Singer 9ice breaks silence on Ifa Faith, reveals 18-year journey as Babalawo

Veteran Nigerian artiste 9ice, born Akande Abolore Adegbola Alexander, has stirred widespread reactions after publicly declaring his identity as a practitioner of Ifa.

The “Gongo Aso” hitmaker revealed during a recent event that he has been a Babalawo (Ifa priest) for over 18 years, shedding light on a deeply personal aspect of his life that had remained hidden from the public.

According to him, he deliberately kept his spiritual path private for nearly two decades due to concerns that fans and the public might stigmatise or distance themselves from him.

“I chose to hide my religion because I believed people would start avoiding me if they found out,” 9ice explained. He further noted that he spent years consulting elders within the faith to master the workings of the religion, including the observance of Odun Ifa, a traditional period of thanksgiving.

The revelation has sent shockwaves through his fanbase, prompting many to revisit his past lyrics. While some fans expressed disbelief, others pointed out that the singer’s heavy use of deep Yoruba proverbs and ancestral references has long suggested a spiritual leaning toward tradition rather than mainstream Western religions.

This confession follows previous comments made by the singer regarding the “deeply spiritual” nature of the music industry and his own experiences with non-medical illnesses that he claims lasted for years.