This year the world added a new word to their dictionaries thanks to Ice Spice, who burst onto the New York drill rap scene with her song Munch. Now, the Bronx native is featured on the front cover of Complex’s latest issue, where she shared her next steps in music.
Spice told Complex she always knew she wanted to rap, but it wasn’t until she was an adult that she realized it was possible. She recalled feeling hopeful on the day they filmed the music video for Munch, which is special in hindsight considering that song would be the catalyst for bringing the possibilities of her rap career to life.
Now, legendary music video director, Hype Williams, not only photographed her for the cover of one of music’s most popular magazines, he also called her “the future.”
But, amid the flowers she received from peers and fans across the world, Spice has also experienced criticism for her lyrics. She’s not bothered though. In fact it’s a feature of her music.
“I wouldn’t consider myself a lyricist. Obviously, lyrics go into music and I do think about them and I do be having bars in my music but they’re just super simple,” she told Complex. “I want them to be digestible, I don’t want them to fly over people’s heads and they never catch it. I want people to hear it right away and be like, ‘OK, that was cute.’ But it’s also fun at the same time.”
So far that formula has earned the Bronx rapper a place on the charts with collaborations alongside Nicki Minaj and Pink Pantheress, exemplifying that rap is a diverse genre that has more than enough room to house lyrical artists like Kendrick Lamar and those like her whose lyrics are “digestible” without losing an ounce of musicality.
Ice Spice doesn't consider herself a lyricist
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) October 16, 2023
“I wouldn't consider myself a lyricist. Obviously, lyrics go into music and I do think about them and I do be having bars in my music but they're just super simple. I want them to be digestible, I don't want them to fly over… pic.twitter.com/A5R290Hq3J
Spice even expressed a desire to explore different genres like pop and Latin music, citing Karol G and Kali Uchis as recent favorites. In fact, she is already exploring new genres in her newest single Pretty Girl featuring Afrobeats artist Rema.
Her recent string of singles this year are leading to her debut album.
“New York drill vibes, club music, Jersey club,” Ice Spice said about the musical landscape of her new album. “I would say I’m bringing drill to new heights”
Spice hopes to work on this album with her producer RIOT, who has produced almost all her songs, because she wants to continue the tradition of hip-hop and producer duos in the genre.
“I feel like it’s also super hip-hop in a way to have a main producer… to see like a real artist-producer, duo-type of thing, I feel like it’s kind of cool. We’re hanging on to that,” Spice told Complex.
Riot shared the sentiment stating that a lot of artists are seeking to collaborate with him right now, but he’s solely focused on nurturing his musical relationship with Ice Spice to continue their success onto her debut album, which has not yet been announced.
The 23-year-old is still learning how to navigate her fame, her music, and her new life. If she makes the right moves she’s bound to have a long and fruitful career.
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