Ice Prince Becomes Latest Addition to BBC Radio1 Hackney Weekend Line-up

Afrobeats sensation and Chocolate City Music artist, Ice Prince has been nominated for the Best International Act: Africa award at this year’s Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards set to take place in Los Angeles, California on 1 July 2012. The nominations were announced on Tuesday at a press conference hosted by Stephen Hill, President of BET Networks Music Programming and Specials. With his first BET award nomination, Ice Prince will be joining Wizkid, Sarkodie, Camp Mulla, Lira and Mokobe to compete for the star studded award. Of being nominated, Ice Prince shares: “I am grateful and honoured to be nominated in such a category alongside some of the best musicians in Africa. I can’t hide my excitement right now, I wish my parents were still alive to witness this but I know God knows best.” He added “A big massive thank you to the whole BET team for recognising the African music scene and giving it a platform.” With the sudden rise of Afrobeats around the world especially in the US and in the UK, the Best International act: Africa award is definitely one of the most talked about, out of the 20 categories announced. Hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, the BET awards will air live on BET from the Shrine auditorium. As well as being nominated for a BET award, the Nigerian superstar will also be joining the likes of Jay Z, Rihanna, Nas, Wretch 32 and Dbanj to grace the biggest ever free ticketed event in London – BBC Radio 1 Hackney weekend to perform his smash hit single Magician with Gyptian in June 2012. The Hackney weekender which will be the highlight of the London 2012 festival will take place on the 23-24 June 2012 featuring six stages and over 80 international and UK acts. Being the first Afrobeats artist to have his debut single (Oleku) play listed on BBC radio 1xtra, Ice Prince will be will be performing on the 1xtra stage headlined by Nas. Ice Prince commented: “To be given the opportunity to perform on such a stage with some of my icons is exciting and a blessing. I feel very privileged and definitely looking forward to performing with Gyptian.” He may be only 25 years old but the impact Ice Prince has made on the African music industry is indescribable. Having signed to the award winning music label Chocolate City Music, home to some of the biggest musicians in Africa: M.I, Jesse Jagz and Brymo in 2008, Ice Prince has gone on to achieve so much in his career and till date, he is by far one of most celebrated African artists.