Earlier in the month, Ice Spice found herself in the middle of a professional controversy with former friend Cleotrapa. But as of today (September 23), the “Popa” rapper was supposedly able to put another dispute behind her.
According to Billboard, Ice Spice has reached a settlement in a copyright infringement surrounding her breakout song, “In Ha Mood.”
Although the specifics of the argument has not been shared, based on Billboard’s report, all parties were agreed to resolve the matter.
Back in January, fellow recording artist D.Chamberz launched the suit against Ice Spice, the track’s producer RiotUSA, and her record labels (Universal Music Group, Capitol Records and 10K Projects). D.Chamberz alleged that his track was not only release prior to Ice Spice’s song, but it also gained traction which used to emphasize the likelihood of the musicians coming across it.
“It cannot be purely coincidental,” said D.Chamberz’s attorney. “Go [to] the core of each work.”
D.Chamberz argued Ice Spice’s single copied his record’s “beat, lyrics, hook, rhythmic structure, metrical placement, and narrative context of his track.”
Ice Spice’s legal representatives denied the accusation.
However, D.Chamberz attornies doubled down on their arguements. “By every method of analysis, ‘In Ha Mood’ is a forgery. Any proper comparative analysis of the beat, lyrics, hook, rhythmic structure, metrical placement, and narrative context will demonstrate that ‘In Ha Mood’ was copied.”
Everyone knows Ice Spice broke out onto the mainstream hip-hop scene with her 2022 viral track “Munch (Feelin’ U).” It was the popularity of “Munch (Feelin’ U)” on TikTok in particular that helped propel her career to a level she never imagined. Hailing from the Bronx, New York, the 24-year-old drill rapper earned a reputation for her lyrics, but she’s had some help on her quirky beats. Part of the motivation to begin creating music in 2021 came from her chance meeting with the producer RiotUSA at college. RiotUSA’s quirky beats and interesting sampling have played an ongoing role in Ice Spice’s commercial success. Spice hasn’t been withholding about this at all, often bringing her producer into the limelight along with her Here we’ll dive into five Ice Spice samples that showcase the fun and unexpected approach the duo has capitalized on.
“Gangsta Boo” is a collab track Ice Spice created with Lil Tjay for the deluxe edition of her debut extended play Like..? in 2023. RiotUSA and Mario Winans also worked together on the production side. The track features one of the most interestingly chopped Ice Spice samples to date. The track takes its slick melodic riff from P. Diddy and Ginuwine’s “I Need a Girl (Part Two),” released on a 2002 compilation album. RiotUSA ingeniously transforms the riff from its original laid-back and sultry R&B feel. Now, by removing notes here and there, the riff is both poppier and punchier, giving “Gangsta Boo” both a familiar and edgy sound.
“Actin A Smoochie”: Ice Spice Meets Tierra Whack
Tierra Whack, the rapper-singer who’s been performing since she was a teenager, dropped her R&B? EP in 2021. Ice Spice and RiotUSA apparently took a liking to the track “Cuttin Onions,” since they sampled it with little alteration for Spice’s “Actin A Smoochie.” The primary modification made was a tempo increase which also forced an upward pitch change.
2021’s “No Clarty” contains probably the most famous Ice Spice samples we’ve covered thus far. This was the rapper’s second single, and it made great use of Zedd and Foxes’ “Clarity.” Back in 2012, you could hear this song everywhere. Glee, The Voice, and The X Factor also included renditions of the song. Even Korean popstars BLACKPINK covered the track back in 2019. RiotUSA and Spice utilized the track’s chorus, having it play pretty much through the entirety of “No Clarity.” But they switched things up by modulating the track and changing its speed fluidly. Warping a song called “Clarity” worked as a clever play on the title “No Clarity.” It worked even better as the perfect melodic accompaniment to Spice’s delivery.
