Nigerian rapper Ice Prince has addressed a common misconception among music enthusiasts that Davido was the first African artist to receive a BET award on stage at the ceremony.
The Oleku crooner set the record straight, asserting that he achieved the milestone before Davido, contrary to popular belief. Ice Prince’s comments reignited discussions about the representation of African artists at international award ceremonies and the gradual recognition of their contributions to the global music scene.
His statements highlight the evolution of BET’s approach to acknowledging African talent, which until a few years ago, was relegated to backstage presentations.
Speaking on a recent episode of Listening, Ice Prince emphasized his historic achievement of receiving the BET Best International Act, Africa award on stage in 2013. He revealed that this accomplishment broke the tradition of presenting African artists their awards behind the scenes.
According to him, he is often overlooked in favor of Davido, who many credit with the feat due to his memorable acceptance speech at the 2018 BET Awards. Ice Prince confidently stated, “I am the first African artist to go on a BET stage and receive an award solo… When you guys talk about it, you guys give that credit to Davido.”
His remarks underline the importance of setting the record straight regarding African artists’ contributions to global music platforms.
Davido’s 2018 BET Award win was indeed a significant moment, particularly for his powerful acceptance speech that called for stronger collaborations between African and American artists. His speech resonated with the audience, earning widespread praise for highlighting Africa’s growing influence in the global music industry.
While Davido’s win is often celebrated, Ice Prince’s earlier achievement paved the way for moments like this by challenging the status quo of African artists receiving awards out of the spotlight. Ice Prince’s assertion sheds light on the importance of recognizing milestones that have collectively propelled African music into mainstream visibility.
In addition to discussing his music career, Ice Prince also reflected on a challenging chapter of his life — his six-day stint at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos. The rapper was incarcerated in September 2022 following allegations of assaulting a police officer during a stop-and-search operation.
He described the experience as deeply harrowing, likening it to a different world that he wouldn’t wish upon his worst enemy. “You have to be careful out there because mistakes can take you there. There are so many innocent people in there,” he said, offering a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities many face within the judicial system.
Providing his side of the story, Ice Prince explained that his arrest was the result of a misunderstanding. He claimed he had been joking with the officer when he drove off during the routine stop. However, the situation quickly escalated, leading to his imprisonment.
The ordeal left a profound impact on the rapper, who has since been vocal about the lessons he learned from the experience. Through his account, Ice Prince shed light on the harsh realities of incarceration in Nigeria and the need for greater empathy and understanding in such circumstances.
