Ice Spice

Isis Naija Gaston (born January 1, 2000), better known professionally as Ice Spice, is an American rapper. She grew up in the Bronx, New York City, and began her career in 2021 after meeting record producer RiotUSA while attending State University of New York at Purchase. She rose to prominence in late 2022 with her song "Munch (Feelin' U)".

For other uses, see Ice Spice (disambiguation).

Ice Spice
Ice Spice performing in 2022
Ice Spice performing in 2022
Background information
Birth nameIsis Naija Gaston[1]
Born (2000-01-01) January 1, 2000
New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2020–present
Labels
Websitewww.icespicemusic.com

The release of her singles "Bikini Bottom" and "In Ha Mood", preceded her debut extended play Like..? (2023). In 2023, she achieved her first US Billboard Hot 100 chart entry with the Lil Tjay collaboration "Gangsta Boo"; and her remix singles "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" (with PinkPantheress) and "Princess Diana" (with Nicki Minaj) reached the top five.

Ice Spice was hailed by Jon Caramanica of The New York Times and Billboard magazine as "rap's new princess",[2] and was named a "breakout star" by Time magazine.[3]

Early life

Isis Gaston was born on January 1, 2000, in the Bronx, New York City,[4][5][6] where she was raised in the Fordham Road neighborhood. She is the oldest of five siblings.[7] Her father, a former underground rapper, is African-American, while her mother, who gave birth to Gaston at age 17, is Dominican.[8] The two first met at a McDonald's[9] and divorced when Gaston was two years old.[10][11][12][7]

Because her parents were frequently busy working, she spent much of her time with her grandparents and cousins growing up.[7] She went to school in the Bronx until she was sent to Sacred Heart High School,[13] a Catholic high school in Yonkers.[12] At age seven, she took a liking to hip hop after listening to rappers like Lil' Kim, Nicki Minaj, and others and wrote poetry and freestyle raps from elementary school to high school. In an interview with Billboard, Ice explained that she grew up listening to the likes of Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Wu-Tang Clan because her father's rap background.[14] She would type out lyrics in the Notes app of her iPhone, listening to hip-hop instrumentals and rapping out loud to them.[15][16][11] "When I saw Nicki [Minaj], I was so mesmerized," Ice Spice explained. "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.[15]

Ice Spice attended State University of New York at Purchase, where she played back row on the school's volleyball team and studied communications.[15][17] Ice Spice dropped out of SUNY Purchase around her sophomore year. "I left because I felt like I was in the wrong place." Ice Spice also attributed her "strenuous commute" for leaving college.[15]

Ice Spice is the eldest sister to five siblings, and told The Cut she was their self-appointed protector.[17] She supported herself as a cashier at Wendy's and The Gap.[15] She identifies as queer, as explained in an interview with Genius about her song "Bikini Bottom".[18]

Career

Ice Spice started rapping in 2021 after meeting with a record producer, RiotUSA, while they were attending State University of New York at Purchase.[19]

Ice Spice performing
Ice Spice performing in 2022

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.[9] Her song "Name of Love" gained traction on SoundCloud, which led to her becoming popular on Instagram.[20] Her song "Munch (Feelin' U)", released on August 10, 2022, with a video, and also produced by RiotUSA and distributed by WorldStarHipHop,[21] gained popularity after getting support from Drake, who played the song on his Sirius XM radio station, Sound 42.[10] 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.[22][23][11] In September 2022, Ice Spice appeared as a featured artist on the song "One Time" by B-Lovee.[24] Later that month, she signed a record deal with 10K Projects and Capitol Records.[25] On October 28, she released the single "Bikini Bottom".[26] 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".[27]

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.[28] 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.[29]

Musical style

Ice Spice's music is primarily Bronx drill.[30][31] Her name came from a "finsta" (secret Instagram account) she made at age 14.[32] She has said she writes all her own lyrics.[7] She 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.[12][10][7] She has also called Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill inspirations because of their "graceful angelic vibe of timeless beauty".[11]

Discography
Ice Spice discography
Music videos5
EPs1
Singles9

Extended plays
List of extended plays, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[33]		 US
R&B/HH
[34]		 CAN
[35]		 LTU
[36]		 NZ
[37]
Like..? 155424533

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[41]		 US
R&B
/HH
[42]		 CAN
[43]		 IRE
[44]		 NLD
[45]		 NOR
[46]		 NZ
[47]		 SWE
[48]		 UK
[49]		 WW
[50]
"Bully Freestyle" 2021 —————————— Non-album singles
"No Clarity" ——————————
"Be a Lady" 2022 ——————————
"Name of Love" ——————————
"Euphoric" ——————————
"Munch (Feelin' U)" —[upper-alpha 1]34———————— Like..?
"Bikini Bottom" ———————[upper-alpha 2]———
"In Ha Mood" 2023 58186966
[55]		———[upper-alpha 3]—58192
"Boy's a Liar Pt. 2"
(with PinkPantheress)		 3—2—18101
[57]		15—3 Non-album single
"Princess Diana"[59]
(solo or with Nicki Minaj)		 422125
[60]		—[upper-alpha 4]—32
[62]		—[upper-alpha 5]2211 Like..?
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart, was ineligible for the chart, or was not released.

Other charted songs
List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[64]		 US
R&B
/HH
[42]		 NZ
Hot
[65]
"Gangsta Boo"
(with Lil Tjay)		 2023 823221 Like..?