Ice Spice’s newest track, “Gimme a Light,” is appropriately named. That’s because Sean Paul’s 2002 hit record “Gimme The Light” is its inspiration and basis. It uses the hook in Paul’s classic track to great effect, slowing it down and looping for Ice Spice’s own hook. The syllable stresses in the slowed Paul hook form a map that the entire song’s beat follows. “Gimme A Light” is set to be the first single off of the Bronx rapper’s debut studio LP, Y2K, slated for release next month by Capitol Records. This interesting installment in the growing catalog of Ice Spice samples foreshadows what she and RiotUSA have in store for us on the full-length album.
“Barbie World”: Bringing Back Aqua
This Ice Spice sample throws things way back to 1997, using Aqua’s famous track “Barbie Girl.” This was the Danish-Norwegian dance group’s biggest song, reaching number one in 10 countries and selling over 8 million copies worldwide. Throughout most of “Barbie World,” Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj exchange raps over Aqua’s chorus. There are a few momentary pauses, and the beginning of the song samples the iconic “you can say, ‘I’m always yours,’” line before Spice says “Stop playin’ with ’em Riot.”
From the very start of her career as a rap diva, Ice Spice’s life has changed significantly. She went from being an aspiring rhymer in her early 20s, living in the Bronx, to spending time with figures like Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj. While some stars on the rise prefer to collaborate with an abundance of beatmakers to build their perfect sound, Spice has consistently worked with RiotUSA, who’s been in her life long before she unleashed her 2022 breakout hit, “Feelin’ U (Munch).”
Besides making magic together in the studio on songs like “Princess Diana” and “Pretty Girl,” the former college classmates also enjoy kicking it when they’re not working too. This past weekend, Riot was at the Super Bowl with his favourite femcee, and some fans took note of how good he looked alongside Spice. Some have previously linked them together romantically after the “Deli” hitmaker hinted at being in a relationship last year, though others have their theories that DJ Enuff’s son could be a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Earlier this week, one of Nicki Minaj’s Barbz shared a screenshot of the DM they sent to Riot, simply writing, “Yo.” The busy creative hasn’t yet replied, but the Twitter/X user remained persistent, tagging Spice in hopes of having her facilitate something. “[Put me on] @icespicee_,” they pleaded. “He don’t like boys,” she simply responded, shutting down speculation about her friend’s sexuality.
Elsewhere in the news, Ice Spice has the attention of more than one man in the entertainment industry following Super Bowl weekend. The redhead attended alongside Taylor Swift, who was front and center in the news while supporting her man, Travis Kelce. The New Yorker met NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal at the big game too, though he’s now facing backlash for his provocative comments about the 24-year-old. Read all about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news.
In 2023, no other rap rookie shined quite like Ice Spice. You name it, the “In Ha Mood” rapper accomplished it. From chart placement and big brand partnerships to massive collaborations with superstars Nicki Minaj (for the Barbie movie soundtrack) and Taylor Swift, Ice Spice is one to watch.
This year, based on interviews from her producer, RiotUSA, the Bronx native doesn’t have any plans on slowing down with her debut album slated to drop this year. However, thanks to a now-viral photo shared by Ice Spice, users online think that could be pushed back. After uploading an image on X (formerly Twitter) to show off her casual chic look of the day, her followers’ reaction was quite what Ice Spice expected.
The number one thing on fans’ minds was: Is Ice Spice pregnant? The question nearly became a trending topic as the image’s impressions on the platform alone rocketed to over two million.
Images taken from other angles seem to support Ice Spice’s claim. However, after the lengths Halle Bailey went to in order to hide her pregnancy on social media, users aren’t convinced by Ice Spice’s explanation.
Ice Spice is a lover of the dramatic. From clones in a flash mob descending upon Times Square to nearly butt-blazing pyrotechnics on stage, the “In Ha Mood” rapper knows how to create a viral moment. As the year closes, she wants to ensure fans that she won’t slow down come 2024.
In a viral video shared on Capitol Records’ official Instagram page, Ice Spice let her munch flag (a modified American flag in all pink featuring an image of her) fly high above the record label’s corporate offices in Hollywood. California.
After the clip made its rounds online, people shared their excitement for what’s next for Ice Spice.
