Starters feels more like a placeholder; it reminds listeners of Ice Prince’s talent, but leaves them wishing for a more refined body of work.
By Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro
If there was ever a Nigerian Hip-Hop talent who had one of the biggest breakout years of the 2010s, it wouldn’t be surprising if fingers pointed to Panshak Henry Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince. Rarely do we see the trajectory of rappers from the West African nation take off the way his did. Ice Prince’s 2011 breakout hit, “Oleku”, was on the lips of Nigerians, both old and young, who memorised every verse.
In fact, the single was so impactful that it sparked a wave of remixes, becoming one of the most remixed Nigerian songs of all time. By the time his debut album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince, was released later that year, he was already a household name.
The impact of his debut album was so instantaneous that conversations arose about whether his subsequent project would live up to the hype and match the standards that had been set. But that wasn’t a problem for Ice Prince, who, in 2013, released Fire of Zamani, a formidable work of art that not only scaled the sophomore slump but catapulted him to the summit of his career. Tracks from the project such as “Aboki”, “Jumbo”, “Whiskey”, “Tipsy”, and “N Word” showcased Ice Prince’s versatility as a rapper who could effortlessly deliver Afro-Pop numbers when he pleased.
After a long, illustrious career marked by a slew of national and even global recognitions, Ice Prince is back with his latest project, Starters, a joint effort with long-time producer and collaborator, Chopstix.
His re-emergence on the scene comes at a time when Nigerian Hip-Hop has faced scrutiny over what truly constitutes rap as an art form. More so, there have been considerably fewer Hip-Hop projects breaking into mainstream consciousness, save for the likes of Odumodublvck and Shallipopi holding the fort. Starters, in some sense, shouldn’t be treated as a comeback, because it isn’t. Instead, it should be viewed as a deliberate extension of Ice Prince’s expansive discography.
On its opener, “Shakur”, a wordplay on the legendary rap icon, Tupac Shakur, and a slang for being fly, Ice Prince coasts over a composition bolstered by mid-tempo drum rolls, sonic brass elements, and a bass guitar that makes the track worthwhile. His delivery is straightforward, yet carries hints of the brilliance that has defined his career. “99 problems, soldier go, soldier come/ But I still dey show them say old soldier nor dey run”, he spits, asserting his place in Naija Hip-Hop’s hall of fame. It’s the kind of song you want to play in your car as you cruise through midday traffic.
On “Only Son”, Ice Prince engages in an internal dialogue about his tumultuous beginnings before fame, juxtaposing them with his current status. His delivery is soft and sombre as he offers words of wisdom over gentle piano chords and drums. Chopstix, over the years, has remained a regal figure in producing some of the finest records out of Nigeria, and on “Slap The Ring”, it’s easy to see why. The drum rolls feel particularly nostalgic, echoing similar treatments on 2 Much’s 1988 track, “Wild Thang”, which is famously sampled on LL Cool J’s 1995 classic, “Doin’ It”. There’s a certain swagger to Ice Prince’s armchair Cuban cigar flow; almost as if he knows he doesn’t need to exert himself to get his point across.
The first feature on Starters comes in the form of Street-Pop acts, Bella Shmurda and TML Vibez on “Loke”. Over a mid-tempo, breezy tune, the trio offer thanks to the divine for how their lives have turned out. While Ice Prince and TML Vibez inject the song with dynamism, it’s difficult to outshine Shmurda’s stellar contribution. On “Roots”, Ice Prince once again offers a window into his life, reflecting on his personal journey in the first verse, and on his city, Jos, in the second. He raps about how the craft that brought him fame has transformed his life and earned him the respect of his hometown.
“Thinking About You” sees the rapper penning an emotional letter for a love gone sour, as a romantic relationship turns sour. His annoyance is palpable in these lines, “Lately, I’ve been thinking about a lot, and you’re not on the list/ Matter of fact, my top six just goes something like this/ More money, more cars, more house, more chicks/ More bangers and couple registered businesses”. Albeit, these lines and others, attempt to mask the hurt of losing her.
On Starters’ penultimate track, “Jekinla”, Chopstix once again proves why he’s a staple in Nigeria’s music scene, delivering a composition so textured and layered that Ice Prince’s flow doesn’t quite match up. Perhaps the project’s best offering comes in the Drill-infused “Red Lights”, produced by the late BeatsbyJayy. Featuring PsychoYP and Ajebo Hustlers, the track bursts with energy, powered by the dynamism of the featured acts.
Starters is a decent return for Ice Prince, offering glimpses of the lyrical finesse and charisma that have defined his career over the years. The project leans heavily on his strengths: measured flows and the occasional introspective cuts, delivered over well-crafted Chopstix’s compositions.
Albeit, the project falls short in areas that could have elevated it from simply decent to truly remarkable. One of its obvious drawbacks is its lack of strong A&R supervision. Starters would have benefited from a more rigorous curation, as songs like “Only Son”, “Thinking About You”, and “Jekinla” show potential but ultimately suffer from verses that feel undercooked.
Moreso, the project rarely strays from familiar territory, and while it is understandable that a lyricist of Ice Prince’s calibre would want to remain in a lane he has mastered, there’s a missed opportunity to push the boundaries of what we’ve come to expect from him. Ultimately, Starters feels more like a placeholder; it reminds listeners of Ice Prince’s talent, but leaves them wishing for a more refined body of work.
Lyricism – 1.4
Tracklisting – 1.3
Sound Engineering – 1.6
Vocalisation – 1.3
Listening Experience – 1.4
Rating – 7/10
Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro is a content writer and journo with an insatiable knack for music and pop culture, with bylines on Afrocritik, PM News Nigeria, Tribune, ThisDay Live, Vanguard, and The Guardian. When he’s not writing, you will find him arguing why Arsenal FC is the best football club in the multiverse. Connect with him on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads: @BughiLorde.