If you’re an avid Instagram or TikTok user, you’ve likely heard one of Ice Spice’s songs playing in the background of a viral video.
Ice Spice’s songs are catchy, energetic, and exciting, and her way with words landed her collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, and Rema. But have you ever wondered who’s behind the infectious beats?
This article discusses everything you need to know about Ice Spice, including her age, early childhood and education, career, and personal life.
Early Childhood and Education
Born on January 1, 2000, in the Bronx, New York, Ice Spice—real name Isis Naija Gaston—was destined for greatness early on. At seven, she liked rap, hip-hop, and poetry, listening to musicians like Nicki Minaj, Lil’ Kim, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and others.
Ice Spice wrote poetry and freestyle lyrics in her notebook and on her Notes app during her free time.
In an interview with XXL Magazine, Ice Spice stated that Nicki Minaj was the first female rapper she had listened to and wanted to be like her.
Ice Spice is of mixed ethnicity. Joseph Gaston, her father, is African-American with Nigerian roots, while Charina Almanzar, her mother, is Dominican.
Joseph Gaston was an underground rapper and had been involved in the hip-hop scene for years, influencing Ice Spice’s early exposure to music and performance. His guidance and support played a significant role in shaping Ice Spice’s music.
Ice Spice’s mother didn’t have a music background but unwaveringly supported her daughter’s passions.
Charina and Joseph separated when Ice Spice was only two years old, but both have remained actively involved in their daughter’s life.
Ice Spice is the oldest of five siblings. She went to Sacred Heart High School, a private Roman Catholic high school in Yonkers, where she graduated in 2018. She later attended the State University of New York at Purchase, majoring in communications. Ice Spice stopped attending college during her sophomore year, believing it wasn’t for her.
After dropping out, Ice Spice worked at The Gap and Wendy’s as a cashier. She never gave up on her dream of becoming a successful rapper as she worked. She’d write lyrics during breaks and after work, practice her flow, and network with other artists online.
Early Career
Ice Spice began releasing her music in 2021 as a college student at SUNY Purchase. Her first few songs went under the radar, but that didn’t dissuade her from posting more songs.
Ice Spice first went viral after participating in the ‘Buss It’ challenge. For those unaware of the challenge, it’s a two-part transition video where they’re dancing in regular clothes (often without makeup) and the other with them glammed up.
This first taste of fame only fueled Ice Spice’s determination to succeed in the music industry. She released her first “official” song in March 2021, “Bully Freestyle,” under the record producer RiotUSA. It gained decent traction but not enough to label her as an up-and-coming star. Still, it was the push she needed to continue.
Rise to Fame
In August of the following year, Ice Spice released a single titled, “Munch (Feelin’ U)” accompanied by a music video. The video went viral when Drake played her song on Sound 42, his radio station.
Ice Spice’s career quickly took off after that. The song made waves in X, TikTok, and Instagram and charted on Billboard’s Hot Hip-Hop Songs and Bubbling Under Hot 100 charts.
She has since released other singles, including “Bikini Bottom,” “Gansta Boo (ft. Lil Tjay), “Princess Diana (ft. Nicki Minaj), and “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2 (ft PinkPantheress).” She also appeared as a featured artist on B-Lovee’s song “One Time.”
In 2023, Taylor Swift released a remix of her song “Karma,” featuring Ice Spice as a bonus track on Midnights (2022). The song peaked at number 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Ice Spice released another single called “Barbie World,” which featured Nicki Minaj that same year.
As of 2024, Ice Spice has nearly 20 million monthly listeners on Spotify, 11 million followers on Instagram, and over 2 million subscribers on YouTube.
Personal Life
Despite her growing fame, Ice Spice keeps her personal life mostly under wraps. She’s pretty open about her being bisexual, but she usually stays away from topics related to romance.
Rumors swirled about her dating life, with names like comedian Pete Davidson and actor Caleb McLaughlin popping up.
When asked, Ice Spice revealed that she was indeed dating someone, but whether it was Pete, Caleb, or someone else remains a mystery.
She did mention, however, that the person she’s dating highly supports her career. “He’s a great guy,” Ice Spice said in an interview with the LA Times, stating that she’s “happy” to be with him and learning a lot from him.
Some fans speculated that she’s dating her producer and long-time friend, RIOTUSA (also known as RIOT). Ice Spice has neither confirmed nor denied these rumors.
Ice Spice rarely talks about her family, but it’s filled with adoration when she does.
In a 2023 interview with Apple Music, she mentioned that she misses spending time with her siblings. With her schedule packed with performances, studio sessions, and interviews, she finds making time for her family challenging.
Ice Spice’s brother, Joey Gaston, a football quarterback and newly signed model, told GQ he was proud of his sister. “I’ve never doubted her, not a single day,” he said, “I’m proud of where she’s at.”
Ice Spice would play volleyball to unwind and spend hours pole dancing at home. She isn’t big on going out, stating that her ideal date would be chilling at home, smoking, eating, and watching movies.
Net Worth
According to various sources, including Yahoo!, Cosmopolitan, and Parade, Ice Spice’s net worth is estimated at around $8 million.
Her income comes from album sales, streaming royalties, concert tours, and endorsement deals.
Conclusion
Ice Spice is a rising star in the hip-hop scene. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York City, she knew what she wanted to be from a young age. Despite her booming fame, Ice Spice keeps her personal life as private as possible. She’s in a relationship but has yet to reveal with whom.