So far, Ice Spice hasn’t revealed her plans for 2024. However, during an interview with Billboard, her producer, RiotUSA, spilled the beans. While discussing his creative process, his longtime collaborative partner came up.
“It’s a fun time because [Ice Spice] really be saying how she feels in that moment… from picking out vibes or punching in lyrics on the spot,” said Riot. “Fans should know I produce and record too, so look out for my music. Also, look out for new classics with Ice in 2024. We’re working on her debut album as we speak.”
Ice Spice’s flag flying in the breeze appears to be a bat signal of sorts that new music is on the way.
Ice Spice and her producer RiotUSA had an absolutely killer 2023, with the rapper arguably being the genre’s biggest breakout star of the year. Moreover, it’s only natural for us to expect that next year will only bring us better things when it comes to this duo. With plenty of hits already under their belts, there’s a lot of pressure for them to perform, bring some real heat, and impress in a big way in 2024. During a recent interview with Billboard, Riot detailed some parts of their process together as collaborators and also hinted at what they’re working hard on for the next step in their careers.
“It’s a fun time because she really be saying how she feels in that moment,” he remarked of Ice Spice, who’s been making music with him since 2021 after they met at SUNY Purchase. “From picking out vibes or punching in lyrics on the spot. Fans should know I produce and record too, so look out for my music. Also look out for new classics with Ice in 2024. We’re working on her debut album as we speak.”
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 28: Ice Spice performs during iHeart Powerhouse 105.1 at Prudential Center on October 28, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Furthermore, this is pretty much all we know about the Bronx MC’s full-length debut, but it’s just enough to get our hopes up. We never really expected her not to capitalize on her incredible fame and success, but gap years come in very surprising ways, so you never know when someone wants to take a break and really sit on their next move. This is also quite exciting because Ice Spice recently switched labels, and hopefully that ends up being a big win for her in retrospect. With that in mind, all we can hope for is that they come through with another update sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old knows exactly how good she is– and she’s not shy about gassing herself up. One of her funniest recent social media posts was revealing that she was her most listened-to artist of 2023 on Spotify. Hopefully that means the “Deli” hitmaker is listening to her own material a lot to think about what she’ll improve on her debut album. For more news and the latest updates on Ice Spice and RiotUSA, stay posted on HNHH.
Ice Spice had a pretty serious rise this year, gaining traction on hits like “Princess Diana” and more. At the start of most of her songs, she gives a shoutout to her producer, RiotUSA, with the classic “Stop playing with ’em, Riot” line.
After the two met at SUNY Purchase, they have been collaborating on music since 2021. RiotUSA also recently gave a new interview to Billboard, where he discussed what their process is like — and the fact that Ice Spice’s debut album should be expected next year.
“It’s a fun time because she really be saying how she feels in that moment… from picking out vibes or punching in lyrics on the spot,” he explained about how he works with Ice Spice in the studio.
“Fans should know I produce and record too, so look out for my music,” he added when asked about plans for next year. “Also look out for new classics with Ice in 2024. We’re working on her debut album as we speak.”
Right now, not much else is known about Ice Spice’s debut album. In January of 2023, the rapper only dropped her debut studio EP, but she’s made a ton of progress since then. Here’s hoping fans will get to hear more about her full-length record soon.
A lot goes into delivering a great show, but the “Barbie World” rapper only needs a mic. While Riot, who stood in as her onstage DJ, simply required the proper cords to connect to the speakers. One fan tuned into the festival’s live stream noticed the Riot’s bare table and took to Twitter to laugh about it. “Ice Spice DJ with the least demanding tech rider in Wireless history ,” wrote the user.
Riot joined in on the lighthearted roast, replying to the user, “Because I’m not a DJ .” Ice Spice successfully completed her set without any compliments from attendees. So, it looks like the low-maintenance technical needs go to get the job done.
During her time in London, Ice Spice appeared on BBC Radio 1. When asked if she was enjoying herself, cheerfully replied, “I love it here. It kind of reminds me of New York a lit bit.”
