Biography

Afro-Soul artist, singer- songwriter Mad Ice is one of the finest artists the world music genre has to offer. Based in Europe, Helsinki Finland he has gained recognition on the international world music scene with his fabulous soulful voice and touching live performances. With love being the main message conveyed on the lyrical side of his compositions, Mad Ice's music is a unique fusion of melancholic african melodies with a touch of soul...call it Afro-soul. Not only is Mad Ice a talented writer but a great performer as well. Listening to his warm and powerful voice is an experience, whether you understand the language or not...Its like being on a transcending journey to the unknown. Appreciated by any audience, Mad Ice performs regularly with his band on Jazz and World, even on Pop and Rock stages. Being recognized as one of the greatest stars in East Africa, his music is year after year on playlists not only on African but also on international radio stations.

ROOTS
Born in Uganda 1980, Ahmed.M.Kakoyi best known for his stage name Mad Ice started his career way back in 1998 as a young performer on various talent shows and singing covers in hotels but at the same time writing his own songs. Influenced mostly by mid 90s Caribbean sounds of Chaka demus & pliers, Shaggy and the likes, this affected a lot on Mad Ice's earlier style which can be heard on his debut album Baby Gal.
Fusing different musical styles has been a big part in the making of Mad Ice's music from the very beginning. The Caribbean sounds were more a street influence, at home Mad Ice listened to country, soft rock and South African music. In search for true inspiration Mad Ice landed on Seal, Tracy Chapman, Khaja nin, and Lokua Kanza's music... I guess this explains the diversity of the singer we see today.

BABY GAL [2003 Kokwa Records, Tanzania]
By the end of 2002 Mad Ice teamed up with producer Miikka “Mwamba” Kari and started working on his debut album in Dar es salaam,Tanzania. Released in 2003 the album title song “Baby gal” became one of the biggest #1 hit song of all times in East Africa staying on top of the charts for months on many radio stations in the region. This led to Mad Ice's long and successful career locally and internationally.

MAD ICE [2005 Mwamba Records/Edel Records, Finland]
After visiting Finland in 2004, Mad Ice secured a record deal with a Finnish record label and in 2005 the label released his first album to the European market in Finland.

MANENO[2007 Recordhouse/MadStylee.com, Finland]
Available on all major online stores worldwide incl. Itunes, MANENO was released in 2007 featuring songs like “Wange” #1 hit single 2005 -2006 Tanzania & Uganda, “Malaika” loved Afro-groove version of one of the most known African traditional songs and “Nionyeshe njia” single that made Mad Ice to be recognized also as a talented songwriter in the International Songwriting Competition USA 2007, when the song went through to the semifinals in the world music category.

MAISHA EP – Coming 2011