Emerging as a force to be reckoned with, American rapper Ice Spice has dominated the entertainment scene since last summer. With her trademark orange curls and infectious tunes that blend New York drill music with pop, Spice has become an unavoidable presence, gracing everything from TikTok’s For You Page to the prestigious front row of New York Fashion Week.
Her latest achievement? Securing a spot on the illustrious Billboard Hot 100 list with her smash hit “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” featuring PinkPantheress, another rising star who found fame on TikTok. Hailing from Bronx, New York, the 23-year-old rapper, whose birth name is Isis Gaston, proudly embraces her Nigerian and Dominican heritage. At the age of 14, she crafted her stage name by playfully rhyming “ice” with “spice” while creating a finsta account (a more personal Instagram profile), inspired by her love for spicy food.
Ice Spice’s journey began during her high school years in Yonkers, just north of the Bronx, where she excelled as a volleyball player. It was her prowess in the sport that eventually led her to SUNY Purchase, a university in upstate New York. However, she made the decision to depart from academia in 2020 to pursue her musical aspirations.
Although her father had a background in underground rap, Spice’s foray into music commenced when she connected with RIOTUSA, a fellow Bronx native and SUNY Purchase student. RIOTUSA, who happens to be the son of Hot 97’s DJ Enuff, played a pivotal role in helping Spice create her early tracks, including the well-received singles “Bully Freestyle” (March 2021) and “No Clarity” (November 2021).
Last summer, Spice’s breakout single “Munch (Feelin’ U)” propelled her into the stratosphere of internet stardom. The song’s snippets flooded TikTok, a fertile launching pad for budding music sensations seeking mainstream recognition. The buzz intensified when Canadian rapper Drake shared the track on his SiriusXM channel, Sound 42 Radio. The hashtag, #munch, has now amassed over 2 billion views on the platform, with countless videos echoing the song’s memorable lyrics, “You thought I was feeling you?” The hashtag #IceSpice boasts an impressive 4 billion views.
The rapper’s meteoric ascent swiftly captured the attention of industry insiders, leading to her signing with the Los Angeles-based label 10K projects and subsequently Capitol Records.
But Spice’s success extends far beyond a one-hit wonder. Her EP “Like..?” (released on Jan. 20) features standout singles such as “Bikini Bottom,” which cleverly samples music from the beloved cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants, and “In Ma Hood.” These tracks have collectively garnered over 30 million streams on Spotify, solidifying her status as a multifaceted artist.
Ice Spice’s remarkable journey from obscurity to prominence serves as a testament to her undeniable talent and captivating persona. As she continues to conquer the music industry, there’s no doubt that Ice Spice’s star will continue to rise, captivating audiences worldwide.
