Popular Nigerian musician, Abolore Adegbola Akande, better known as 9ice, has revealed that he plans to get a tribal mark when he turns 50, in honour of his father.
The 45-year-old made the disclosure in a video shared on his TikTok page, where he spoke passionately about wanting to carry a symbol of his heritage.
9ice, who hails from Ogbomosho in Oyo State, said the decision is personal and deeply cultural. He explained that his father wears the mark, and he feels it is something he should also carry to honour his roots.
“By the time I’m 50, I will get the same mark as my dad,” 9ice said. “That’s what I want to do for my birthday. A lot of my boys said I won’t do it, but you will see.”
The singer, widely celebrated for his proverb-rich Yoruba lyrics, rose to fame in 2008 with his hit song ‘Gongo Aso’, which became an anthem across Nigeria and beyond. His music style blends deep Yoruba traditions with modern Afrobeat, earning him a unique space in the Nigerian music scene.
In a previous interview with TV host Nancy Isime, 9ice opened up about his spiritual journey, revealing that he is a traditional worshipper. He said his turn to traditional beliefs came after a long period of illness during which he vomited blood for six months.
According to him, he visited an Ifa priest on someone’s advice and was eventually healed. Looking back, he said he wished he had embraced traditional worship earlier.
“I was spiritually attacked and was vomiting blood. Someone referred me to an Ifa priest. I got healed, and I regretted not going there earlier,” he said.
His plan to get a tribal mark has stirred discussions online, with many praising his desire to embrace tradition, while others question the relevance of such marks in modern society.
As he looks forward to his 50th birthday, 9ice is clearly preparing for more than just a celebration — he’s planning a personal journey back to his cultural and family roots.
