Panshak Henry Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince, was born on October 30, 1986, in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
When he was just two years old, his family moved to Jos, Plateau State, a city that would later shape his personality, friendships, and musical journey.
Growing up in Jos, he attended St. Murumba College before moving to Science Tutorial College, where his passion for music began to take clearer shape.
Ice Prince later gained admission into the University of Jos to study Zoology, but financial challenges forced him to withdraw before completing the programme.
His childhood was marked by deep emotional loss. He lost his father in 1999, a tragedy that made him take on responsibilities at a young age.
Years later, in 2011, he lost his mother, a painful moment that he has repeatedly described as one of the hardest events of his life.
Despite these hardships, music became his escape. He began writing rap lyrics around 1998/1999 and performed at school events, quickly earning attention for his unique style.
By 2001, he was already recording in studios around Jos, laying the foundation for his professional career.
In 2002, he joined friends to form a rap group known as ECOMOG Squad. The group performed briefly before disbanding after about a year.
A few years later, things changed when he met M.I Abaga, Jesse Jagz and other emerging talents in Jos. Together, they bonded and eventually formed what became known as the Loopy Crew.
In 2004, Ice Prince released his early singles “Extraordinary” and “Rewind,” both of which earned him recognition in Jos and kept his name growing in underground hip-hop circles.
His breakthrough, however, came in 2010 with the release of “Oleku,” featuring Brymo — a song that became one of the most remixed Nigerian singles of all time.
“Oleku” turned Ice Prince into a national sensation, topping charts and making him one of the most talked-about artists in the country.
In 2011, he released his debut album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince, an emotional project inspired partly by the love and support he received after the loss of his mother.
He followed this up with more albums including Fire of Zamani in 2013 and Jos to the World in 2016, each reflecting his growth and evolution as an artist.
He has cited global influences such as Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Tupac and Kanye West, while also celebrating the impact of Nigerian acts like M.I Abaga and Jesse Jagz on his artistry.
After years under Chocolate City, Ice Prince took a bold step toward independence by founding his own label, Super Cool Cats, demonstrating his interest in entrepreneurship and talent development.
Away from music, Ice Prince is also a proud father. His son, Jamal Zamani, born on March 1, 2012, remains one of his greatest joys and inspirations.
Looking back at his journey — from losing both parents to dropping out of school and struggling to survive — he often speaks about how adversity shaped his strength and resolve.
Today, Ice Prince is celebrated as one of the most influential figures in Nigerian hip-hop. His story continues to inspire many young artists who look up to him as proof that resilience, talent and determination can change a life forever.
