Ice Prince laments lack of recognition despite achievements in african music
Nigerian rapper Panshak Henry Zamani, better known as Ice Prince, has expressed frustration over what he sees as persistent disrespect and underappreciation, despite his long-standing contributions to Nigerian and African music.
Speaking on the Tea With Tay podcast, the Oleku crooner reflected on his career milestones, claiming that even with several historic achievements, many people continue to “sleep on him.”
“I have done so much for Nigeria and Africa, but people always disrespect or sleep on me,” he said. “I don’t make music for accolades or respect.”
Ice Prince listed some of his groundbreaking achievements, including being the first African artist to step on the BET Awards stage to receive an award, a music deal with Jay Z, and becoming the first African artist to appear on The Breakfast Club, a popular U.S. radio show.
He also highlighted his smooth departure from Chocolate City, the record label that launched his career, stating that he left without controversy—a rare occurrence in the music industry. “I am one of the only artists, probably in the world, who left his record label without any drama,” he said. “There was drama when Jesse left. There was drama when Brymo left. But me? No.”
Despite not feeling properly acknowledged, Ice Prince maintained that he is not driven by titles or external validation. “All these titles like ‘Legend,’ ‘King,’ ‘OG,’ I don’t even like them. For me, music is beyond the accolades or awards that come with it,” he said.
Ice Prince rose to fame in the early 2010s with hits like Oleku and Superstar, becoming one of Nigeria’s most celebrated hip-hop acts. While newer artists have taken center stage in recent years, the rapper continues to maintain a loyal fanbase and is respected for his influence on the African rap scene.
