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Ice Spice
Ice Spice
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Key Information

Isis Naija Gaston (born January 1, 2000), known professionally as Ice Spice, is an American rapper and songwriter. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York City, she began her musical career during college in 2020, after meeting record producer RiotUSA. Her rapping style has been noted by music journalists, who have described her as a "breakout star".[3]

Ice Spice gained major recognition in late 2022 with her song "Munch (Feelin' U)", which went viral on TikTok. After signing with 10K Projects in a joint venture with Capitol Records, she released the singles "Bikini Bottom" and "In Ha Mood" to promote her debut extended play (EP), Like..? (2023). The EP spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top ten single "Princess Diana" (with Nicki Minaj), and peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200. She saw continued success with her collaborative singles released that same year: "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" (with PinkPantheress), "Karma" (with Taylor Swift), and "Barbie World" (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua), all of which peaked within the top-ten of the Billboard Hot 100. This made Ice Spice the only rapper to release four songs that achieved top-ten status in 2023. Her 2024 single, "Think U the Shit (Fart)" preceded the release of her debut studio album, Y2K! (2024).

She is the recipient of several accolades, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, the People's Choice Award for "New Artist of the Year," and the Impact Award from the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. She has received four Grammy Award nominations, including Best New Artist.

Early life and education

[edit]

Isis Naija Gaston[4][5] was born on January 1, 2000,[6][7][8] in the Bronx, New York City.[9] She is mixed ethnicity; her father—Joseph Gaston—is African American, while her mother—Charina Almanzar—is Dominican.[7] The two met at a McDonald's in New York; Joseph was an underground rapper, and Charina worked at a car dealership. Charina was seventeen when she gave birth to Gaston.[10] The two divorced when she was two years old.[11][12][13][14] Gaston has five younger half-siblings: three sisters from her mother's side, as well as another sister and only brother from her father.[9][15]

Gaston spent much of her childhood with her grandparents and cousins. They moved out of Davidson Ave in 2007 and moved to University.[14] She went to school in the Bronx until the 5th grade, and to a Catholic Sacred Heart High School[16] in Yonkers, where she graduated in 2018.[13] At age seven, she took a liking to hip hop after listening to rappers like Lil' Kim, Nicki Minaj, and others. French Montana used to visit her elementary school when Isis was in the fourth grade.[17] She wrote poetry and freestyle raps from then to high school. In an interview with Billboard, Isis explained that she grew up listening to the likes of Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Wu-Tang Clan because of her father's rap background.[18] She would type out lyrics in the Notes app of her iPhone, listening to hip-hop instrumentals and rapping out loud to them.[19][20][12] Gaston explained: "When I saw Nicki [Minaj], I was so mesmerized. She's the first female rapper that I seen. And ever since then, I was kinda set on what I wanted to be." She chose Ice Spice as her stage name while she was a freshman in high school.[19]

Gaston attended the State University of New York at Purchase, where she was a defensive specialist on the school's volleyball team and studied communications.[19][21][22][23] In seven matches, she had two kills and nine digs in the 2018 season.[23] Around her sophomore year, Gaston dropped out of SUNY Purchase, later explaining that she did not believe the school was the right fit for her, and attributing her leaving college to the "strenuous commute".[19] She worked as a cashier at Wendy's and The Gap.[19] She also attempted to work at a local street market in the Bronx area, but quit after one day of working.[24]

Career

[edit]

2020–2022: Career beginnings

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Ice Spice performing
Ice Spice performing in 2022

Ice Spice started rapping in 2020 after meeting with a record producer, RiotUSA.[25] He produced her debut song, "Bully Freestyle", released in March 2021 after a video of Ice Spice doing the "Buss It" challenge went viral on Twitter.[26] Her song "Name of Love" gained traction on SoundCloud, which led to her becoming popular on Instagram.[27]

On August 10, 2022, Ice Spice released her song "Munch (Feelin' U)", accompanied with a video distributed by WorldStarHipHop,[28] as the lead single from her then-untitled debut EP, Like..?. The song gained popularity after getting support from Drake, who played the song on his Sirius XM radio station, Sound 42.[11] It subsequently went viral on Twitter and TikTok, and charted on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Bubbling Under Hot 100 charts.[29][30][12] In September 2022, Ice Spice appeared as a featured artist on the song "One Time" by B-Lovee.[31] Later that month, she signed a record deal with 10K Projects and Capitol Records.[32] On October 28, she released the single "Bikini Bottom".[33]

2023–present: Breakthrough with Like..?

[edit]
Ice Spice performing
Ice Spice performing at a PinkPantheress concert in Brooklyn in 2024

Ice Spice's debut EP, Like..?, was released on January 20, 2023, and included the singles "Munch (Feelin' U)", "Bikini Bottom", and "In Ha Mood".[34] In February 2023, Ice Spice collaborated with Lil Tjay on the tribute single "Gangsta Boo" to the late rapper of the same name, which became her first song on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 82.[35] On February 3, 2023, the remix of singer PinkPantheress's song, "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" featuring Ice Spice and the corresponding music video were released. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest charting position for either artist at the time.[36] In April 2023, she released the remix of "Princess Diana" with Nicki Minaj.[37] The song peaked at number four on the Hot 100, earning Ice Spice her second top-ten hit on the chart and the twenty second top-ten hit for Minaj.[38]

