Ice Spice is the stage name of Isis Naija Gaston, an African-American underground rapper. Her passion for hip-hop was ignited at a young age, inspired by artists like Lil’ Kim and Nicki Minaj.
She attended Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers, graduating in 2018. She began writing poetry and freestyle rap during her childhood and would often listen to hip-hop instrumentals, developing her unique style. After high school, she enrolled at the State University of New York at Purchase, where she played on the volleyball team and studied communications. However, she left college after a year, feeling it wasn’t the right fit and opting to focus on her music career.
In 2021, She met producer RiotUSA, marking the beginning of her music journey. She released her debut track, “Bully Freestyle,” in March 2021, which gained traction after a viral TikTok challenge. However, it was her late 2022 single “Munch (Feelin’ U)” that catapulted her into the spotlight, with support from Drake boosting its popularity. The track went viral, charting on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs list and solidifying her presence in the music industry.
Following the success of “Munch,” she signed with 10K Projects in a joint venture with Capitol Records. She released her debut EP, Like..?, in January 2023, featuring hits like “Bikini Bottom” and “In Ha Mood.” The EP also included the Billboard Hot 100-charting song “Gangsta Boo,” featuring Lil Tjay. Her collaboration with Nicki Minaj on “Princess Diana” further showcased her rising star status.
Throughout 2023, she continued to achieve mainstream success with multiple collaborations, including “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” with PinkPantheress and “Karma” with Taylor Swift, both peaking in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. She made history as the first rapper to release four songs that reached the top ten in a year. In June 2023, she collaborated with Nicki Minaj again on “Barbie World,” further solidifying her place in hip-hop.
Her relaxed rapping style and her ability to blend drill music with catchy hooks have garnered her praise from music critics. Recognized as a breakout star by Time and dubbed “rap’s new princess” by Billboard, she has received several accolades, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist and nominations for four Grammy Awards.
In January 2024, she released “Think U the Shit (Fart),” the lead single from her anticipated debut studio album, Y2K, set to be released later that year. She remains committed to her craft, writing all her music and collaborating closely with her producers.
Her journey from the Bronx to becoming a Grammy-nominated artist is a testament to her talent, resilience, and dedication to her art. With her debut album on the horizon, she is poised to continue her impactful presence in the music industry.
