Everybody Loves Ice Prince

Everybody Loves Ice Prince
Studio album by Ice Prince
Released October 9, 2011 (2011-10-09)
Recorded 2010-2011
Genre Hip hop, naija, R&B, afrobeat, dancehall, raga, reggae, soul, highlife
Length 72:02
Label Chocolate City
Producer
Ice Prince chronology
Everybody Loves Ice Prince
(2011)		 Fire of Zamani
(2013)
Singles from Everybody Loves Ice Prince
  1. "Oleku"
    Released: June 8, 2010
  2. "Superstar"
    Released: April 22, 2011
  3. "Juju"
    Released: February 18, 2012
  4. "Magician"
    Released: March 4, 2012

Everybody Loves Ice Prince (stylized as E.L.I) is the debut studio album by Nigerian recording artist Ice Prince, released by Chocolate City on October 9, 2011. The album was recorded in 2010. The Abaga brothers, Jude and Jesse, worked to produce the album along with Audu Maikori, Yahaya Maikori and Paul Okeugo, among others. The album featured several guest appearances from Wizkid, Tuface Idibia and Brymo, the latter of whom is featured on the lead single "Oleku".

The album is predominantly Naija Hip hop in genre, but incorporates elements of other musical styles such as dancehall and afrobeat. It was the most anticipated Nigerian release of 2011, as Ice Prince had collected a huge amount of popularity from his singles "Oleku" and "Superstar".

Everybody Loves Ice Prince received mixed reviews from music critics who thought it was a generally good album, but did not live up to the hype surrounding it, seeing as it was the most anticipated Nigerian release of 2011.

Background and recording

Ice Prince got signed to the Chocolate City in 2009. He spent the next year featuring on the tracks of other artists, including Naeto C and Banky W.[1] In the meanwhile, behind the scenes, he was working on his debut album with labelmates Brymo, M.I and Jesse Jagz. On June 8, 2011, with the release of "Oleku", Ice prince started gaining recognition in Nigeria.[2] "Oleku" was met with great reception and created great anticipation behind Ice Prince's debut album.[3] Work on the album continued into 2011. On April 22, 2011, the second single from the album was released. "Superstar" received radio airplay but was not as successful as "Oleku".[4] On September 9, 2011, Ice Prince and Chocolate City announced the album's title and release date.[5]

After the death of his mother, Ice Prince received an outpouring of love and support from his fans. In writing the album, Ice Prince wanted to create a work that would not let his fans down after all they had done for him.[6]

Days before the release, the album was known simply as E.L.I., and the full title was kept under wraps.[7] There was much speculation as to what E.L.I. might stand for until Chocolate City announced that it was an acronym for Everybody Loves Ice Prince.[8] When asked in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune how he came about the title, Ice Prince replied: "At first, I wanted to name the album after the street I used to live in Jos but when I lost my mother, ‘the mad love’ I got from everybody around the world made me change it to Everybody Loves Ice Prince".[9]

Influence and sound

Everybody Loves Ice Prince incorporates many genres of West African music. It is predominantly a collection of hip hop records, but incorporates elements of R&B, dancehall, raga, afrobeat, reggae, highlife and soul.[10] Ice Prince deliberately moved in this direction to avoid being seen as “just another rapper”. In an interview with Naija Entertainment, Ice Price said Everybody Loves Ice Prince is a fusion of many genres. "I don’t want to be seen as just a rapper; in fact, I love singing more than rapping."[6]

According to Chocolate City, Everybody Loves Ice Prince is an album centered around and influenced by love and music.[8] Ice Prince cites that his work drew a lot of influence and motivation from his mother’s death, and the outpouring of love and encouragement he received as consolation from his fans.[11]

All songs on the album were written by Panshak Zamani except where the track features another artist, in which case that artist was also involved in the writing for that track.[12]

Singles

The album's earliest singles were "Oleku" and "Superstar".[13][14] It was alleged that "Oleku" was the most downloaded and mixed Nigerian single of 2010.[15] "Juju" is the third single from this album. The music video for the single was directed by Godfather Productions, a South Africa based production company. The music video was leaked on February 18, 2012.[16]

Release

Everybody Loves Ice Prince was launched in Lagos on 9 October 2011 at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotels and Suites.[17] The launch concert was incredibly anticipated and starred Ice Prince with a live band consisting of Chocolate City labelmates and producers Jesse Jagz and M.I on drums and keyboard respectively. The concert, put together by Chocolate City, also featured Tuface Idibia, D'banj, Wizkid, Naeto C, D'Prince, Tiwa Savage, Samklef, Brymo, Hip Hop Pantsula and Sarkodie.[18] The DJ for the night was The Beat 99.9 FM and Chocolate City in-house jockey DJ Caise, while the concert was hosted by radio personality Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa and actress Funke Akindele. The show started four hours behind schedule, but the delay did not in any way dampen the expectation of the audience who waited patiently for the show to take off.[19]

