Nigerian singer 9ice, known for his breakout hit Gongo Aso, has made a startling revelation about a near-death experience that changed his spiritual path forever.

Speaking on The Nancy Isime Show, 9ice (real name Alexander Abolore Adegbola Akande) said he suffered a mysterious illness between 2009 and 2010, which caused him to vomit blood for six consecutive months a condition he described as spiritual rather than medical.

“When I was vomiting blood for about six months in my own house, I had to leave. It was not a medical condition,” 9ice recounted.

According to the award-winning artist, medications prescribed from the hospital offered no solution. Desperate for help, he turned to Ifa, the traditional Yoruba spiritual system. That moment, he said, marked a spiritual awakening that not only healed him but also changed his belief system.

“Someone referred me to Ifa. I just wished I had known Ifa at the beginning,” he shared.

Now a babaláwo (Ifa priest), 9ice no longer identifies as a Christian or Muslim. He proudly embraces his African traditionalist identity, saying it saved his life and gave him deeper clarity.

Reflecting on legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, 9ice said he now understands Fela’s commitment to African spirituality—once mocked, now deeply respected.

“Fela used to go to Ogun and people were mocking him, but now, I understand,” he said, nodding to Fela’s worship of the Yoruba god of iron.

9ice rose to fame in 2008 with Gongo Aso, an album that 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, reflecting his strong connection to cultural roots.