Ice Spice is one of the hottest names in the music industry right now. The 24-year-old rapper from the Bronx has taken the world by storm with her catchy songs, witty lyrics, and charismatic personality. But who is Ice Spice, and how did she become the rap princess of the 21st century? Here are some facts you need to know about her.
Her real name is Isis Naija Gaston
Ice Spice was born on January 1, 2000, in the Bronx, New York City. Her birth name is Isis Naija Gaston, and she is of mixed ethnicity: her father, Joseph Gaston, is African-American, and was once an underground rapper; her mother, Charina Almanzar, is Dominican, and worked at a car dealership.
She is the oldest of five siblings, and spent much of her childhood with her grandparents and cousins. She went to school in the Bronx and to a Catholic Sacred Heart High School, in Yonkers, where she graduated in 2018.
She chose the stage name Ice Spice because it rhymes, and because she liked the sound of it. She said in an interview with Elle Magazine, "I was 14 coming up with like a finsta name and I was like ‘what rhymes with ice? Spice."
She started rapping in 2021
Ice Spice always had a passion for rap music, and grew up listening to artists like Lil’ Kim, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Wu-Tang Clan. She wrote poetry and freestyle raps from elementary school to high school, but didn’t start rapping professionally until her early twenties, when she met producer RiotUSA while they both were attending SUNY Purchase. RiotUSA produced Ice Spice’s debut song, “Bully,” which was released in early 2021. The song gained some attention online, and Ice Spice started to build a fan base.
She rose to fame in late 2022 with her song “Munch (Feelin’ U)”, which achieved viral popularity on TikTok. The song, which samples Kelis’ “Milkshake”, is a playful and catchy tune that showcases Ice Spice’s relaxed and confident rapping style. The song also caught the attention of 10K Projects, a record label that signed Ice Spice in a joint venture with Capitol Records.
She has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music
Ice Spice released her debut EP, Like…?, in 2023, which contained the Billboard Hot 100-charting song “Gangsta Boo” (featuring Lil Tjay), the single “Princess Diana” (with Nicki Minaj), and the single “Deli” on its deluxe edition.
The EP received positive reviews from critics, who praised Ice Spice’s charisma, humor, and versatility. Ice Spice also became the first female rapper to have three songs in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time, with “Munch (Feelin’ U)”, “Gangsta Boo”, and “Princess Diana”.
She saw further mainstream success with her collaborative singles that same year; “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” (with PinkPantheress), “Karma” (with Taylor Swift), and “Barbie World” (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua) each peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, making Ice Spice the first rapper to release four songs which did so that year. Her 2024 single, “Think U the Shit (Fart)” is preceding the release of her forthcoming debut studio album, Y2K!.
Ice Spice has also collaborated with other artists such as Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Drake, Cardi B, and Ariana Grande. She has cited Nicki Minaj as her biggest influence and mentor, and has expressed her admiration for Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga.
She has won several awards and accolades
Ice Spice has been honored with the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, and the Impact Award from the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. She has also been nominated for four Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap/Sung Performance, and Best Rap Song. She has also been featured on several prestigious lists, such as Time’s 100 Next, Forbes’ 30 Under 30, and Billboard’s 21 Under 21.
She is a fashion icon and a social media star
Ice Spice is known for her colorful and eclectic fashion sense, which reflects her personality and music. She often wears outfits that are inspired by the 2000s, such as crop tops, low-rise jeans, bucket hats, and chunky jewelry. She has also been seen wearing designer brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga, Versace, and Moschino. She has been featured on the covers of magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Rolling Stone, and Cosmopolitan.
Ice Spice is also very active on social media, where she has millions of followers. She often posts videos of herself rapping, dancing, joking, and interacting with her fans. She is also known for her witty and hilarious captions, which often include emojis, slang, and puns. She has also used her platform to raise awareness and support for causes such as Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health.
She is a role model and an inspiration for many
Ice Spice is widely regarded as a role model and an inspiration for many young people, especially women of color, who aspire to pursue their dreams and express themselves. She has shown that with hard work, talent, and confidence, anything is possible.
She has also shown that being yourself and having fun are the keys to success and happiness. She has said in an interview with Billboard, "I just want to make people feel good. I want to make people laugh, dance, and have a good time. I want to inspire people to be themselves and not care what anyone else thinks."
