7 Things You Should Know About Ice Spice, Gen-Z’s Emerging Hip-Pop Starlet
If there ever was a year for new artists to show themselves, it's without a doubt been within the post-pandemic era. Thanks to the increasingly widespread rise of the social media platform, TikTok, artists have secured another means of promoting their work and figured out how to cash in on simply being viral sensations. New artists such as Coi Leray, Yung Baby Tate, Doechii, and Ice Spice are just a few examples of on-the-rise superstars who've thrived from TikTok streams, and inevitable Billboard charting success, but Ice Spice, alone, is figuring out her own lane: one that’s about being herself and enjoying young, rockstar lifestyle fame.
And if you’ve been anywhere near social media lately, then you’ve probably heard, seen, and been enamored by the star that the kids can’t get enough of – whether streaming videos, reading about her in headlines, or learning from them what a ‘munch’ is.
Standing at 5-foot-7, she dons an enviable, signature curly ‘fro, as she raps in a calm, Bronx-laced monotone flow. She rose to popularity in the fall of 2022 with "Munch (Feelin U)" which took social media by storm, and is now, sitting pretty on Billboard’s #3 Hot 100 Song as a feature on PinkPantheress’ "The Boy’s a Liar Part 2." Now, it’s her time to shine as she becomes the face of Gen-Z’s best attribute: rebelling against society’s made-up rules and trailblazing their own paths.
So, while we sit back and wait for her to shoot into superstardom, here are 7 things you should know about emerging hip-hop starlet, Ice Spice:
1.Her music is considered ‘Bronx-drill.’
Despite the cute pop sound you’ve heard from her lately, Ice’s roots are heavy into the Bronx’s drill music scene. Originating in Chicago in the 2010s from artists like Chief Keef, drill music is a type of hip-hop trap music that focuses on inner city daily occurrences and crime. Although it can get pretty dark, the drill sound means a lot to those who can relate to the lyrics and the city from which it originated from. When asked about her hit song, "Munch (Feelin U)," Ice Spice, 23, told Rolling Stone:
“‘Munch’ is bringing out the fun in drill. It was a little serious before, a little violent sometimes, which is cool. I be bumping that rah-rah shit all day. But ‘Munch’ definitely brought out the zesty side of it. I want everybody to feel like a baddie.”
2.Despite her genre, Ice Spice wants to collaborate most with Rihanna.
We're not sure how the two sounds would mix, but she sure doesn’t mind telling Ellethat she loves Coldplay and The 1975, but if she could collaborate with any artist—it would be Rihanna. "She's the GOAT. She's gorgeous. I love her. I'm obsessed with her.”
Spice also lists Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj as dream collabs.
3.Erykah Badu and her daughter, Puma Curry, interviewed her for 'Interview Magazine.'
Puma introduced her legendary mother to Ice Spice’s music, which prompted them to sit down for an interview. The trio discussed what life was like growing up for Ice in the Bronx, her relationship with her parents as she adjusts to fame, and her plans for 2023. They thanked her for her time and gave her words of encouragement, with Spice simply replying, “Thank you. Puma, you’re the GOAT.”
4.Ice Spice credits her dad for giving her the courage to rock her signature ‘fro.
When asked about her signature hairstyle, Spice gave credit to her dad, who she says taught her the importance of individuality:
“I think my father helped me get past [wearing my curls] because he would always say, 'It’s beautiful, you’re beautiful, wear your natural hair.' I loved to straighten my hair and I loved to pretend it wasn’t curly. I would literally pray to God before I went to sleep, like, 'Please let me wake up with straight hair,' because at the school I went to, there were so many white girls, and I was the only one with curly hair.”
She adds:
“Once I finally started doing it, it was like ripping off a Band-Aid. I’ll never forget the first time I went to school with my natural hair. I spent so much time in the bathroom just looking at myself before going back to class. I was so nervous for something that didn’t even fucking matter. But when you’re 15, the whole class’s opinion matters to you."
5.She’s all about girl power.
During her Interview Magazine interview, Spice was asked what type of imprint she wants to make during her career to which she responded, “I want to make girls feel confident. Like the Marilyn Monroe impact or the Rihanna impact, the Erykah impact. You have a way of hypnotizing people, you cast a spell on them. I want to do the same thing.”
Confidence is a constant theme for Spice as she also says ‘confident’ is one of the top three words she’d use to describe herself.
6.Ice Spice's influence has the numbers to back it up.
You know how the saying goes, “men lie, women lie, numbers don’t,” and when it comes to Spice, this rings true. Whether you understand her rise to stardom or not, the girl has pull and certainly has the figures to back it up. In addition to sitting pretty at #3 on Billboard’s Hot 100, the hashtag #munch now has over 2 billion views on TikTok, with videos reiterating the song’s lyrics “You thought I was feeling you?” as a trend. The hashtag #IceSpice has over 4 billion views.
But don’t think she isn’t planting her roots. Her EP Like..?, released on Jan. 20, included singles “Bikini Bottom,” which samples music from the cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants, and “In Ma Hood,” which has over 30 million collective Spotify streams.
7.Beyoncé personally chose her for IVY PARK x Adidas “DISCOVER YOUR PARK” collection.
On Feb. 9, IVY PARK dropped its new Park Trail performance-wear collection in collaboration with Adidas. The brand tapped Ice Spice as one of the celebrities to star in the campaign for the launch, alongside Offset (and his son Kody Cephus), Devon Aoki, and more sporting head-to-toe camouflage in the form of cargo pants, jackets, and even sock boots.
Ice Spice told PEOPLE:
"When I got the call I was in disbelief. It was all sinking in on the flight over [to the photo shoot]. I'm still so excited to be a part of this!"
In an Instagram post, Beyoncé herself said that IVY PARK Park Trail is “my favorite drop to date.”
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Featured image by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Spotify
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images