By Kunle Rasheed
I must confess that I am a die-hard fan of my brother and friend, Abolore Adegbola Akande, who is famously known by his stage name 9ice Alapomeji. I love his unique flow so much, because, they are not only different from what we are used to; his infusion of Yoruba tradition and culture has always been the major attraction for me aside his sonorous voice.
Recently, however, I stumbled upon his latest effort—a 13-track album titled Beginning Of Wisdom (BOW):—and I became genuinely worried for the man who once set the entertainment world on fire with numerous bangers. My fear was not connected to his inability to deliver; rather, it stemmed from the hypocritical nature of our society, which glorifies everything imported and discards what truly belongs to us.
The new songs are centered on Ifa deities and elements of African Traditional Religion (ATR). Beyond its primary role of entertainment, I know music can also serve as a powerful tool for information and education. This 9ice’s new project, in my view, did justice by opening people’s eyes to the light within our African Traditional Religion, which is, in truth, like any other religion—especially the two most popular ones that came from outside our shores.
I was sincerely concerned about his career because I know how easily our people can cage and relegate someone, simply branding him aborisha ni.
While I was still processing all this, I met Fuji superstar Wasiu Alabi Odetola (Pasuma) at a function in Egbeda, a suburb of Lagos, and I shared my fears with him about 9ice’s latest effort. Pasuma told me he had met 9ice earlier that same day and had jokingly warned him that he shouldn’t have dedicated all 13 tracks to his new belief. We went back and forth on how deeply rooted Islam and Christianity are among our people, and how that could make them push 9ice away.
I had promised the Orobokibo crooner that I would pen my thoughts on the issue, but somehow I couldn’t pull myself together to do just that until I saw Qdot publicly renounce Islam and announce that he is now fully a traditionalist. Around the same time, similar news emerged about Koko Zaria, a popular NURTW member, who also claimed he no longer wanted Islam.
This development got me thinking deeply. Is this not similar to the renaissance that occurred in Europe, which eventually positioned them as global leaders during the Industrial Revolution? It was a period when people woke up from slumber and said otooge to blind religious dominance, and embraced new ways of thinking and progress.
With Qdot joining this movement, I am convinced that many more will follow—not necessarily because of the influence they command, but because people are gradually awakening from a long-standing mental slavery. 9ice and Qdot are not alone in this crusade; many others are willing to join them. In fact, I have been seeing skits and videos where people openly question the shady aspects of the religions we call “holy,” often at the expense of our own.
Recently, a young girl trended after commenting on how people revere the River Jordan but despise the Osun River.
For those close to me, this is not a new conversation. I spoke about this well over 15 years ago. It was Iba Gani Adams who once engaged me in a discussion about the need for our people to appreciate what is truly ours. The Aare Ona Kakanfo spoke about how people respect the waters of the Zamzam well and the River Jordan. The same reverence is accorded to Mount Arafat and Mount Sinai, where believers assume their prayers will surely be answered. Yet, the moment Olumo Rock in Abeokuta (ogun) or Oke Erimo in Osun state is mentioned, our people are quick to label them as evil, claiming they belong to the devil.
Like Alice in Wonderland, I often wonder about the difference between the rocks of Mecca and Jerusalem, and those of Africa—Nigeria in particular.
This conversation is far from over, In fact, it is just beginning, despite knowing how sensitive it is. Until then, let’s keep the conversation going.