What Are Some Of Ice Spice's Hobbies?
Ice Spice has a variety of hobbies that she enjoys in her spare time. Some of them are:
Cooking: Ice Spice loves to cook and experiment with different cuisines and spices. She often posts videos of her dishes on her Instagram stories, and has even shared some of her recipes with her fans. She said in an interview with Complex, "Cooking is like therapy for me. I love to make food that makes people happy and satisfied."
Reading: Ice Spice is an avid reader and a fan of books, especially fantasy and sci-fi genres. She has a collection of books in her home library, and often recommends her favorite titles to her followers. She said in an interview with Elle, "Reading is my escape from reality. I love to immerse myself in different worlds and characters. Some of my favorite authors are J.K. Rowling, George R.R. Martin, and Octavia Butler."
Volleyball: Ice Spice played volleyball in high school and college, and still enjoys the sport as a hobby. She often plays with her friends and family, and sometimes participates in charity tournaments. She said in an interview with Erykah Badu and Puma, "Volleyball is my passion. I love the teamwork, the adrenaline, and the challenge. It keeps me fit and healthy."
These are some of the hobbies that Ice Spice likes to do. She is a talented and versatile person who has many interests and skills.
What Is Ice Spice's Favorite Food?
Ice Spice loves spicy food, and she often puts hot sauce on everything. She also likes to cook and experiment with different cuisines and spices. She said in an interview with Elle, "Cooking is like therapy for me. I love to make food that makes people happy and satisfied."
Some of her favorite dishes are:
Pumpkin spice latte: Ice Spice enjoys this seasonal drink, which combines the coolness of mint with the fiery kick of chili, creating a tantalizing blend that awakens the taste buds.
Ice Spice chicken: This is a recipe that Ice Spice created herself, using her signature spice blend, Ice Spice, which is a secret mix of mint and chili. She marinates chicken pieces in Ice Spice and then fries them until crispy and golden. She serves them with lemonade or cocktails sprinkled with Ice Spice.
Karma cake: This is a dessert that Ice Spice collaborated with Taylor Swift to create, inspired by their hit song “Karma”. It is a chocolate cake with caramel frosting, topped with chocolate shavings and Ice Spice. It is sweet, salty, and spicy, just like the song.
Controversy And Activism Of Ice Spice
Ice Spice is a rapper who has been involved in some controversy and activism in her career. Some of the examples are:
She was accused of making “Satanic” symbols and wearing “demonic” clothing and jewelry at the Super Bowl, where she joined Taylor Swift and other celebrities in a private viewing box. Some people online claimed that she was showing her allegiance to the devil, while others defended her and dismissed the accusations as baseless and ridiculous.
She was also the target of a theory that she has Down syndrome, based on her facial features that some people thought resembled those of a person with the condition. The theory started on Twitter and spread to TikTok and Instagram, where some people made memes and jokes about it, while others expressed their disbelief and outrage at the insensitive and offensive speculation.
She has been an outspoken supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, and has participated in several protests and rallies against police brutality and racial injustice. She has also donated money and resources to various organizations and causes that fight for social change and equality.
She has also been vocal about her support for LGBTQ+ rights, and has identified herself as bisexual. She has collaborated with other LGBTQ+ artists, such as Lil Nas X, Troye Sivan, and Hayley Kiyoko, and has performed at several Pride events and festivals. She has also spoken out against homophobia and transphobia in the music industry and society at large.
Ice Spice Net Worth
Ice Spice’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million as of 2024. She has earned most of her wealth from her music career, which started in 2021 with her debut song “Bully”. She rose to fame in 2022 with her viral hit “Munch (Feelin’ U)”, which led to her signing a record deal with 10K Projects and Capitol Records.
Conclusion
Ice Spice is more than just a rapper. She is a cultural phenomenon, a fashion icon, a social media star, and a role model for many. She has achieved remarkable success in a short span of time, and has shown no signs of slowing down.
She has proven herself to be a versatile and talented artist, who can rap, sing, write, and collaborate with some of the biggest names in music. She has also shown her personality, humor, and confidence, which have endeared her to millions of fans around the world. Ice Spice is the rap princess of the 21st century, and she is here to stay.