Ice went on to say that while the cultures are similar, the major cities share something else in common, saying, “The smells too! Because I think yesterday was garbage day,” referring to London’s unique scent.
This week, Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj dropped their highly-anticipated collab, a remix of Ice Spice’s “Princess Diana”. While the remix has not yet landed on the charts, it could be Spice’s third concurrent single on the Billboard Hot 100. “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” is currently at #8 while “In Ma Hood” is at #76. “Princess Diana” debuted at #22 in the UK charts while also going top-10 in The Netherlands.
However, while “Princess Diana” was a smash hit, the remix has some calling foul play. There are claims that the remix’s producer, RiotUSA, has been paying fans to stream the song in order to raise its eventual chart debut. Their evidence? A single, single-deleted tweet from the producer. Safe to say, Twitter went absolutely crazy over this new conspiracy.
Fans point to a now-deleted tweet from RiotUSA as evidence of inflated sales. According to several videos posted online, the tweet read ““which big munchkin acc or barb acc can i trust to distribute funds for y’all to buy princess diana??” The tweet has met with shock from both fans and detractors before being deleted. However, detractors have gone as far as to claim they have contacted Billboard in an effort to get the song’s allegedly fraudulent chart position fixed. As the song was released in the last seven days, it is yet to debut on the charts.
But what is the truth behind the alleged pay-for-play tweet? On the one hand, the detractors could be completely right and this was a blatant attempt to artificially boost sales. However, this could also just be a poor-received joke. Looking at the situation, it’s more likely the latter. Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj are two of the most scrutinized modern artists. Therefore, it would be weird for an attempt to artificially boost their song to be so traceable. But the damage is also done, RiotUSA can’t come out and claim it’s a joke because that just leads to more drama. So instead, we must brace ourselves for the backlash when “Princess Diana” does debut on the charts.
While some rap stars rely on the help of a ghostwriter to craft their best verses, others are confident enough in their pen to handle to hard work themselves. Among the latter category is Ice Spice, who’s been putting together her quick-witted lyrics herself since she blew up last summer with the arrival of “Munch (Feelin’ U).” The New York starlet’s most recent accolade is being tapped as Harper Bazaar’s 2023 Music Director, earning her a feature in their April issue in which she markedly opened up about her incredibly fast-paced rise to fame.
“I’ve always been a baddie, and I’ve always been infatuated with other baddies,” the 23-year-old told the outlet during their sitdown. “I wanted to emulate that and make other people feel that way too,” she explained of her often salacious, female-centric bars. Prior to finding fame, her first two releases were “Bully Freestyle” and “No Clarity,” which came together for Spice shortly after she connected with RIOTUSA while studying at the State University of New York at Purchase together. The time since has found them making plenty of hits. “We just cook up bops, we make vibes; I try not to think too hard and just really have fun,” she revealed.
As for being one of the few female figures in drill, the redhead says she’s become comfortable with pushing boundaries. “I feel like I’m bringing a new sound to people that they haven’t really heard before, being one of the few girls to bring drill to a mainstream level,” Spice told HB. She additionally hinted at the future arrival of her debut album (following January’s Like..? EP), and while “it’s definitely cooking up right now,” she doesn’t want to “promise any dates” to her fans. “I’m so proud of it and how fun it was to make, and I can tell that right now, this is an era I’m always going to cherish,” the Bronx baddie added of her recent release.
Elsewhere in her Harper’s Bazaar feature, Ice Spice confirmed that she’s comfortable continuing to write her own raps for now, but a time may come in the future when she’s interested in linking up with other lyricists. “Right now, I’m sticking to what got me here in the first place,” the “Bikini Bottom” hitmaker said. “That’s me being creative in the studio with Riot.” Revisit Isis Gaston’s breakout single below, and check back later for more hip-hop news updates.
(@FinesttCartier) 
,” wrote the user.
.” Ice Spice successfully completed her set without any compliments from attendees. So, it looks like the low-maintenance technical needs go to get the job done.