Ice Spice has been immersed in a creative mood, diligently crafting new music in the studio. The 24-year-old rap superstar officially confirmed the imminent completion of her debut album.
During Tuesday’s episode of TODAY, she assured fans that they won’t have to wait much longer to hear it. “Yes, there’s going to be an album this year,” the Grammy-nominated artist responded with excitement and a huge smile on her face when hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager asked if there was going to be an album “soon.”
The rapper behind “Munch” confirmed that her debut album, titled “Y2K,” is set to be released later this year. “I’m so excited,” she expressed.
While smirking and shrugging her shoulders, Ice Spice, whose real name is Isis Naija Gaston, added, “It’s almost finished, so I’m really excited.”
The hitmaker provided insight into why she chose the name Y2K for her debut album. Despite fans associating it with her early 2000s-inspired style, she revealed a personal connection to the Y2K era.
“I was [born on Y2K] and that’s why I decided to name it that,” the hip-hop star revealed, referring to her birthdate of Jan. 1, 2000.
While refraining from revealing too much, Ice Spice acknowledged that collaborations would be a part of the record. With a playful roll of her Rs, she shared, “I have a crazy collaboration that just got locked in, like, two days ago.”
Though the rapper officially announced her upcoming project on TODAY, it seems she teased it earlier in November 2023. Ice Spice posted a photo on Instagram featuring her new lower back tattoo, captioned, “Y2K! ?/?/24,” hinting at the album.
Y2K marks the rapper’s official debut LP. Despite rising to rap superstardom after the viral success of “Munch (Feelin’ U)” in 2022 and releasing projects like the 2023 EP Like..?, featuring hits like “Gangsta Boo” and “In Ha Mood,” she had not released a full-length album until now.
The release date for the project is yet to be announced.
Last week, the single “Think U The S— (Fart)” and its accompanying music video were released, showcasing the rapper and her friends during a Miami vacation rendezvous.
The track, blending a funky beat with the Bronx talent’s signature drill sound and witty lyricism, gained viral attention before its release. Weeks prior, the hip-hop star previewed a snippet of the track and its humorous chorus (“Think you the s—, bitch? / You not even the fart”) on Instagram, accompanied by a meme featuring the Nintendo character Mario.
Ice Spice is nominated for her first-ever Grammys, including the prestigious Best New Artist award. She also earned three other nominations: Best Pop/Group Duo Performance for the “Karma” remix with Taylor Swift, Best Rap Song, and Best Song Written for Visual Media for her collaboration with Nicki Minaj on “Barbie World” from the Barbie soundtrack.
