Album review: Testing Ice Prince’s ‘Fire of Zamani’

by James Silas

Ice-Prince-Fire-of-Zamani-cover-art

Panshak ‘Ice Prince’ Zamani, a certified ‘Jos Boy’, marked a milestone with his single “Oleku” in 2010 but before that, he had done several collaborations and literally graced huge stages with his self-proclaimed mentor, M.I Abaga. Most music aficionados knew Ice’ was a time bomb. A “Superstar” to look out for.

The album, ‘Fire of Zamani’ was preceded with three singles: “Aboki”, “More” (August 28, 2012) and “Gimme Dat”. After some time, Ice Prince released the remix of “Aboki” featuring Sarkodie, M.I, Khuli Chana, Wizkid and Mercy Johnson. The final cut of the album released on October 28, 2013 housed 18 songs, which were produced by three beat chefs – Sammy Gyang, Don Jazzy and Chopstix.

For people that paid close attention to Ice Prince’s ‘E.L.I’ album (2011), you’d agree that ‘F.O.Z’ is an extension and an upgrade of that vibe. From the “Starts and Lights” of the album, we hear Ruby Gyang reppin’ for the Loopy Gang; there’s a “Skit” rendition by MC Longs, ushering everybody into what the “Aboki” embeds in his second album.

If this was the story of “My Life”, Chip have “Mercy”, it would be best told with a bottle of “Whiskey” and cups on the table; we will have a Sunny Nneji soundtrack, playing like Nollywood. We’ll make sure we don’t use the “N Word” because this could spell trouble. Some “Tipsy” fellas like Wale and Morell won’t like it and they won’t care if Don Jazzy is on the same table. If everything goes well, we will turn up and go “Jambo” and when we’re done, we’d tell each other “No Die Tomorrow” because that’s exactly what the blood sucking politicians are wishing Nigerians.

Wait! Before we continue, “Gimme Dat” lighter, Burna Boy, Yung L and Olamide need it, and if you refuse, there’ll be “Komotion” – Wizkid say so.

“I Swear”, if this album is about the ‘Fire of Zamani’, then French
Montana didn’t come with a match-stick. The song would have sounded better with another *“Person Wey Sabi”*. No disrespect, but the dude was dry. Thank God, M.I and Jesse Jagz came with some *“Kpako”* to heat up the ‘FIRE’ and we’ll all agree that it is safer to kiss and not tell. Many ladies “Pray” to have a guy like Sound Sultan; he’d love them for free. A guy like Ice Prince could be asking for *“More”* than they can offer.

At the end of this story or album as the case may be, I go “On My Knees” with Jeremiah Gyang, hoping readers understand that ‘FIRE OF ZAMANI’ is not just a display of songs for an album sake; this album is about good music, great production and topnotch mastering. It’s an album for everybody like ‘E.L.I’, it’s about growth, success and an artiste, a superstar that may never be forgotten in years to come.

One comment

  1. Well written

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