In a new interview with Variety, Ice Spice opened up about it being competition in the rap game. During the conversation she gave credit to her father for instilling a competitive spirit into her and views the hip-hop culture almost as a sport.
“It is a competition at the end of the day. People want to be all ‘I’m a girl’s girl,’ but then behind the scenes being b*tches,” she told Variety. “Basically, we hear, the girls, are doing amazing. I’m excited to see it. I feel like the competition is what keeps us all excited because I think we all secretly enjoy competing and seeing who put that shit on better and who’s gon’ get the most views. I can be transparent, and I know the competition is checking on me too, which is why it’s OK to say that. Because it’s like, ‘Yeah, girl, I’m watching you and I know you watching me.’ And boys are watching too, because they be secretly haters.” She adds, “But everybody today is competing with everybody no matter if you a boy, girl, nonbinary, whatever it is. You still checking in on your competition. That’s in every industry.”
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She also spoke about how she’s a “genius” when it comes to marketing because if you remember Spice didn’t quite pop off from her music first, she started to get noticed after she posted herself dancing to the ‘Buss It Challenge’ on TikTok. “People be trying to act like I’m dumb, and I’m just like, I’m a marketing f*cking genius,” she said. “I feel like that just comes from being from New York, having to be quick on your feet, having to be witty and having a fast comeback. Having so many siblings and cousins just gave me that smartass mouth that I have and being able to react quickly. I think people with a smartass mouth make for good marketers.”
As we previously reported, the rapper also spoke to teen vogue and explained who her music is for. “I wouldn’t say girls, specifically, because the gays love me and I love the gays. I’m just making [music] that I like, honestly…. Everybody could really vibe to the beats. The beats is the most important thing. The beats be hard, n****s be wanting to hear that too. So I feel like everything else complements it.”
Ice Spice has a long career ahead of her but she’s still surprised every time she makes a new accomplishment.
“When I’m watching myself back on TV and stuff, I feel like I’m watching as Isis and I’m just watching Ice Spice like everybody else,” she explains.
“I’m most proud of staying grounded so far, because I’ve already been through so many things that I know a lot of people would’ve lost their f*cking minds. The whole lifestyle change is super drastic, especially coming from where I come from, not coming from sh*t and not having a lot growing up, to now — it’s the complete opposite…. Even though it’s a positive change, it’s still a change.”