Released August 28, 2012 Recorded 2013 Length 3:07 | Format Digital download Genre Hip hop Label Chocolate City | |
"Aboki" (Hausa: "Friend") is a song by Nigerian hip hop recording artist Ice Prince. It was released on August 28, 2012 as the lead single from his second studio album, Fire of Zamani. The song was produced by Chopstix and released along with "More". It peaked at number 92 on Afribiz's Top 100 chart.
Contents
Meaning
According to Nigerian Sounds, "Aboki" means friend in Hausa; the song celebrates some of the most successful people hailing from Northern Nigeria. Commenting on the single, Ice Prince said: "I’m absolutely excited about my new project; I feel it shows my fans a different side to me. My whole approach to the music, the delivery, my thought process is different from how it was last year."
Music video
The music video for "Aboki" was released onto YouTube on October 1, 2012, at a total length of 3 minutes and 42 seconds. It was directed by Phil Lee in Los Angeles. The music video has eclipsed the 900,000 views mark on YouTube. During the video shoot, Ice Prince was interviewed by one of his associates. Prior to releasing the music video, he uploaded a 'behind the scenes' video of the interview onto YouTube. In the video, Ice Prince talked about the meaning of Aboki and the overall message of his music.
Accolades
"Aboki" was nominated for Most Gifted African West Video and Most Gifted Video of the Year at the 10th Annual Channel O Music Video Awards, which took place at the Walter Sisulu Square, in Kliptown, Soweto on November 30, 2013. Moreover, the music video was nominated for Best African Act Video at the 5th edition of the 4Syte TV Music Video Awards, held at the Accra International Conference Centre on November 16, 2013.
Live performances
Ice Prince performed the song at the 2012 edition of the Koko Concert, and at the finale of Big Brother Africa 8 on August 25, 2013. The Chocolate City rapper performed the song at the 2013 Star Trek concert in Nigeria. Ice Prince said: "I’m really happy to be part of Star Music Trek 2013, can’t wait to connect with my fans all over the country and make beautiful music", in appreciation for being part of the event. Moreover, he performed the song during his North American tour as well as his visit to Zambia on Easter Weekend in 2013.
Track listing
Aboki (Remix)
On January 25, 2013, Ice Prince and Chocolate City released the alternative version of "Aboki". It features Sarkodie, Mercy Johnson, Wizkid, M.I, and Khuli Chana. The song was originally intended to be included on Ice Prince's second studio album Fire of Zamani (2013), but was ultimately removed from the final track-listing due to reasons that haven't been made public.
Background
During an interview with Toolz on NdaniTv's "The Juice", Ice Prince described the song as the "biggest African collision ever". When asked about his decision to feature Mercy Johnson, he said:
Ice Prince also said that he had plans to shoot the music video for the remix. However, the alleged music video was never shot.
Promotion
Ice Prince took to Twitter to announce that he would be featuring Mercy Johnson along with the aforementioned recording artists. Charles Mgbolu of Vanguard said that "Fans were anxious to listen to this remix not because of any doubt in the talent of Ice Prince to put together a solid collaboration; rather expectations peaked because Mercy Johnson was in the picture."
Critical reception
Upon its release, the song was met with mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Super Q of 36onobs said: "Ice Prince comes alive with the power house remix to the northern flavoured song – Aboki he released last year. He brings together Sarkodie, Mercy Johnson, Wizkid, MI & Khuli Chana to spice the already hawt song up!" Charles Mgbolu of Vanguard also said: "No doubt, many have hailed this song; calling it a powerful collaboration of the masters of minds. Wizkid, Sakodie, MI, Khuli Chana and of course Ice Prince spat fast paced words that would leave anyone trying to catch up mentally dizzy. It’s a hot baked collaboration that further deepened Aboki‘s intensity and overall quality."
On the contrary, those who opposed the song felt that Mercy Johnson's involvement in the song was unnecessary; they also thought that she was being used as a mere stunt to add publicity to the song.