Lagos, Nigeria – Africa Live News – Nigerian music icon 9ice has sparked fresh conversation in the entertainment industry with a bold claim: his long-held Grammy ambition, voiced in his 2008 hit single “Street Credibility” featuring 2Face Idibia, has finally been realized—not by him, but through his colleague Burna Boy.
Appearing on the latest episode of The Nancy Isime Show, 9ice tackled the ridicule he has faced over the years for declaring he would one day bring home a Grammy Award. The veteran singer, known for blending Yoruba traditions with contemporary sound, insists that his prophetic lyrics were not in vain, even though he personally hasn’t clinched the coveted international honour.
“I was talking about Grammy and I wasn’t given, Burna [Boy] got it. We [Nigerians] never get am?” 9ice quizzed rhetorically during the interview.
“At the time I was talking about it, it wasn’t even attainable for Afropop artists at all. That’s why I said when artists sing, they can be passing messages. That’s why it’s also important for artists to be very careful of their lyrics because music is spiritual.”
From Ambition to Fulfilment
The conversation stems from 9ice’s verse in “Street Credibility,” where he boldly sang, “Don’t doubt me, I go bring you Grammy.” The line became both a cultural catchphrase and a source of ridicule in subsequent years, especially as the award continued to elude him.
But in 2021, Burna Boy made history at the 63rd Grammy Awards by winning Best Global Music Album for his critically acclaimed project Twice As Tall. He became the first Nigerian solo artist to achieve such a feat, a moment that 9ice now sees as the manifestation of a vision he had been preaching for over a decade.
“People mocked me, saying ‘where’s your Grammy?’ But that prophecy was bigger than me—it was about the movement,” 9ice said.
He emphasized that the environment in 2008 was radically different from today’s global music scene. The idea of a Nigerian Afropop artist winning a Grammy at the time seemed like a distant dream, considering the genre was still fighting for mainstream international recognition.
The Rise of Afrobeats on the Global Stage
9ice’s recent statements have reignited discussions about the evolution of Nigerian music on the world stage. Afrobeats, once considered a niche genre, has now become a global force with artists like Wizkid, Davido, Tems, Rema, and of course, Burna Boy, selling out international arenas and collaborating with global superstars.
While 9ice may not have secured a Grammy himself, many in the industry credit him and his contemporaries from the early 2000s for laying the groundwork that made these global breakthroughs possible.
“He might not have won it, but he inspired a whole generation to dream big,” music critic Ayo Olaoluwa told Africa Live News.
“You have to remember what the industry looked like back then. 9ice was talking about Grammys when the infrastructure and visibility were just not there. That kind of ambition helped push the boundaries.”
Musical Legacy and Spirituality
In his interview, 9ice stressed the power of lyrics and the spiritual nature of music. He advised fellow artists to be conscious of the messages they pass through their songs.
“Music is not just sound. It’s energy. It’s prophecy. When I sang that line, it came from a deep place—and see what happened. Burna fulfilled it,” he reflected.
This view resonates with the growing belief among many African artists that music is not only a form of entertainment but also a tool for vision casting, healing, and mobilization.
The “Gongo Aso” crooner also hinted that more success stories will emerge from the Nigerian music industry, urging upcoming artists to keep believing in their craft, regardless of criticism.
Mixed Reactions Trail His Comments
Reactions on social media have been divided. While some fans have applauded 9ice for speaking his truth and acknowledging Burna Boy’s win as a collective victory, others have criticized him for allegedly trying to take partial credit for another artist’s achievement.
However, prominent music journalist Joey Akan defended 9ice’s statement on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“9ice was one of the earliest visionaries. He dared to dream. If Burna’s win feels like a fulfillment to him, it’s valid. He’s part of the story.”
Looking Ahead
9ice has hinted at new music in the works, with themes that continue to draw from cultural pride, resilience, and hope. While a Grammy may still be on his personal bucket list, the singer seems content knowing his voice contributed to a movement that has now gone global.
“As long as Nigeria is winning, we all are winning,” 9ice concluded. “We dreamed of this day, and it’s only the beginning.”
With Afrobeats now an indomitable global force and younger Nigerian artists topping global charts, perhaps 9ice’s words will continue to echo as a reminder that even the boldest dreams can eventually come true—if not by the dreamer, then by the generation that follows.