On May 24, 2023, a remix of Taylor Swift's "Karma" featuring Ice Spice, was announced for release on May 26, 2023. The remix is a bonus track on the special editions of Swift's tenth studio album, Midnights (2022).[39] A music video for the remix, featuring Swift and Ice Spice, was released on May 27. Pitchfork described 2023 as the breakout year of Ice Spice.[40] "Karma" peaked at number two on the Hot 100, making Ice Spice the artist with the most Hot 100 top-five singles in 2023.[41] On June 26, she released "Barbie World" with Nicki Minaj which debuted at number 7 on the Hot 100.[42] The deluxe version of Like..?, featuring five new tracks, was released on July 21, 2023.[43]

On November 14, 2023, she teased an upcoming project titled Y2K! slated for 2024.[44] She released the single "Think U the Shit (Fart)" as its lead single in January 2024.[45] Y2K!, was released on July 26, 2024, and sold 28,000 copies for its first week.[46] The project received mixed reviews from fans and critics, with Variety noting Ice Spice's contribution to the drill subgenre, stating that Y2K! "struck the right equilibrium between street and pop sensibility — just hard enough for rap purists, softened around the edges for broader appeal — and set the table for what was leaning toward a mainstream breakthrough with her debut album." NPR described the album as "almost crudely basic" and that Ice Spice "presses into syllables and pulls them apart like Play-Doh...she can make rapping itself feel like an afterthought, so trivial to her day-to-day routine that putting in the minimum effort makes a weirdly intuitive sense."[47][48] On August 1, 2024, Ice Spice added a bonus track to the album titled "Gyat".[49] On December 25, 2024, a deluxe version of Y2K! was released, with features from BB Trickz, DaBaby, NLE Choppa and Anuel AA.[50]

On November 1, 2024, Ice Spice, along with Snoop Dogg, performed in Times Square to promote the "Chapter 2 Remix" season in Fortnite, with outfits and stylized cosmetics based on Ice Spice being available for purchase in the game.[51] On New Year's Eve of 2024, Ice Spice arrived 25 minutes late to her Wildlands Festival set in Brisbane. Despite being the headline act, her microphone was cut off five minutes into the performance.[52]

Artistry

[edit]

Musical and lyrical style

[edit]

Ice Spice's music is primarily Bronx drill.[53][54] Her name came from a "finsta" (fake Instagram account) she made at age 14.[55] She has said she writes all her own lyrics,[14] though she does not consider herself a lyricist.[56] She explained that she prefers her lyrics to be "super simple" and "digestible".[56]

Influences

[edit]

In a 2022 feature for Rolling Stone titled "My Life in 10 Songs", Ice Spice included Coldplay's song "Yellow" and the 1975's song "Sex" on her list. She stated, "When I was 13 or 14, I was playing [The 1975] all the time. It was my shit, I think it's because they're from Europe and he [Matty Healy] has that [British] accent. It was a thing for me."[57]

Ice Spice was first inspired to start rapping by Sheff G and Pop Smoke, and has listed Lil' Kim, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Foxy Brown, and Remy Ma as musical influences due to their New York roots.[13][11][14] She has also called Erykah Badu, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Lauryn Hill inspirations because of their "graceful angelic vibe of timeless beauty".[12]

Personal life

[edit]

Ice Spice is bisexual.[58] She relocated to New Jersey following her career breakthrough.[21]

In 2025, she confirmed via her personal Instagram account that she previously dated professional cornerback, Sauce Gardner.[59][60]

Feuds and controversies

[edit]

Latto and Ice Spice have been compared in the media as rivals, with reports of tension between them since 2022.[61] The origin of the feud remains unclear. The feud gained internet attention in January 2023 when fans interpreted a lyric from "Princess Diana" off of her EP Like..? as a jab at Latto.[62]

A year later, the feud began to escalate after Latto released a snippet of her then-unreleased song "Sunday Service", where the music video for Ice Spice's song "Pretty Girl" could be seen on the TV in the background; just hours later; Ice Spice released a snippet of her own unreleased diss track by the name of "Think U the Shit (Fart)".[63][64]

In May 2024, Ice Spice received backlash from fans of former collaborator Nicki Minaj after a former close friend, Baby Storme, leaked text messages between herself and Ice Spice in which Ice Spice called Minaj "ungrateful" and "delusional."[65][66] Storme later admitted to regretting what she did and claimed that a schizophrenic episode may have triggered the incident.

In July 2024, Ice Spice became involved in a separate controversy when social media influencer Madeline Argy, a former girlfriend of the rapper Central Cee, accused him of cheating on her with Ice Spice.[67]

In September 2024, New York rapper Cleotrapa, who opened for Ice Spice on the U.S. leg of the Y2K! Tour, posted a six-part video to TikTok criticizing Ice Spice's treatment of her on tour, calling her a "fake friend" and alleging she was unpaid for her performances, forced to handle her own luggage and left to arrange her own accommodations. The controversy garnered significant public attention, with artists Baby Storme and Azealia Banks voicing their support for Cleotrapa.[68]

Discography

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2025 Highest 2 Lowest Marisol Cepeda Film and acting debut[69]
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (voice) In production[70]

Tours

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Headlining

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Ice Spice performing at Outernet London on the Y2K! World Tour, 2024

