Ice Spice is a 24-year-old rapper from the Bronx who gained prominence in 2022 with her viral single “Munch (Feelin’ U),” which achieved widespread success on TikTok after Drake featured the track. Born January 1, 2000, she operates within the New York drill genre and signed with 10K Projects and Capitol Records following her breakthrough. Her debut EP “Like..?” peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200, while her collaboration “Princess Diana” with Nicki Minaj reached the top ten, establishing her as the only rapper with four top-ten Hot 100 songs in 2023 and earning her a Grammy nomination alongside an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist. Her rapid ascent reveals deeper insights into contemporary hip-hop’s evolving landscape.
A meteoric rise from Bronx college student to chart-topping sensation, Ice Spice has emerged as one of hip-hop’s most prominent new voices, transforming from Isis Naija Gaston into a Grammy-nominated artist who dominated the Billboard Hot 100 throughout 2023.
Born January 1, 2000, in the Bronx, Gaston grew up immersed in New York’s hip-hop culture, with her father’s underground rap career providing early exposure to the music industry. Her musical foundation drew heavily from influential female rappers including Lil’ Kim, Nicki Minaj, Foxy Brown, and Remy Ma, artists who would later shape her distinctive style.
Following her 2018 high school graduation, Ice Spice began pursuing rap during her college years in 2020, meeting producer RiotUSA, who became a key collaborator in developing her early tracks. Her first notable breakthrough came with “Bully Freestyle” in March 2021, followed by “Name of Love” on SoundCloud, which considerably expanded her social media presence and Instagram following through viral online videos.
The pivotal moment arrived with “Munch (Feelin’ U),” released August 10, 2022, which exploded across TikTok and Twitter after Drake played the track. This viral success led to her feature on B-Lovee’s “One Time” in September 2022 and a joint record deal with 10K Projects and Capitol Records. The song charted on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Bubbling Under Hot 100, establishing her commercial viability.
Her debut EP “Like..?” arrived January 20, 2023, preceded by promotional singles “Bikini Bottom” and “In Ha Mood.” The project peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200, driven by the massive success of “Princess Diana” featuring Nicki Minaj, which reached the top ten on the Hot 100.
Ice Spice achieved the remarkable distinction of being the only rapper with four top-ten Hot 100 songs in 2023, including collaborations “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” with PinkPantheress, “Karma” with Taylor Swift, and “Barbie World” with Nicki Minaj and Aqua.
Musically, Ice Spice operates within the New York drill genre, incorporating influences from Chicago and UK drill with characteristic beats, high-hat patterns, and 808 slides. Her influences include Sheff G, Pop Smoke, and established female rappers, while she maintains creative control by rarely accepting external references in her writing process. She has gained recognition by performing at major festivals including Rolling Loud and SXSW, building a dedicated fanbase. As the oldest of five siblings in her mixed ethnicity family, she relocated to New Jersey following her career breakthrough.
Her accomplishments include an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, People’s Choice Award for New Artist of the Year, BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards Impact Award, and four Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, cementing her status as hip-hop’s breakout star.
