Get to Know the Internet’s Latest Sweetheart, Ice Spice. For those who are wondering which breakout star is the world fawning over right now, it’s time to meet Ice Spice.
If you’ve been anywhere on the internet lately, you’ve probably seen a little orange-haired rapper popping up here and there on your algorithm. Recently she’s made an appearance as a featuring artist in Taylor Swift’s ‘Karma.’ Maybe you spotted her on the steps of the Met Gala donning a Balmain gown. Or perhaps you’ve heard her viral pop hit with PinkPantheress, “Boy’s A Liar Pt.2” playing in the background of the Reels and TikToks you were binging on. To put a name behind these phenomena, it’s probably time you get familiar with music’s latest It-Girl, Ice Spice.
Image via Instagram @icespice
Ice Spice, born Isis Naija Gaston, is the 23-year-old rapper that’s taking the internet by storm. The rapper is of Nigerian and Dominican descent and was born and raised in the Bronx area of New York City. She grew up in a family with five siblings with herself being the oldest. Since the earlier years of life, the rapper has always been surrounded by music with her father also being an underground rapper.
“I remember being in the studio with him. I was a toddler, probably. And I remember little flashes. Of course, not every detail, but small things like that being shown to you at such a young age make an impression on you,” says Ice Spice in an interview with Paper Magazine, “Subconsciously, I ended up becoming an artist because I saw my father be one first.”
Fast forward to 2021, Ice Spice was then convinced by producer RIOTUSA to turn her rap abilities into a serious career – cue the birth of Ice Spice. Fun fact, the alias ‘Ice Spice’ came from way back when the rapper was merely 14 and was creating a ‘finsta’ and liked how “ice” rhymed with “spice,” and perfectly, she loves spicy food. After deciding to give a rap career a go, Spice collaborated with RIOTUSA to create her first two singles, “Bully Freestyle” and “No Clarity,” which were both released in 2021.
Image courtesy of Skims.
Following the debut singles, Spice released “Munch (Feelin’ U)” which catapulted her into stardom as the song blew up on TikTok – and we all know how the app has become a golden ticket to success for rising stars of the current generation. After its virality on the app, Spice got another boost when Drake gave “Munch” a play on his SiriusXM channel. The success of “Munch” also led to Spice signing onto 10k projects and Capitol Records.
Not just that, but Spice has caught the attention of fellow celebrities who quickly became fans of the eccentric rapper. One famous fan you’ve probably seen before is fellow rapper Lil Nas X who donned an Ice Spice costume for Halloween, complete with a wig that matches Spice’s iconic ginger curls. Another fan that has caught onto the Ice Spice fever is North West, who first shared a Tiktok of her sketching the rapperat home and eventually made a Tiktok with Spice herself. Spice even went on to star in the campaign of Beyonce’s “Discover Your Park” collection with Adidas. Most recently, Spice even got to collaborate with the one and only Nicki Minaj for ‘Princess Diana.’