Lagos, Nigeria – 2024
Dapper Music and Entertainment has further reinforced its growing influence within Nigeria’s music ecosystem following its executive production role on Fire & Ice, the 2024 studio album by BET Award-winning rapper Ice Prince.

Released in May 2024, Fire & Ice marked Ice Prince’s return to full-length album releases after an extended hiatus, standing as one of his most deliberate and reflective bodies of work to date. The project blends hip-hop, Afrobeats, amapiano, and pan-African influences, capturing both the intensity and restraint suggested by its title. Executive production on the album was led by Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi, Founder and CEO of Dapper Music and Entertainment, alongside Ice Prince, with A&R support contributing to the album’s cohesive direction.

For Dapper Music and Entertainment, the collaboration represented a strategic alignment with one of Nigeria’s most respected hip-hop voices. Ice Prince, who became the first Nigerian rapper to win a BET Award for Best International Act: Africa, has long been regarded as a bridge between Nigerian hip-hop and global audiences. Fire & Ice provided an opportunity to reintroduce that legacy through a modern lens, supported by structured executive oversight and a contemporary creative framework.

The album features a wide range of collaborators spanning generations and soundscapes, including Seyi Vibez, Blaqbonez, CKay, Rexxie, Odumodublvck, Sarkodie, Ajebo Hustlers, Magnito, and others. This diversity reflected a conscious effort to balance legacy with emerging voices, reinforcing Ice Prince’s position as both a pioneer and an active participant in today’s evolving music landscape.

Beyond its sonic direction, Fire & Ice benefited from intentional project planning, creative coordination, and rollout strategy. Dapper Music and Entertainment’s executive involvement focused on structuring the album as a complete body of work rather than a collection of singles, ensuring clarity in sequencing, collaborations, and market positioning. The result was a project that resonated across core hip-hop audiences while remaining accessible to the wider Afrobeats ecosystem.

Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi, Founder and CEO of Dapper Music and Entertainment, described the collaboration as a meeting point between experience and structure.

“Ice Prince is one of the artists who helped define Nigerian hip-hop on a global level,” Dapper said. “Fire & Ice was about respecting that legacy while providing the structure, clarity, and creative support needed to present his story in today’s market. This wasn’t about chasing trends; it was about building a body of work that reflects growth, relevance, and longevity.”

The project also underscored Dapper Music and Entertainment’s broader approach to executive production: supporting artists with strategic thinking, cultural awareness, and long-term vision rather than short-term commercial pressure. By working closely with Ice Prince, the label demonstrated its ability to collaborate beyond its immediate roster, contributing meaningfully to projects that shape the wider industry conversation.

Since its release, Fire & Ice has drawn attention for its balance of introspection and confidence, as well as its ability to reassert Ice Prince’s voice within contemporary Nigerian music. For Dapper Music and Entertainment, the album stands as another example of its expanding footprint across live entertainment, artist development, and high-level creative execution.

As Nigerian music continues to evolve and command global attention, collaborations like Fire & Ice reflect a growing emphasis on structure, intentionality, and cultural export. Through its executive role on the album, Dapper Music and Entertainment further positioned itself as a key player not only in developing emerging talent, but also in shaping landmark projects by established artists whose influence continues to span generations.