Born Isis Naija Gaston on January 1, 2000, Ice Spice grew up in the Bronx, a borough that churns out stars like they were going out of style. Right from the beginning, she was an oddity-again, not just because of where she was from, given the sound and style she brought to the drill scene. But while many of its peers within the genre had a predilection for harsh, gritty beats and undeniably aggressive lyrics that the drill genre has come to be associated with, Ice Spice brought something new entirely: a melodic, breezy touch that contrasted the tough exterior of the music itself.
Years before she went viral, Ice Spice had been working in relative obscurity, honing her craft and trying to make a breakthrough into the scenes. But that changed overnight with the release of “Munch (Feelin’ U).” The song’s hook was too catchy, and the vibe too playful and sure. In no time, it became a TikTok sensation, and Ice Spice became an overnight sensation. There was something so free-spirited and infectious with that track, and the young, trending brains on TikTok bit into it super hard, spiking her into the buzz arena.
Most compelling about Ice Spice’s success, within the context of drill, was how she could balance the signature toughness of the genre with a sound that felt so much more approachable, even light. Her voice-breathy, almost sultry-served as a point of entry into a world of intimacy and coolness; her rhymes were self-assured, unapologetically confident. Put all these together, and she was an interesting artist in a scene that so often defined itself by its aggressiveness and rawness. Songs like “Bikini Bottom” and “In Ha Mood” showed she could meld the hard edges of drill with pop-like catchiness, a further solace in her distinct place within music.
The ascension of Ice Spice wasn’t singularly based on viral moments. She soon drew the attention of hip-hop icons like Nicki Minaj, who hopped on a remix of “Princess Diana,” putting even more eyes on Ice Spice in the mainstream. Other collaborations with her fellow artists, like Lil Tjay, made her the sealed new voice of the genre on “Gangsta Boo.”. But more importantly, beyond the music, Ice Spice became the icon for an entire culture: an icon that stands in for the very forthright attitude which has so come to resonate with Gen Z. The singularity of her fashion sense, bold hairstyles, and real, unfiltered persona makes her much more than just a rapper; they made her a trendsetter in every word.
But it’s clear, with Ice Spice still on the ascent, her impact has only just begun to ripple into both the drill landscape and pop culture more broadly. Armed with undeniable charisma and TikTok as an accelerant, Ice Spice carves a new lane for drill that melds tough, hard-hitting inspirations with an eccentric, uniquely playful energy. That’s not all that’s included in her success; rather, it’s about changing what drill can be and proving the genre is ripe for evolution. And with her showing no signs of slowing down, breaking all the rules, and breaking through, one thing is sure: the ride for Ice Spice has just gotten underway, and her grip on music and culture will only get stronger by the year.
