“Fela gave us a platform to thrive on” – 9ice (Video)

• Veteran singer 9ice, in an interview with ‘Sis Project Studios,’ acknowledges Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s influence on Nigerian music.
• 9ice praises Fela for establishing Afrobeat.
• He contrasts Fela’s dedicated path in Afrobeat with other artists’ explorations of different genres.
• 9ice acknowledges Fela, King Sunny Ade, and Ebenezer Obey as music “grandfathers” who shaped Nigerian music.

In a recent interview with ‘Sis Project Studios,’ veteran Nigerian singer and songwriter Alexander Abolore Adegbola Akande, better known as 9ice, paid homage to the late Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Recognizing Fela’s immense contribution to the Nigerian music scene, 9ice praised him for laying the foundation upon which countless artists have risen to prominence.

At 43 years old, 9ice reminisced about the early days of the Nigerian music industry and highlighted how Fela’s creation of Afrobeat had a profound impact on the trajectory of musicians in the country.

The Afrobeat genre, characterized by its fusion of traditional African rhythms, jazz, funk, and political messages, introduced a new musical landscape that resonated not only within Nigeria but also globally.

9ice expressed his admiration for Fela’s commitment to Afrobeat, which set him apart from contemporaries exploring various genres in search of their musical identities.

He recounted that while other artists experimented with different musical styles, Fela remained steadfast in his pursuit of Afrobeat, a decision that proved to be visionary and influential.

9ice mentioned iconic figures like King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey, placing Fela alongside them as one of the “grandfathers” of Nigerian music.

In his words;

“Fela Anikulapo-Kuti gave us the platform which is Afrobeat for us to climb on top. We were trying to do Afropop. We were trying to do afrobeats. We were trying to do different names. But Baba [Fela] already has something that the world recognized.

“Afrobeat taught me a lot. King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti are our grandfathers. And I’m glad to be in existence to emulate or to follow what they’ve done.”

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