Music videos
Title Year Director
"No Clarity"[66] 2021 Kreative Films
"Name of Love"[67] 2022
"Euphoric"[68] Denity
"Munch (Feelin' U)"[69] George Buford
"Bikini Bottom"[70]
"In Ha Mood"[71] 2023 Oliver Cannon and Chris Villa
"Princess Diana"[72]
(with Nicki Minaj)		 Edgar Esteves

Notes
  1. "Munch (Feelin' U)" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number five on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[51]
  2. "Bikini Bottom" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 29 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[54]
  3. "In Ha Mood" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 22 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[56]
  4. "Princess Diana" did not enter the Dutch Single Top 100, but peaked at number 10 on the Dutch Single Tip Chart.[61]
  5. "Princess Diana" did not enter the Swedish Singellista Chart, but peaked at number 15 on the Swedish Heatseeker Chart.[63]

References
  1. "Be A Lady". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  2. Mamo, Heran (May 11, 2023). "The New 'Princess' of Rap: How Ice Spice Exploded Into Stardom". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  3. "Why Rapper Ice Spice Is Suddenly Everywhere". Time. February 23, 2023. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  4. Ihaza, Jeff (October 14, 2022). "How Ice Spice Added a Touch of Zest to New York's Drill Scene slatt". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  5. Neog, Anupal Sraban (August 24, 2022). "Ice Spice age explored as rapper parties with Drake in Toronto, Canada". Sportskeeda. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  6. Caramanica, Jon (January 20, 2023). "Ice Spice Broke Out With 'Munch.' Rap's New Princess Is Just Warming Up". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  7. Lent, Caitlin (December 1, 2022). "Ice Spice Is Rethinking Rap Stardom". Interview. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  8. Ramos, Danteé (November 16, 2022). "Ice Spice Reveals She's Nigerian And Dominican After Fan Says She 'Looks So Igbo'". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  9. Verma, Millan (July 7, 2022). ""I Must Be Doing Something Right": An Interview With Ice Spice". Audiomack. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  10. Gardner, Alex; Fife, Carter; Aguilar, Andrea (August 30, 2022). "Best New Artists of the Month". Pigeons & Planes. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  11. Rouhani, Neena (October 26, 2022). "Ice Spice: October R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  12. Black Dave (host) (May 15, 2022). Ice Spice on Becoming The Female Face of Bronx Drill (YouTube video). No Jumper. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  13. Darden, Ebro (January 27, 2023). "BONUS: Ice Spice On Upbringing, Drake, Cardi B, Acting, + New EP!". Apple Podcasts. Hot 97. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
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  15. High, Kemet (January 16, 2023). "Ice Spice Feels Like a Star But She's Got a Long Way to Go Before She's Satisfied". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
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  20. P, Gabe (host) (May 17, 2022). Ice Spice On Toosii Cosign, Teases Music w/ Dusty Locane, Shani Boni, "Name Of Love" Blowing Up (YouTube video). On the Radar. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  21. "Worldstar's Ice Spice Heats up". Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  22. Gee, Andre (September 15, 2022). "Meet the Artists Taking New York Drill in a New Direction". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  23. Richards, Chris (September 27, 2022). "Ice Spice raps like she's in her own head. Is she in yours yet?". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
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  28. McIntyre, Hugh (February 16, 2023). "Ice Spice Has Gone From Rising Hip-Hop Talent To Reliable, Charting Hitmaker In Just One Month". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  29. Aniftos, Rania; Lipshutz, Jason; Mamo, Heran; Unterberger, Andrew; Werthman, Christine (February 14, 2023). "Five Burning Questions: PinkPantheress & Ice Spice's 'Boy's a Liar' Debuts at No. 14 on the Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  30. Renshaw, David (August 12, 2022). "Song You Need: Ice Spice's "Munch (Feelin' U)" is the defiant sound of moving on". The Fader. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
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  32. Kolgraf, Jackie (October 12, 2022). "'First Alert': Ice Spice Reveals What a Munch Is and the Inspiration Behind Her Artist Name". SiriusXM. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
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  34. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of April 29, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
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  41. Peaks on the US Hot 100:
  42. Peaks on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart:
  43. Peaks on the Canadian Hot 100:
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  50. Peaks on the Global 200 chart:
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  53. "Canadian certifications – Ice Spice". Music Canada. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
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  58. "New Zealand single certifications – PinkPantheress and Ice Spice – Boy's a Liar Pt. 2". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  59. "Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj Want the Crown on the 'Princess Diana' Remix". April 14, 2023.
  60. "Top 100 Singles, Week Ending 12 May 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  61. "Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj – Princess Diana" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  62. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 24, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  63. "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 16". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
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  66. "Ice Spice – No Clarity (Official Music Video)". Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023 – via YouTube.
  67. "Ice Spice – Name of Love (Official Music Video)". Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023 – via YouTube.
  68. "Ice Spice – Euphoric (Official Music Video)". Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023 – via YouTube.
  69. "Ice Spice – Munch (Feelin' U) (Official Music Video)". Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023 – via YouTube.
  70. "Ice Spice – Bikini Bottom (Official Music Video)". Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023 – via YouTube.
  71. "Ice Spice – in ha mood (Official Video)". Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023 – via YouTube.
  72. "Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj – Princess Diana (Official Music Video)". Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023 – via YouTube.
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