Critical reception

Everybody Loves Ice Prince received mixed reviews from music critics. It was generally a good album, but did not live up to the hype surrounding it. Some critics found that in an attempt to appeal to a majority of the public by mixing in a lot of genres, Ice Prince lost the direction and unifying sound of a pure hip hop record.[20] Others have commended Ice Prince on adding other genres because they feel that it creates a new sound and adds variety to the listening experience. The variety of styles reflects on the full scope of the music Ice Prince writes, rather than just one section of it.[21][22]

Another criticism of the album was that it varies greatly in the quality of the music. Some critics found that the album was made up of several excellent songs, strung together by a fleet of bad ones. A common complaint was that the lyrics were full of cheesy lines, which do not help his (Ice Prince’s) credibility.[23] The album was commended on its catchy singable tunes and public appeal. Generally, Everybody Loves Ice Prince was praised for being a great shot at a debut album, if not slightly over hyped.[24]

Accolades

E.L.I won Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2012.[25]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2012 The Headies Best Rap Album Won
Album of the Year Nominated

Track listing

No. TitleProducer(s) Length
1. "Remember (Intro)"  Jude Abaga 4:18
2. "Juju"  Jesse Abaga 4:52
3. "Superstar"  Jesse Abaga 4:18
4. "Magician" (featuring YungL & J-Milla)Jesse Abaga 3:54
5. "Baby"  Jesse Abaga 3:48
6. "Olofofo" (featuring Wizkid)Jude Abaga 4:42
7. "See Myself"  Jesse Abaga 4:15
8. "Wassup Wassup" (featuring Tuface Idibia)Jesse Abaga 3:53
9. "Oleku" (featuring Brymo)Jesse Abaga 4:50
10. "Find You"  Jesse Abaga 4:17
11. "By This Time" (featuring WizBoyy)WizBoyy 4:00
12. "Somebody Lied"  E Kelly 3:59
13. "Small Small" (featuring Sean Tero)Jesse Abaga 4:24
14. "That Nigga" (featuring Morell)Jesse Abaga 4:30
15. "End Of Story" (featuring Samklef)Samklef 3:58
16. "Raindrops (It’s All Good)"  Jesse Abaga 4:38
17. "Thank You" (featuring Chocboiz)Chopstix, Jude Abaga 3:26
Total length:
 72:02

Personnel

  • Panshak Zamani – vocals, art direction, composition
  • Jesse Abaga – background vocals, production
  • Jude Abaga – background vocals, production
  • Ogbonnaya “Big Meech” Chukwudi – Design
  • Augustine Victor Udoh – Photography
  • Bishmang Nanle – A & R / Management
  • Doosuur Tilley Gyado – A & R / Management

References

  1. ↑ "New Music: YQ Feat. M.I, eLDee, Naeto C, Ice Prince & Banky W". 28 August 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  2. ↑ "12 Albums To Buy In 2011". 16 January 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  3. ↑ "Music video for Oleku - Ice Prince ft Brymo". 17 February 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  4. ↑ "BN Bytes: Everybody Loves Ice Prince! – Album Drops 9-10-11". 9 September 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  5. ↑ "Ice Prince To Release Debut Album, Oct 9". 9 September 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Why everybody loves Ice Prince – Ice Prince". 1 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  7. ↑ "Ice Prince's Album E.L.I. Drops 10/09/11". 21 September 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  8. 1 2 "EVERYBODY LOVES ICE PRINCE". 17 September 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  9. ↑ "I wear caps to cover my big head - Ice prince". 2 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  10. ↑ "Why Everybody Loves Ice Prince". 2 October 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  11. ↑ "Panshak "Ice Prince" Zamani's Mother Is Dead!". 5 May 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  12. ↑ "Everybody Loves Ice Prince Album Art + Track Listing [IcePrince #ELI]". 4 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  13. ↑ "Nigeria: Ice Prince Drops Début Album". 11 September 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  14. ↑ "Ice Prince's album debuts today". 4 October 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  15. ↑ "Ice Prince set for 'E.L.I (Everyone Loves Ice Prince)'". 14 September 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  16. ↑ "New Video: Ice Prince – Juju (Leaked Version)". Bellanaija. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  17. ↑ "Everybody Loves Ice Prince on 10/9/11". 18 September 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  18. ↑ "How "everybody loves Ice Prince" went". 14 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  19. ↑ "Ice Prince breaks the ice". 14 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  20. ↑ "Review Ice Prince – Everybody Loves Ice Prince #ELI". 10 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  21. ↑ "Album Review: IcePrince – Everybody Loves IcePrince". 17 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  22. ↑ "Everybody loves Ice Prince {E.L.I.}- Review(1)". 15 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  23. ↑ "Everybody Loves Ice Prince [Album Review]". 12 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  24. ↑ "Ice Prince Zamani ELI [Album Review]". 10 October 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  25. ↑ Alonge, Osagie (21 October 2012). "Psquare, Wizkid, Vector emerge top winners at The Headies 2012". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
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