Most people calculate their spending in thousands or maybe millions on real estate, but Panshak Zamani, better known as Ice Prince, has a different kind of balance sheet. The Nigerian hip-hop star recently stepped into the Black Box X Nevon HQ podcast studio and laid bare a reality that sounds like a movie script. Between 2020 and 2026, he blew a massive N340 million on weed. That was just from one supplier in his neighbourhood.
That figure doesn't even account for the supplies he sourced from various other dealers across Abuja, Jos, Ghana, and even London. For the rapper famous for hits like 'Aboki', it wasn't just a casual habit. He maintained a pace of spending roughly N60,000 every single day, often footing the bill for friends who hung around him. It was a lifestyle fueled by a high-pressure industry that demands constant energy.
"I smoked N60,000 worth of weed every day and when I had people around me, I bought for them too."
Beyond the weed, his cigarette habit was equally intense, with the rapper consuming two full packs every single day. While he didn't struggle much to drop alcohol a year ago during his weight loss journey, he admitted the nicotine and cannabis were a different beast. Being a chronic smoker came with health implications that he finally decided to address after hitting a wall.
The transformation didn't happen overnight or through some magic trick. It began with the humble, persistent intervention of music producer Chopstix. Every single night at 8 p.m., the producer would show up at Ice Prince’s house. Their ritual involved walking for an hour, rain or shine. This eventually built the discipline the rapper needed to reclaim his health. He transitioned from relying on others to taking charge of his own fitness, changing his diet, and strictly avoiding late-night meals.
His path to clarity also took a spiritual turn through the concept of celibacy. Inspired by fellow rapper Phenom, Ice Prince decided to explore the practice. He initially doubted it until he researched the benefits himself. He's now been celibate for six months and smoke-free for two months. This change highlights his departure from the industry's party culture.
Public perception hasn't always been kind to the rapper. When he first became a father, he struggled to find the joy, viewing the responsibility as a burden amidst the relentless online attacks he faced. During those early days of Twitter in Nigeria, he, Wizkid, and Wande Coal were frequently branded as the 'bad boys' of the scene. The media scrutiny was harsh. It took time for him to reconcile his private identity with his public persona.
His son eventually became his anchor. The realization that his public actions could directly impact his child’s reputation forced him to mature and see life through a different lens. He now moves with a sense of caution that wasn't there during his peak 'Aboki' era. This change in perspective has clearly bled into his health decisions as well. It shows that even the most extravagant lifestyles can be recalibrated when the stakes get personal.