“I have watched Gen Z disrespect me online several times by comparing me to some random artistes which were not in my league in my prime.
In my time, when the industry was still trying to carve a niche in the world space with a unique style of sound which we now all refer to as Afrobeats, there was lots of CONFUSION and COMPETITION.
Confusion in the sense that, there was a massive rush to break in with every unique artistry and originality. I mean, the cool cats from Ajegunle like Daddy Showkey, African China, Marvelous Benji and a host of many others with the “Suo” thing. The three kings which I personally refer to as Wazobia; 2face Idibia from the North, P-Square from the East and D’banj from the West, The Yankee boiz like Ikechukwu and Naeto C who came in with the United States mulla to show us the local boiz how to do it in a premium way hehehe.
These young cats have no idea what it means to drag a market space with the Wazobia Kings in an era of no social media exposure where hitting a platinum was through hard copy and Gongo Aso was like a pure water all over the streets of Lagos and Nigeria.
And the competition in the sense that, in my time there were three household labels who provided the huge platform for independent local artists like me, I am talking of Kennis Music, Mo’Hits records and Storms records, much respect to Keke and D1… Legends!
Now imagine a local boy like me from the streets of Bariga, not affiliated to any of the then major record labels, with cooked beats from I.D Cabasa in a local studio(as we weren’t financially loaded then to buy the best studio equipment) disturbing your airwaves in the year 2008.
I made you happy and brought you so much Joy that I grabbed the artist of the year awards from Headies, Best album of the year, Best street pop of the year and Best love song of the year with Wedding Day in Gongo Aso album all in a Night with Headies.
See, music is like the game of football, you can be the baba on the pitch but we know who runs the game on award nights.
I watched myself being compared to some young cats with no originality, who haven’t bagged any award in their choice of niche.
I left music for politics and that created a huge space.
I have not brought home the Grammy as promised but I have trekked for you to run and I am happy for where the foundation we laid is currently at right now.
Like I said in my song Photocopy, there will never be another me because I am 9ice.
Show some respect ❤️”
-9ice 2024