Supporting

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Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award Year Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
All-Rap Caviar 2023 Rookie of The Year Herself Nominated [73]
Second Team Honoured
BET Awards 2023 Best Female Hip Hop Artist Herself Nominated [74]
Best New Artist Nominated
Best Collaboration "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" (with PinkPantheress) Nominated
BET Her Nominated
2024 Best Collaboration "Barbie World" (with Nicki Minaj) Nominated [75]
Video of the Year Nominated
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist Herself Nominated
BET Hip-Hop Awards 2023 Best Collaboration "Princess Diana" (with Nicki Minaj) Nominated [76]
Best Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist Herself Won
Billboard Music Awards 2023 Top New Artist Herself Nominated [77]
Top Rap Female Artist Nominated
Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players 2023 Rookie of The Year Herself Won [78]
Billboard Women in Music 2024 Hitmaker Award Herself Won [79]
BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards 2023 Impact Award Herself Won [80]
Grammy Awards 2024 Best New Artist Herself Nominated [81]
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance "Karma" (with Taylor Swift) Nominated
Best Rap Song "Barbie World" (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua) Nominated
Best Song Written for Visual Media Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards 2024 Best Collaboration "Barbie World" (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua) Nominated [82]
"Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" (with PinkPantheress) Nominated
TikTok Bop of the Year Nominated
Best New Hip-Hop Artist Herself Won
Ivor Novello Awards 2024 PRS for Music Most Performed Work "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" (with PinkPantheress) Pending [83]
Kid's Choice Awards 2024 Favourite Music Collaboration "Barbie World" (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua) Won [84]
"Karma" (with Taylor Swift) Nominated
Favourite Breakout Artist Herself Nominated
MOBO Awards 2023 Best International Act Herself Nominated [85]
Song of the Year "Boy's a Liar Pt.2" (with PinkPantheress) Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards 2023 Best Collaboration Nominated [86]
Best New Herself Nominated
Best Push Herself Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards 2023 Best New Artist Herself Won [87]
Best Push Performance "Princess Diana" Nominated
Song of Summer "Barbie World" (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua) Nominated [88]
"Karma" (with Taylor Swift) Nominated
People's Choice Awards 2023 The New Artist of the Year Herself Won [89]
The Collaboration Song of the Year "Barbie World" (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua) Won
The Queerties 2024 Breakout Musical Artist Herself Runner-up [90]
Anthem "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" (with PinkPantheress) Nominated
Soul Train Music Awards 2023 Best Collaboration "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" (with PinkPantheress) Nominated [91]
Video of the Year Nominated
Streamy Awards 2023 Sound of the Year "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" (with PinkPantheress) Nominated [92]
"In Ha Mood" Nominated
XXL Awards 2023 Best New Artist of the Year Herself Nominated
2024 Song of the Year "Barbie World" (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua) Nominated [93]
Video of the Year Nominated
Female Rapper of the Year Herself Nominated
The People's Champ Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Ice Spice (born Isis Naija Gaston; January 1, 2000) is an American rapper and singer from , , known for her contributions to the New York genre and her viral breakthrough in hip-hop. Gaston, who performs under the stage name Ice Spice, began her music career in 2021 after connecting with producer RiotUSA at SUNY Purchase, releasing her debut track "Bully Freestyle" in March of that year. Her rise to fame accelerated in 2022 with the single "Munch (Feelin' U)", a anthem that went viral on and marked her entry into mainstream hip-hop. This success led to her debut EP, Like..?, released in January 2023 via , which debuted at number 15 on the and featured hits like "". Ice Spice's profile expanded through high-profile collaborations, including "Boy's a Liar, Pt. 2" with , which reached number three on the Hot 100 in 2023, and "Princess Diana" with , peaking at number four. She also featured on the remix of Taylor Swift's "Karma", which hit number two on the chart, and contributed to the Barbie soundtrack with "Barbie World" alongside . In 2025, she made her acting debut in Spike Lee's film Highest 2 Lowest. Her debut studio album, Y2K!, released on July 26, 2024, via 10K Projects and Capitol Records, debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200 with 28,000 album-equivalent units, featuring collaborations with artists like Travis Scott. A deluxe edition, Y2K!: I'm Just a Girl, followed in December 2024, adding tracks with DaBaby and NLE Choppa. In support of the album, Ice Spice launched her first headlining world tour, Y2K! World Tour, in July 2024, with dates across North America and Europe. As of 2025, she continues to release music, including the single "Pretty Privilege" and its video in November.

Early life

Family background

Ice Spice, born Isis Naija on January 1, 2000, in , , has five younger siblings. Her family background reflects a blend of Dominican and Nigerian heritage; her mother, Charina Almanzar, is of Dominican descent, while her father, Joseph Gaston, is African-American with Nigerian ancestry confirmed through a DNA test showing approximately 30% Nigerian roots along with other West African and Taino indigenous heritage. Gaston's parents met as teenagers at a and had a brief relationship that resulted in Ice Spice's birth, but they separated when she was two years old. Despite the split, both parents remained involved in her life, living in close proximity within , which allowed her to divide time between their homes. Her father, an underground rapper and MC during his youth who performed under the name Slice, now works in and maintains a low profile, but he significantly influenced her early exposure to hip-hop by playing artists such as , , and . Charina Almanzar, who raised Ice Spice as a young mother, instilled in her a sense of confidence, style, and sass, while also encouraging her musical interests from a young age, including supporting her singing aspirations starting at age four. Among her siblings, her younger brother Joey Gaston has pursued modeling and shown talent in football. The competitive dynamic with her five younger siblings contributed to developing her quick wit and resilience, traits that later informed her lyrical style and stage presence in rap. Overall, Ice Spice's Bronx-rooted family environment, marked by parental separation yet ongoing support, played a pivotal role in shaping her identity as an Afro-Latina artist in the hip-hop scene.

Education

Ice Spice, born Isis Naija Gaston, grew up in , New York, where she attended school until the 5th grade before transferring to High School, a Catholic institution in nearby Yonkers. At , she excelled in athletics, particularly , and graduated in 2018. Following high school, Ice Spice enrolled at the at Purchase (SUNY Purchase), a public liberal arts college in Westchester County, where she pursued a degree in communications. During her time there, she continued her involvement in as a defensive specialist on the college team, balancing academics with sports. However, she left SUNY Purchase after her freshman year to focus on her burgeoning music career.

