album outside Chocolate City record label. He revealed to Pulse he had Universal Studio in the US mix and master the album. On 10 March 2015, Ice Prince founded Super Cool Cats, right after his contract with Chocolate City expired. On 23 May 2016, at a press conference held at Chocolate City office in Lagos, Ice Prince unveiled Chocolate City, as the parent company of his record label, and a sub-division of Chocolate City. On 28 August 2016, Ice Prince unveiled Jilex Anderson at The Quilox Ultra Pool Party (#QUPP), as SCC first act. On 12 December 2020, Ice Prince announced the signing of Au Pro, on Twitter, via a tweet.
In September 2023, Ice Prince teased a new album featuring MI Abaga and Jesse Jagz.
Musical influences Ice Prince cited Notorious B.I.G., Rakim, Jay-Z, Common, Talib Kweli, Kanye West, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Lauryn Hill, M.I and Jesse Jagz as his key musical influences.
Personal life Ice Prince has a son named Jamal.
Discography
Studio albums Everybody Loves Ice Prince (2011) Fire of Zamani (2013) Jos to the World (2016)
EPs Trash Can (2015) C.O.L.D (2018)
Compilation albums The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation (2015)
Filmography Film and television FilmYear Title Role NotesRef2013House of GoldTonySupporting role Television Year Title Role Notes Ref2013Shuga (Season 3)HimselfGuest appearance
Videography YearTitleAlbumDirectorRef2011Oleku (Featuring Brymo)Everybody Loves Ice PrinceMex FilmsSuperstarKatung Aduwak2012MoreFire Of ZamaniMoe MusaAbokiPhil Lee2013I Swear (featuring French Montana)JR Saint2014JamboSesanWhiskey (Featuring Sunny Nneji)AJE FilmworksShots On Shots (with Sarkodie)Nana Kofi AsiheneThat Could Be UsUprooted Media2015One DayTrash Can EPMoe MusaMutuminaMex FilmsYawa Go Dey(Featuring Robbie Celeste)Cloud 9 Virals2016Jos To The WorldJos To The WorldUAiMAGES2017No Mind Dem (featuring Vanessa Mdee)SOS Media2018Replay (Produced by Masterkraft It's on the beat)
Awards and nominations
YearEventPrizeRecipientResultRef2018The HeadiesBest Rap singleMe Versus Me2014Ben TV AwardsBest Male Hip Hop ArtistHimselfThe Future Africa AwardsPrize in Entertainment2014 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Rap Act of the YearCity People Entertainment AwardsRap Artiste of the YearRap Album of the YearFire of ZamaniMTV Africa Music Awards 2014Best Hip HopHimselfWorld Music AwardsWorld's Best Male ArtistWorld's Best Live ActWorld's Best Entertainer of the Year2013The Headies 2013Artiste of the YearChannel O Music Video AwardsMost Gifted African West Video"Aboki"Most Gifted Video of the Year4syte Music Video AwardsBest African Act VideoNigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)Best Hip Hop Video"V.I.P"Best Use of Visual EffectsMOBO AwardsBest African ActHimselfNigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Rap Act of the YearBET Awards 2013Best International Act: AfricaCity People Entertainment AwardsBest Hip-Hop Artiste of the YearMusician of the Year (Male)Best Rap Artiste of the Year2012Channel O Music Video AwardsMost Gifted Hip-hop Video of the Year"Superstar"Most Gifted Reggae Video of the Year"Juju"Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Album of the YearEverybody Loves Ice PrinceBest Rap Act of the YearHimselfBET AwardsBest International Act: AfricaThe Headies 2012Album of the YearEverybody Loves Ice PrinceBest Rap AlbumArtist of the YearHimselfHip Hop World Revelation of the YearGhana Music AwardsAfrican Artist of the Year2011The Headies 2011Best Rap Single"Oleku" (featuring Brymo)Song of the YearBest Collabo"Joor Oh (Remix)" (Jahbless featuring Ice Prince, Durella, Reminisce, and eLDee)Best Street-Hop ArtisteNext RatedIce Prince for "Oleku"Lyricist on the RollChannel O Music Video AwardsMost Gifted Newcomer Video"Oleku" (featuring Brymo)Most Gifted Hip Hop Video"Nobody Test Me" (Jesse Jagz featuring M.I and Ice Prince)Most Gifted Video of the Year"Molowo Noni" (Samklef featuring Wizkid, D'Prince, and Ice Prince)Dynamix All Youth AwardsBest New ArtisteHimselfNigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)Best Contemporary Afro Video"Oleku" (featuring Brymo)Nigeria Entertainment AwardsHottest Single of the YearBest New Act of the YearHimselfBest Rap Act of the YearCity People Entertainment AwardsSong of the Year"Oleku" (featuring Brymo)Eko FM/ Radio Lagos AwardsYoung Artiste of the YearHimself2010Dynamix All Youth AwardsPromising Artiste of the YearSong of the Year"Oleku" (featuring Brymo)2009Hennessy Artistry Club TourHennessy ArtistryHimself
References
External links