Popular Nigerian Singer, 9ice has said that he once battled a mysterious illness that made him vomit blood for six months.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Nancy Isime Show, the ‘Gongo Aso’ hit maker recounted what he described as a spiritual attack that nearly ended his life around 2009 and 2010.
According to the singer, the illness defied medical treatment and only subsided after he turned to Ifa, the traditional Yoruba belief system.
9ice revealed that the incident became his turning point and led him to embrace traditional African spirituality. He added that he has since become a babaláwo, an Ifa priest.
“When I was vomiting blood for about six months in my own house. I had to leave my house. It happened in 2009/2010. It was not a medical condition,” he said.
“I am not a Christian or a Muslim, I am a Babalawo. I am an African. I am a traditionalist. The first time I experienced ifa was when I was vomiting blood. Someone referred me to ifa. I just wished that I had known ifa at the beginning.”
He referenced Fela Kuti, the late Afrobeat pioneer, as someone who was ahead of his time for embracing traditional practices despite being mocked.
“Fela used to go to Ogun and people were mocking him, but now, I understand,” he added.
The singer also hinted that he has encountered multiple spiritual battles over the course of his career.
9ice shot to fame in 2008 following the release of his album ‘Gongo Aso’.
The project earned him four awards at the 2009 Hip Hop World Awards, including Album of the Year and Artiste of the Year.
He is the founder of Alapomeji Ancestral Records