Career

2021–2022: Breakthrough with "Munch"

Ice Spice began her music career in 2021 while attending the at Purchase, releasing her debut single "Bully Freestyle" in March of that year. Produced by RIOTUSA, whom she met at the university, the track showcased her early foray into rap with a freestyle approach over a beat sampling Lil B's "I'm God." Later in November 2021, she followed up with "No Clarity," a sampling and Foxes' "Clarity," which she performed at the in March 2022. These initial releases garnered modest attention within New York rap circles but did not yet propel her to widespread recognition. Her breakthrough arrived in 2022 with the independent release of "Munch (Feelin' U)" on August 21, also produced by RIOTUSA and distributed through Create Music Group's WorldStar Distro. The song, a drill track defined by its bouncy bassline and Ice Spice's deadpan delivery, introduced the term "munch" as for an obsessive or unworthy suitor, quickly resonating with listeners for its humorous dismissal of male attention. It exploded in popularity via , where the #Munch hashtag amassed over 2.4 billion views, fueled by featuring the song's infectious hook and Ice Spice's signature curly red wig and streetwear aesthetic. The track's virality was amplified when Drake played it on SiriusXM's Sound 42 station, cementing its status as a New York rap anthem of the summer. Although it did not chart on the , "Munch (Feelin' U)" peaked at No. 5 on the and reached No. 11 on Shazam's Hip-Hop/Rap chart, marking her entry into mainstream hip-hop conversations. Critics hailed it as a standout, with praising its "brash yet unbothered" style blending Cardi B's bravado and Erykah Badu's nonchalance, while noted its role in establishing Ice Spice as a confident breakout star. The song's success led to a major label deal with and in September 2022, just one month after release, solidifying her rapid ascent. Fans affectionately dubbed her "the People's Princess," drawing parallels to Princess Diana for her poised, viral persona.

2023: Like..? and rising fame

Ice Spice released her debut extended play, Like..?, on January 20, 2023, through 10K Projects and Capitol Records. The six-track project built on her breakthrough single "Munch (Feelin' U)" by incorporating it alongside new songs, including "In Ha Mood," "Princess Diana," "Gangsta Boo" featuring Lil Tjay, "Actin' a Smoochie," and "Bikini Bottom." The EP showcased her signature drill-influenced style with catchy hooks and Bronx-centric lyrics, receiving praise for solidifying her as an emerging rap talent. Like..? debuted at number 37 on the with 15,000 album-equivalent units, later peaking at number 15 driven by streaming gains from its singles. Standout track "Princess Diana," particularly its remix featuring released in April 2023, became a major hit, reaching number four on the and marking Ice Spice's second top-ten entry on the chart. The EP's success contributed to over a billion global streams for her music that year, underscoring her rapid ascent in the hip-hop landscape. In July 2023, Ice Spice issued a deluxe edition of Like..?, expanding it to ten tracks with additions like "Deli," "How High?," "Butterfly Ku," and a of "In Ha Mood" featuring Tay Flavour. This version further boosted her momentum, coinciding with high-profile collaborations that amplified her visibility. Notably, her feature on the "Karma" with in May peaked at number two on the Hot 100, while "Barbie World" with for the Barbie film soundtrack debuted at number seven in . These tracks helped her secure four top-ten Hot 100 singles in 2023. Ice Spice's rising fame in 2023 was marked by numerous accolades and industry recognition. She won Best New Artist at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in September, beating out competitors like GloRilla and Peso Pluma. Billboard named her the Top New R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the year and R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Year, while she also earned spots on Forbes' 30 Under 30 music list. Additionally, she was selected as Apple Music's Up Next Artist in July, highlighting her as a key emerging voice in rap. Her performances at events like the BET Awards and Coachella further cemented her status as a breakout star.

2024: Y2K! and collaborations

In 2024, Ice Spice released her debut studio album Y2K! on July 26 through and . The project, announced earlier that year with a graffiti-adorned cover photographed by , featured 10 tracks produced by collaborators including RIOTUSA and Peso. Key singles included "Phat Butt," released on June 21, 2024 as the album's lead, and "Did It First" with , which debuted at No. 63 on the and later peaked at No. 7. Other notable collaborations on the album were "Oh Shhh..." with and "B*tch I'm Packin'" with Gunna, blending Ice Spice's signature drill-infused rap with trap elements. The album received mixed , praised for its catchy hooks and Ice Spice's confident delivery but critiqued for lacking depth in some tracks. Commercially, Y2K! debuted at No. 18 on the , selling 28,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, marking a solid entry despite underperforming expectations given her prior viral success. By late August, it had accumulated over 100,000 total units in the U.S. To promote the release, Ice Spice announced the Y2K! World Tour on June 5, consisting of 24 dates across and from July 30 to August 31, with supporting acts like Cobain and Riotsound on select shows. The tour sold out multiple venues, including stops at The in and Brixton Academy in , showcasing tracks from the album alongside earlier hits. On December 25, 2024, Ice Spice surprise-dropped the deluxe edition Y2K!: I'm Just a Girl (Deluxe), expanding the original with five new tracks for a total of 15 songs. The additions highlighted further collaborations, including "Hannah Montana" featuring and , a high-energy cut with playful lyrics; "BB Belt (Remix)" with Bb Trickz; "Popa (Remix)" with Rob49; "Fisherrr (Remix)" with ; and the solo "So What?" These tracks leaned into Ice Spice's roots while incorporating diverse influences, such as on the Anuel AA feature, and were teased via previews earlier that month. The deluxe aimed to extend the album's momentum into year-end, with "Hannah Montana" quickly gaining traction on streaming platforms for its viral potential.

