Alexander Adegbola Akande, widely known as 9ice, has disclosed that he has served as a Babalawo, a traditional Ifa priest, for more than 18 years. The revelation came in a viral video where the musician detailed his spiritual path, stating he kept his role private due to concerns about public perception. 9ice emphasized that his initiation into the Ifa priesthood occurred long ago and has remained an integral part of his life. He explained that the decision to remain silent was personal, driven by fears of misunderstanding or backlash from fans and the broader public. The singer did not specify the exact date of his initiation or the deity he serves. However, he affirmed his commitment to the spiritual practice, describing it as a calling rather than a contradiction to his music career. 9ice also noted that his dual identity has allowed him deeper insight into African traditions and cosmology. The video has sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms, with reactions ranging from admiration to surprise.
9ice's admission of being a Babalawo for over 18 years challenges the rigid boundaries often imposed on Nigerian celebrities, where public image is expected to align with secular entertainment personas. The fact that he practiced in silence for nearly two decades suggests the weight of societal judgment on spiritual identity, especially when it intersects with fame.
In a country where traditional religion is often sidelined in favor of Christianity or Islam, 9ice's quiet adherence to Ifa speaks to a deeper cultural reclamation. His journey reflects a growing but understated resurgence of pride in indigenous African spirituality among public figures. By choosing to reveal this only now, after years of silence, the singer underscores how spiritual authenticity can be at odds with celebrity survival in Nigeria's judgmental public sphere.
For ordinary Nigerians, especially younger generations navigating identity in a globalized world, 9ice's story offers a rare validation of indigenous belief systems. It affirms that traditional roles are not relics but living practices, even among those at the peak of pop culture.
This moment fits into a broader shift: more Nigerian artists are reconnecting with pre-colonial roots, not as performance but as personal truth.
