Ice Prince’s ‘Fire of Zamani’ isn’t hot enough [Album Review]

Album: Fire of Zamani
Artiste: Ice Prince
Guest Artistes: Ruby Gyang, Jeremiah Gyang, Sunny Neji, Sound Sultan, Burna Boy, Morell, Wale, Chip, Olamide, Yung EL, Wizkid, Jesse Jagz, M.I
Producers: Chopstix, E-Kelly, Don Jazzy, J Sleek, Don Jazzy
Record Label: Chocolate City (2013)
Duration: 1 hour 1 minute

Ice Prince is not the best of writers. In hip-hop circles he is regarded as a rapper and not a lyricist. His success has depended on dope beats, catchy hooks and simple lines. These three factors led to the success of his debut album Everybody Loves Ice Prince and are still the foundation of his success till date.

On his second album Fire of Zamani, it’s the same style but with less aggression. Panshak Zamani is a millionaire now and finding himself in a new tax bracket may have dulled a bit of his bite. Conceptually Fire of Zamani is sketchy to say the least. It is a confusing mix of introspection, celebration and aspiration. The product‘I’ve been through the rain/been through the pain/been through a lot of sh*t/been through the same/I’ve seen a planet fall and the thunder causing the rain‘ spits Ice on the introductory track ‘Stars and Light’ featuring Ruby Gyang. The song is a loose chronicle of Ice’s rise to the top and how he is still striving for more. He gives the song a personal twist when he talks about his sister’s best friend asking him for money.