2025–present: Singles and upcoming projects

In 2025, Ice Spice marked her return to music with a series of singles following the release of her debut album Y2K! in 2024. Her first release of the year was the collaboration "" with fellow rapper , which dropped on September 2 and was produced by Pooh Beatz, Go Grizzly, Supakaine, and RiotUSA. The track, accompanied by a music video directed by Hidji World, addressed past tensions between the artists and debuted at number one on the , showcasing Ice Spice's signature drill-infused flow over a bouncy beat. Later that month, on September 26, Ice Spice released her solo single "Baddie Baddie," which samples M.I.A.'s track "Bad Girls" and serves as the lead for her anticipated second studio album. The song highlights her confident lyricism and playful bravado, generating buzz through previews. On November 6, Ice Spice dropped "Pretty Privilege," produced by RIOTUSA, as the third single from the project. The track, featuring a bold , explores themes of beauty and advantage with her characteristic nonchalance. On November 14, 2025, Ice Spice released "Big Guy," a song produced by RiotUSA and issued by 10K Projects and Capitol Records. It is featured in the 2025 animated film The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, in which the rapper also makes a voice appearance. These singles are part of the rollout for Ice Spice's sophomore album, ROSADITA, expected later in 2025, with teasers indicating a continuation of her drill sound blended with pop elements. Beyond music, Ice Spice expanded into by joining the voice cast of the animated film The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, released on December 19, 2025, alongside stars like and .

Artistry

Musical style

Ice Spice's music is primarily rooted in Bronx drill, a subgenre of hip-hop characterized by its aggressive beats and street-oriented lyricism, which she approaches with a distinctly feminine perspective that subverts the hypermasculine norms of the style. Her early tracks, such as "Munch (Feelin' U)" released in 2022, exemplify this through lightweight production featuring skittering snares and simple, effective basslines crafted by frequent collaborator RiotUSA, creating an energetic yet accessible sound that propelled her viral breakthrough. Her vocal delivery stands out for its deep, calm and laid-back flow, often described as a "velvety growl" that glides over beats with poise and playfulness, contrasting the more intense, growling styles common in . Lyrically, Ice Spice employs simple, repetitive hooks and bold, humorous punchlines that flip traditional rap tropes—such as casual dismissals of detractors in "Munch" or scatological metaphors in tracks like "Phat Butt"—prioritizing charisma and vibe over complex . This approach yields short, personality-driven songs, often under two minutes, emphasizing feel-good flexes and cultural commentary tailored for virality. As her career progressed, particularly with her 2023 EP Like..? and 2024 debut album Y2K!, her style evolved to incorporate broader elements like rhythms, samples, and rage-influenced synths while maintaining a core. Production grew more abrasive and dynamic, with RiotUSA's beats featuring cartoonish guitar samples and wonky electronics, allowing for varied vocal expressions from whispers to sneers. Tracks like "Deli" showcase this shift, blending tough-talk bars with pop-leaning hooks to appeal beyond underground rap circles, though she has reaffirmed her commitment to 's raw energy. Her 2025 singles, such as "Pretty Privilege," continue this trajectory, featuring booming basslines and bouncy beats that highlight her confident, playful delivery within a framework.

Influences

Ice Spice has drawn significant inspiration from a range of hip-hop and R&B artists, particularly those who pioneered female representation and innovative sounds in rap. She has frequently cited as a pivotal influence, describing her as the first female rapper she encountered that captivated her and solidified her aspirations in the genre. In an , Ice Spice stated, "When I saw Nicki, I was so mesmerized. She’s the first female rapper that I seen. And ever since then, I was kinda set on what I wanted to be." Similarly, she has acknowledged as a key figure among New York's female rap legends, idolizing her alongside Minaj for their trailblazing roles in the industry. Her roots in New York drill are heavily shaped by local pioneers, with standing out as a major influence. Ice Spice has expressed being "obsessed" with upon his emergence, crediting him as a "goated" innovator who revitalized the drill sound in the city. This admiration is reflected in her adoption of drill's energetic beats and confident delivery, which she blends into her own style. Beyond hip-hop's core, Ice Spice has highlighted R&B icons and for their artistic depth and timeless appeal. She admires their "graceful angelic vibe of timeless beauty," which informs her approach to blending rap with melodic elements and emotional resonance. Additionally, she has revealed a deep affinity for Kendrick Lamar's work, particularly his 2015 album , which she listened to "religiously" during her teenage years, influencing her appreciation for introspective and lyrically complex rap. These diverse influences contribute to Ice Spice's unique fusion of aggression, pop accessibility, and soulful undertones.

Personal life

Relationships

Ice Spice has been notably private about her romantic life, emphasizing in interviews that she prefers to keep personal matters separate from her public persona to allow fans to focus on her music. In an October 2023 profile, she confirmed being in a relationship but declined to disclose her partner's identity, stating, "I'm someone right now, but I don't want to talk about that." about her dating history has persisted, including unconfirmed rumors linking her to rapper and actor in early 2023, though neither relationship was ever verified by Ice Spice herself. In January 2026, unconfirmed dating rumors emerged after she shared a TikTok video performing the viral 'Big Guy' dance with NBA player Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets. She has also addressed and denied romantic involvement with other artists, such as British rapper , clarifying in July 2024 that their connection was strictly platonic and stemmed from professional friendship since her breakthrough single "Munch (Feelin' U)." Dating rumors with New York Jets cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner began in September 2024 after Ice Spice attended a Jets game. They were subsequently spotted together at the "Coulda Been Love" premiere in February 2025 and the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in March 2025. In April 2025, Ice Spice publicly confirmed the relationship through an Instagram mirror depicting the couple in matching sweatsuits. The pair, both in their mid-20s, dated until around August 2025, when breakup rumors emerged after she was seen with basketball player Diamant Blazi. In a September 2025 interview, Ice Spice confirmed that she had dated Gardner, describing it as "fun" and "cute," and reflected on going public despite her preference for .

