Alexander Adegbola Akande, a Nigerian singer better known as 9ice, has revealed that despite being famous at the beginning of his music career, he was financially struggling.
Post Nigeria learned that the singer of the popular track ‘Gongo Aso’ made this revelation during the latest episode of the Chart with Sims podcast.
He said, “Don’t become popular o, make money. When I started, I was popular but I didn’t have money.”
He added that money finally started coming after he put in work.
9ice said, “The money didn’t just come in, I had to do the right thing. As at then we were depending so much on Alaba International Market. Then we didn’t have Facebook, Instagram and the rest. If you want your song to be popular in Kaduna, you have to go to Kaduna to do a radio interview. You have to be there for people to see you.”
“So, when the money started coming was when we put in the hustle and we marketed the brand by doing print interviews like newspapers, magazines; putting your face out there. I mean, there are sometimes people have good songs and they [fans] don’t even know what you look like.
“I think it is not just about getting popular. But putting your brand out there. Market it, promote it. Let your face be known and the money aspect will come later,” he added.
