1st January, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Nigerian rapper and singer Panshak Henry Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince, has opened up about the reasons behind the dissolution of Choc Boiz, the rap group he was part of.
The Choc Boiz Collective, which is comprised of M.I., Jesse Jagz, and Ice Prince, is a group of recording artists from Chocolate City, the record label.
The group split after Jesse Jagz and Ice Prince left Chocolate City to form their own record labels, Jesse Jagz Nation and Super Cool Cat, respectively.
However, in a recent interview with Echoo Room, Ice Prince said they felt the need to independently own their platforms, where they would be able to groom young artistes in the industry.
“What happened to Choc Boiz? I would say it is growth,” he said.
“Then I do not know if it was a miscalculation or whatever but one thing that we did back then was we go got to a point where we thought that people like M, people like Jesse, people like Ice, should start up their own companies so we can allow younger artistes come in the game.
“If you remember, there was a time when Chocolate City started looking for young artistes, you know, young artistes like Koker, Ckay, Blaqbonez, had to come in. Now those artistes cannot be sharing a budget with you know that is what it was.”
But when the host asked about Choc Boiz Collective, Ice Prince said Jesse Jagz should have done more to keep the collective together.
He said, “The person that’s responsible for not putting this Choc Boiz Collective musically together is Jesse Jagz. I feel he needs to put more ginger for it to happen.
“Jesse you have to take one for the team, bro. A lot of times the blames always get pointed to M.I. because he is the big bro, he has to take the blame. But Jesse you have to take one for the team. It’s your fault my G. You need Jesse than he is available for the team right now.”
In 2018, M.I Abaga also addressed the disbandment of Choc Boiz.
He said, “I was accused of doing things I did not do and vilified in the media without ever speaking up about it.”
He added that he decided to “forgive” because he is not perfect.