Sexuality and privacy

Ice Spice publicly identified as bisexual during a February 2023 interview on 1's Rap Life Radio with , stating, "Not squares, but I like good boys and girls." She has since described her music's appeal as transcending gender lines, noting in a June 2023 Hypebae interview that her audience includes "the gays" and emphasizing her openness about queer sexuality. Regarding privacy, Ice Spice has expressed a preference for keeping her personal life out of the public eye, though she acknowledges the challenges posed by her fame. In a September 2025 interview, she explained, "I try to keep it private, but it's just like whatever... I'm at the , and then now it's not private," highlighting how everyday encounters erode her boundaries. Despite this, she has occasionally shared aspects of her relationships, such as confirming a romance with NFL player via in 2025, later reflecting that she "didn’t think it would be such a big deal, but it really is." This selective disclosure underscores her efforts to balance authenticity with personal protection amid intense media scrutiny.

Public image and controversies

Fashion and endorsements

Ice Spice's fashion aesthetic is prominently characterized by a Y2K revival, drawing from early-2000s hip-hop and pop culture trends such as low-rise jeans, baby tees, velour tracksuits, and fur accents, which align with her birthdate of January 1, 2000. This style positions her as a key influencer in Gen Z's nostalgia-driven fashion movement, often blending playful, feminine elements with for a "princess" vibe that complements her music persona. At high-profile events like the 2024 Grammys, she wore a custom ensemble featuring a fur-trimmed jacket, sweeping , gold cat-logo belt, and cross pendant, reviving the iconic Y2K hip-hop brand originally popularized by figures like . Her red carpet appearances, such as a sheer top with cheetah-print nails at the 2024 Awards, further emphasize this bold, nostalgic approach. Ice Spice has leveraged her style into numerous high-profile endorsements, expanding her influence beyond music into , , and lifestyle sectors. In 2023, she starred in Heaven by ' Spring campaign, modeling a star-covered mini dress, platform boots, and a black shoulder bag, which highlighted her Y2K affinity. That same year, she featured in x ' Park Trail collection, showcasing gender-neutral pieces in orange, camouflage, and forest green hues. For Alexander Wang's Nocturnal line, she posed in black leather outfits, including a sheer mesh dress, underscoring her edgy yet glamorous persona. She also modeled a for ' Seamless Sculpt collection launch in April 2023. In 2024 and 2025, her endorsement portfolio grew significantly. included her in its "Class of Creators" project in March 2025, where she unveiled a custom CLA car with a melted chrome finish and "" branding, tying into her personal style narrative. For Kate Spade's "To The Ones Who Carry Us" campaign in May 2025, she promoted the Deco Shoulder Bag in pistachio green and blue denim, discussing her handbag collection in interviews. In beauty, announced a global fragrance licensing deal in May 2025, with Ice Spice developing a line inspired by her unique aesthetic, with the first release expected in 2026. Other ventures include a 2023 Dunkin' collaboration for the pumpkin spice-flavored Munchkins Drink, a 2024 replica of her likeness, and a 2024 Starry beverage ad campaign ahead of . These partnerships have contributed to her estimated of $5 million as of 2025, bolstered by her rising cultural impact.

Feuds

Ice Spice has been involved in several high-profile feuds within the hip-hop community, primarily with fellow rappers and , as well as a notable personal dispute with emerging artist Cleotrapa. These conflicts often stemmed from perceived slights, lyrical disses, and social media exchanges, reflecting broader tensions in the genre's competitive landscape. The most prominent feud began with in January 2023, when stated during a red-carpet that she was unfamiliar with the lyrics to Ice Spice's "Bikini Bottom," which fans interpreted as shade toward the rising rapper. Tensions escalated in October 2023 with 's apparent diss on Offset's "Fine as Can Be," where she referenced "Princess Diana," Ice Spice's collaboration with . Ice Spice fired back on January 26, 2024, with her single "Think U The S**t (Fart)," containing lines like "I got my foot on they necks, I can’t let up/She all on the floor, told her get up," directly alluding to 's "." responded on February 14, 2024, by releasing "Sunday Service," filming its video in Ice Spice's hometown of the as a pointed gesture. The back-and-forth continued into mid-2024, with posting a cake at Atlanta's Birthday Bash in June that read "Think I'm the sh– , bi— ?????"—echoing Ice Spice's track—and her August album closer "S/O to Me" from Sugar Honey Iced Tea interpreted by fans as containing barbs at Ice Spice. In July 2024, Ice Spice downplayed the rivalry in a , calling it "a joke that she's just dragged out" and affirming no real animosity. The feud appeared to resolve on September 4, 2025, when the pair collaborated on the single "," a track celebrating and unity, and jointly appeared at the later that month, signaling a truce. A more recent and ongoing conflict emerged with Cardi B, marked by intermittent tensions since 2022 but intensifying in 2025. Early interactions were positive, with Ice Spice praising Cardi in a 2022 interview for elevating Bronx female rappers and the two sharing friendly posts in April 2024 celebrating their Dominican heritage. Speculation arose in March 2024 when fans believed Cardi's "Enough (Miami)" referenced Ice Spice due to a similar pose, though Cardi denied shading her. Friction grew in July 2024 after Ice Spice's "BB Belt" lyrics prompted Cardi to tweet, "These bitches have absolutely lost their mind." Ice Spice shouted out Cardi positively on Keke Palmer's podcast in September 2025, crediting her for inspiring hope in female rap. However, Cardi's September 19, 2025, track "Magnet" included lines like "Slow-face bitch… whose spot is you takin’?," seen as targeting Ice Spice. Leaked audio from September 29-30, 2025, captured Cardi threatening Ice Spice, escalating the drama. Ice Spice responded by teasing and releasing her single "Pretty Privilege" on November 6, 2025, with its video fueling further speculation of disses toward Cardi, keeping the feud active as of late 2025. In September 2024, Ice Spice faced accusations from rapper Cleotrapa, a former friend and tour opener for her Y2K! Tour, who detailed alleged mistreatment in a series of videos. Cleotrapa claimed Ice Spice exhibited "mean girl behavior," including ignoring her during the tour and being a "fake friend," which led to their public fallout. Ice Spice clapped back on , denying the claims and calling Cleotrapa unprofessional, though the dispute remained largely personal rather than musical. This incident echoed earlier 2024 drama with another ex-friend, Baby Storme, who leaked private texts exposing Ice Spice's frustrations with and personal relationships, but it did not evolve into a full rap beef.

