Nigerian musician Abolore Adegbola Akande, popularly known as 9ice, has revealed his intention to get a tribal mark when he turns 50 years old, as a tribute to his father.
The 45-year-old singer made this known in a recent video shared on his TikTok page, where he spoke passionately about preserving his family’s cultural heritage.
According to the Ogbomosho-born artiste, the decision stems from his deep respect for his father, who bears the traditional mark.
“By the time I’m 50, I will get the same mark as my dad. That’s what I want to do for my birthday. A lot of my boys said I won’t do that, but you will see,” he said.
9ice, who rose to national fame with his 2008 hit single “Gongo Aso,” is celebrated for his mastery of the Yoruba language, proverbial lyrics, and distinct vocal style. Over the years, he has released several chart-topping songs and remains one of Nigeria’s most culturally rooted entertainers.
In a 2025 interview with Nancy Isime, 9ice opened up about his spiritual journey, revealing that he is now a traditional worshipper. He recounted how his path to traditional religion began when he suffered a mysterious illness that left him vomiting blood for six months.
According to him, a referral to an Ifa priest led to his recovery — an experience that changed his beliefs and made him embrace traditional spirituality. “After getting healed, I regretted not becoming a traditionalist earlier,” he admitted.
As he approaches his golden jubilee, 9ice’s plan to adopt his father’s tribal mark has sparked conversations among fans about cultural identity and the preservation of Yoruba traditions in modern times.
