“Like..?” Review
Ice Spice’s bass-boosted entry into the music industry
By Shanna Sivakumar
“You thought I was feelin’ you?” I am, actually. I love Ice Spice, and she’s cemented her entry into the music industry with her new EP, “Like..?”.
Ice Spice has been dropping singles since 2021, but she gained mainstream recognition with her song, “Munch (Feelin’ U),” that went viral on TikTok and caught everyone’s attention with her flow and lyricism.
“Like..?” is an EP filled with a heavy bass that rattles in your ears (quite literally, in her song “Princess Diana”) and catchy, repetitive hooks. Each song has minimal instrumentals consisting of bass, hi-hats, and various additional rhythmic elements complementing her rapping style. All of the beats are a product of producer RiotUSA, with whom Ice Spice has worked on every track in this release (his producer tag can be heard at the beginning of each song—“Stop playing with ‘em, RIOT”).
A highlight from “Like..?” would be her fifth track on the record, “Bikini Bottom,” which samples sound effects from Spongebob Squarepants and are simultaneously hilarious and addicting.
Bronx-born Ice Spice is a manifestation of late 90’s to early 2000’s nostalgia with heavy lipgloss and velvet tracksuits, serving a renaissance of “Lip Gloss” by Lil Mama. She’s got an unapologetic, unique style that sets her apart from other new rappers. Her relaxed, effortless flow and signature image have made her a new threat within rap and hip-hop.