Other ventures

Filmography

Ice Spice has ventured into acting with roles in two major 2025 films, marking her transition from music to screen. Her debut comes in the Spike Lee-directed crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest, an English-language adaptation of Akira Kurosawa's High and Low, where she makes a cameo as Marisol Cepeda in a story involving a and corporate intrigue, starring alongside . She also lends her voice to an animated character in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, the fourth installment in the franchise, bringing her energy to the underwater world of Bikini Bottom, and contributes the song "Big Guy" to the soundtrack. "Big Guy" was released on November 14, 2025, by 10K Projects and Capitol Records, and produced by RiotUSA. In addition to films, Ice Spice has made notable television appearances as a musical performer. She served as the musical guest on the season 49 premiere of on October 14, 2023, performing and a collaboration with Rema on "Pretty Girl," with an introduction from . On July 26, 2024, she performed a medley of "Did It First" and "Think U The Shit (Fart)" from her debut album Y2K! on Starring , coinciding with the album's release day. Her filmography also encompasses appearances in music videos, primarily as the lead artist portraying herself.
YearTitleRoleTypeNotes
2021Ice Spice: No ClarityIce SpiceShort film-style video directed by Ice Spice.
2022Ice Spice: Name of LoveIce SpiceOfficial video for her single.
2023Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice: Barbie WorldIce SpiceFeatured in the Barbie soundtrack video with .
2025Ice Spice: Pretty PrivilegeIce SpiceLead performance in promotional video.
2025Ice Spice: Baddie BaddieIce SpiceOfficial single video released in 2025.
2025Highest 2 LowestMarisol CepedaActing debut; crime thriller directed by .
2025The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePantsVoice roleAnimated adventure; .

Video games

Ice Spice expanded into video games in 2024 with branded interactive experiences. On May 31, 2024, she released "Munchland by Ice Spice", an official Roblox experience tied to her song "Think U the Shit (Fart)", where players explore a themed world featuring fart guns, digital fashions, and elements from her music videos. In November 2024, Ice Spice was introduced in Fortnite as an Icon Series outfit, available for purchase in the Item Shop starting November 15, including selectable styles, back bling such as "Munchkin", and emotes.

Tours

Ice Spice's touring career began in 2023 with a series of festival appearances and standalone concerts, marking her rise from viral success to live performer. That year, she performed at major events including , where her sets highlighted tracks like "Munch (Feelin' U)" and "In Ha Mood." These early shows, totaling around 33 performances, helped build her fanbase through high-energy renditions of her breakout singles. From November 21 to December 13, 2023, Ice Spice served as an for Doja Cat's across North American arenas, sharing the bill with on select dates. This 12-date run, starting in and ending in Newark, exposed her to larger audiences, with sets featuring collaborations like the remix of Doja Cat's "Demons." The tour, Doja Cat's first in four years, grossed over $20 million and solidified Ice Spice's presence in hip-hop's live scene. Ice Spice launched her debut headlining tour, the Y2K! World Tour, on July 4, 2024, at Denmark's to support her album Y2K!. The 39-date global outing spanned , , the , and , concluding on January 5, 2025, at Wildlands Festival in . Early legs included festival stops in and , followed by a 17-date North American arena run from July 30 in Washington, D.C., to August 31 in Miami Beach, with Cash Cobain and RIOTUSA as supporting acts. The European and UK portion, added in September 2024, featured arena shows in cities like and , while Australian dates capped the tour. Sets typically ran 45-60 minutes, blending Y2K! tracks such as "Phat Butt" and "Think U the Shit (Fart)" with earlier hits like "" and "Princess Diana," often drawing 10,000-15,000 fans per night.

Discography

Albums and EPs

Ice Spice's recorded output under major labels consists of one and one studio album, both of which received deluxe reissues featuring additional tracks. These releases showcase her signature New York style, characterized by booming basslines, playful lyricism, and collaborations with prominent artists in hip-hop. Her debut , Like..?, was released on January 20, 2023, through and . The six-track project includes singles such as "Munch (Feelin' U)", "Bikini Bottom", and "", which helped propel her viral rise on platforms like . It debuted and peaked at number 15 on the US chart, marking her first entry on the ranking and demonstrating her rapid ascent in the rap scene. A deluxe edition followed on July 21, 2023, expanding the EP to eleven tracks with new songs including "Deli", "How High?", "Butterfly Ku", and "On the Radar (Edit)", further capitalizing on her growing popularity. Ice Spice's debut studio album, Y2K!, arrived on July 26, 2024, also via 10K Projects and Capitol Records, featuring guest appearances from artists like Central Cee and Gunna. The 10-track effort explores themes of fame, relationships, and Bronx-rooted bravado, with production emphasizing her minimalist flow and catchy hooks. It debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200, selling 28,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, reflecting solid commercial performance amid high expectations. The deluxe version, subtitled Y2K! : I'm Just A Girl, was issued on December 25, 2024, adding five new tracks such as "Hannah Montana" with NLE Choppa and DaBaby, "So What?", and remixes of "BB Belt" and "Popa", extending the album's reach into the holiday season.

