The veteran Afrobeats artist 9ice (Alexander Adegbola Akande) has sent shockwaves through the industry with a series of bombshell revelations during the listening party for his new album, Beginning of Wisdom, on April 9, 2026.
Contents
1. The 18-Year Secret: “I Am A Babalawo”
For the first time in his nearly two-decade career, 9ice publicly declared that he is a practicing Babalawo (a Yoruba traditional priest/Ifa practitioner) and has been for over 18 years.
- The Reason for Hiding: He admitted that he kept his faith hidden out of fear of being stigmatized or “avoided” by the public.
- The Motivation: 9ice explained that he spent years mastering the ancestral religion, including the observance of Odun Ifa (a traditional thanksgiving). He now feels it is time to blend these ancient traditions with his music to reach a new generation.
2. The Controversial “Devil” Statement
As if the religious confession wasn’t enough, 9ice doubled down on a philosophy that has divided his fanbase. He stated that “every favor you want in life is in the hands of the devil.”
- The Context: He elaborated that in the music industry, “the devil is the choirmaster,” suggesting that worldly success often requires engaging with spiritual forces that mainstream religion condemns.
- The “Spiritual Attack” Backstory: He previously shared that his path to traditionalism began years ago after an Ifa priest allegedly healed him from a “spiritual attack” that caused him to vomit blood for six months—a condition he claimed medical doctors couldn’t solve.
3. Critique of Nigeria’s “Prayer Culture”
9ice didn’t stop at his personal faith; he also launched a scathing attack on Nigeria’s religious dependency.
- The Comparison: He argued that while Nigerians spend their days in church vigils or “licking rocks in Mecca,” countries like the UK prosper because they focus on physical work.
- The Quote: “Ever since you have been calling on Allah and Jesus, this country hasn’t gotten any better. In London, nobody goes to church on Sunday; they go to work.”
