Nigerian music star Alexander Adegbola Akande, popularly known as 9ice, has shared a deeply personal story about a life-threatening illness he described as a spiritual attack, and how embracing traditional African spirituality brought him healing.
Speaking on The Nancy Isime Show, the Gongo Aso crooner recounted how between 2009 and 2010, he suffered from a mysterious condition that caused him to vomit blood daily for six months. Despite numerous attempts, medical professionals were unable to explain or treat his symptoms.
“It wasn’t something the hospital could explain,” 9ice said. “I was vomiting blood every day for six months. It got so bad, I had to leave my own house.”
His turning point came when someone referred him to an Ifa priest, marking the beginning of his spiritual transformation.
“That was the first time I experienced Ifa,” he recalled. “Someone referred me, and I got my healing. Since then, I’ve come to understand myself better.”
Reflecting on his journey, the award-winning artist expressed a sense of regret for not connecting with African traditional religion earlier. “I’m not a Christian or a Muslim. I’m a Babalawo — an African traditionalist,” he stated. “I just wish I had embraced Ifa earlier.”
He also spoke about the societal stigma surrounding traditional beliefs, referencing the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. “Fela used to go to Ogun and people mocked him. But now, I understand what he saw. Africans need to reconnect with their roots.”
9ice urged Africans to rediscover pride in their indigenous beliefs and stop associating them with negativity or fear. “It’s who we are,” he said. “Our ancestors weren’t wrong. We just abandoned our identity.”
His revelations contribute to the ongoing conversation about spirituality, cultural identity, and the reclaiming of African heritage in modern society.