Singles

Ice Spice's entry into the music industry was marked by her independent singles released in 2021 and 2022, which showcased her drill rap style and quickly gained traction through . Her debut single "Bully" arrived in March 2021, produced by RIOTUSA, but it was "Munch (Feelin' U)" in August 2022 that catapulted her to viral fame on , peaking at number 5 on the chart and establishing her signature laid-back flow and witty lyrics. In 2023, Ice Spice achieved significant commercial success with a series of collaborations that dominated the , often blending her influences with pop and hip-hop elements. Tracks like "Boy's a Liar, Pt. 2" with and "Princess Diana" featuring highlighted her ability to merge viral hooks with high-profile partnerships, leading to multiple top-10 entries. These singles were included on her debut EP Like..?, which further solidified her mainstream breakthrough. Her remix contributions, such as on Taylor Swift's "Karma," demonstrated her versatility and broad appeal across genres. The following table summarizes Ice Spice's major charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including collaborations:
TitleFeatured Artist(s)Release YearPeak Position
202382
202358
Boy's a Liar, Pt. 220233
Princess Diana20234
Karma (Remix)20232
& Aqua20237
Deli202341
Think U the Shit (Fart)202437
Did It First202451
Sources: Peak positions from Billboard chart data aggregated at Music Charts Archive. Following the release of her debut studio album Y2K! in July 2024, Ice Spice continued to build momentum with singles like "Think U the Shit (Fart)" as the album's lead, which captured her playful, irreverent persona and charted modestly while promoting the project's Y2K-inspired aesthetic. In 2025, she expanded her output with fresh material, including the remix of Baby Tate's "Gnarly," the collaboration "" with —which debuted at number 1 on the and marked a in their prior —and standalone tracks "Baddie Baddie," "Pretty Privilege," and "Big Guy," released on November 14, 2025, by 10K Projects and Capitol Records, produced by RiotUSA, and featured in the 2025 animated film The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, in which Ice Spice also makes a voice appearance. These releases, accompanied by visually striking music videos featuring celebrities like supermodel and gymnast Suni Lee, underscore her evolving focus on fashion-forward visuals and empowering themes, maintaining her presence in the hip-hop landscape amid ongoing tours and endorsements.

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Ice Spice received her first Grammy Award nominations at the , held on February 4, 2024, earning four nods for her contributions to the music of 2023. These included Best New Artist, recognizing her breakthrough as a rising rapper, as well as three categories for the single (with featuring Aqua) from the Barbie soundtrack: Best Rap Song, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Song Written for Visual Media. None of Ice Spice's nominations resulted in a win at the ceremony. Best New Artist was awarded to , while "" lost Best Rap Song to "Scientists & Engineers" by featuring , , and ; Best Pop Duo/Group Performance went to "Fake Out" by The National; and Best Song Written for Visual Media was given to "What Was I Made For?" by and from . Ice Spice was not nominated for any awards at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025, despite releasing her debut album Y2K! in July 2024, which debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200. As of November 2025, she has yet to win a Grammy Award.

Other accolades

Ice Spice has received numerous accolades beyond the Grammy Awards, recognizing her rapid ascent in the hip-hop genre through viral hits and collaborations. In 2023, she won Best Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Hip Hop Awards, highlighting her emergence as a key figure in drill rap. That same year, she secured the Best New Artist award at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she also earned nominations for Best New Artist, Song of Summer for "Barbie World" (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua), and Best Collaboration for the same track. Additionally, Ice Spice was honored with the inaugural Impact Award at the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards for her groundbreaking artistry and influence on the genre's future. She also received Billboard's Rookie of the Year award at the 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event, acknowledging her breakout success. Building on this momentum, 2024 saw Ice Spice claim New Artist of the Year at the , as well as Collaboration Song of the Year for "Barbie World" (shared with and Aqua). At the , she won Best New Hip-Hop Artist, beating out competitors including and . She was further recognized with the Hitmaker Award at 2024, presented by , celebrating her chart-topping contributions. Ice Spice has also garnered several nominations across major ceremonies. At the 2023 BET Awards, she was nominated for Best New Artist, Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Collaboration for "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" (with ), and Viewer's Choice Award for "," though she did not win. In 2024, the nominated her for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Collaboration, and Viewer's Choice: Video of the Year for "," with ultimately taking the female artist honor. She received a nomination for Top New Artist at the 2023 but lost to .
YearAwardCategoryResultNotes
2023Best Breakthrough Hip-Hop ArtistWonFor her overall body of work
2023Best New ArtistWonFan-voted
2023BMI R&B/Hip-Hop AwardsImpact AwardWonInaugural honor for artistic impact
2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Power PlayersRookie of the YearWonRecognized emerging talent
2024New Artist of the YearWonFan-voted
2024Collaboration Song of the YearWonFor "" (with and Aqua)
2024Best New Hip-Hop ArtistWonCompeted against Doechii, Lola Brooke, Sexyy Red
2024Hitmaker AwardWonFor chart impact and influence

References

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