Nigerian rapper Ice Prince Zamani brought Nigerian hip-hop nostalgia to Kampala on Sunday, headlining The Singleton-powered Big Meeting at Thrones Lounge in Bugolobi with a performance that revisited some of the biggest songs of his career.
The event brought together Ugandan fans who grew up listening to Nigerian music during the late 2000s and early 2010s, a period when artists from Nigeria were building increasingly strong followings across Africa. Ice Prince’s appearance gave that generation an opportunity to reconnect with the records that helped define its musical memories.
Powered by The Singleton whisky, The Big Meeting has positioned itself as a social gathering centred on food, music, cocktails and time spent with friends. The October edition combined those elements with a headline performance from an artist whose catalogue remains familiar to many African millennials.
Before Ice Prince took the stage, revellers enjoyed DJ sets from DJ Kamali, DJ Ssesse and Lynda Ddane. Guests also had the opportunity to try their hand at cocktail-making, using The Singleton single malt whisky to explore different combinations.
Some participants attempted classics such as the Whisky Sour, while others experimented with their own creations. The sessions also offered guests an opportunity to learn about measuring and mixing drinks, turning the cocktail station into part of the afternoon’s interactive experience.
For Raymond Karama, The Singleton’s involvement in The Big Meeting is about creating experiences that encourage people to connect through music, food and discovery.
“The Big Meeting is about creating moments that bring people together, whether through food, music, or discovering something new in a glass,” Karama said. He added that Ice Prince performing in Uganda for the first time gave the edition a special atmosphere, particularly for fans who grew up with the rapper’s music.
The evening’s main attraction arrived just before 1 a.m., when Ice Prince took to the stage to an audience ready to sing along.
He opened with “Particula,” before delivering a special birthday performance for Lynda Ddane. He later performed “Molowo Noni,” the collaborative track featuring Samklef, D’Prince, Wizkid and Ice Prince, bringing back memories of an era when Nigerian collaborations were reaching audiences well beyond the country’s borders.
The rapper continued with “Aboki” and “VIP,” songs associated with the confident delivery and hip-hop sound that helped establish his reputation in Nigerian music.
However, it was “Oleku” that provided one of the night’s defining nostalgic moments. The breakout hit remains among Ice Prince’s best-known records and played a significant role in introducing his music to a wider African audience.
For fans who followed his rise, hearing the song live offered a reminder of the period when Nigerian hip-hop was gaining momentum across the continent.
Between performances, Ice Prince acknowledged the audience and thanked Ugandans for supporting Nigerian music over the years, recognising the connection between Nigerian artists and their listeners in Uganda.
His appearance also gave October’s edition of The Big Meeting a clear musical identity, pairing a familiar catalogue of hits with an event built around socialising, food and drinks.
As the gathering brought the month to a close, Ice Prince’s performance turned the Bugolobi venue into a celebration of shared musical memories, showing how songs from an earlier era can still bring audiences together years after their release.
For The Big Meeting, the night offered a combination of live entertainment and nostalgia, with Ice Prince’s catalogue providing the soundtrack.