We know Ice Spice for her signature orange curls and catchy songs but more so for her skyrocketing success as one of the year’s breakout stars. The “Munch” hitmaker spoke with Billboard about her viral stardom and initial confusion concerning fans’ comparison of her to the iconic British royal, Princess Diana, before proudly embracing the title.

Isis Gaston took on the moniker of “Ice Spice” after coming up with it at 14. Why? Because “ice” rhymes with “spice,” the Nigerian/Dominican rapper loves spicy food. The rap name has caught on: From TikTok to the front row of New York Fashion Week, the American artist has become inescapable since her emergence on the rap scene last summer.

Her ubiquitous sound (akin to New York drill music meets pop) has made her one of this generation’s most significant new artists. Less than a year since dropping “Munch (Feelin’ U),” the 23-year-old artist has landed a chart-topping feature with rap legend Nicki Minaj, attended her first Met Gala, and now, Billboard has rolled out an extensive feature with the viral rapper.

Upon her swift ascent to fame with hits like “Bikini Bottom” and a remix of “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” fans were quick to compare Spice with the late Princess Diana, lovingly bestowing upon the young talent the title of “The People’s Princess” when mentioning her online. But Spice admitted in the cover story interview that she didn’t understand the references.

“I saw all of my supporters being like, ‘She’s the People’s Princess! She’s Princess Diana!’” the Bronx native told Billboard’s Heran Mamo. “At first, I was confused. I was like, ‘Um, Princess Diana? Out of everybody?’ But [then] I was like, ‘F*ck it, she’s iconic.’”

Ice Spice has clearly embraced the analogy to the original “People’s Princess,” even referencing the meme in her aptly titled single “Princess Diana” from her debut EP Like..?, which quickly became a hit.

“Nowadays, I be duckin’ them cameras / And they hype that I’m up on them banners / Callin’ my phone, but they know I don’t answer (Why?) / In the hood I’m like Princess Diana,” lyrics from the song go.

After dropping on April 14, the track’s remix with Nicki Minaj reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s currently in its third week on the chart. “Princess Diana” also became the first No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs to feature two women since it launched 34 years ago.

“So proud of ‘Princess Diana’ with Nicki, like my dream collab [really] came true, I can [die] happy now,” Spice tweeted last month.

Spice credited her father for his early teachings on rap, even confessing he’s why she loves her idol, the 40-year-old femcee.

“He’s always schooling me on what’s happened in hip hop… he’s the one who told me about Nicki Minaj in the first place,” the young singer admitted.

Spice is currently gearing up for the release of the deluxe version of Like..? this summer, but she revealed to Billboard that she is already manifesting even bigger things to come.

“I just want more accolades. I just want to put out more music,” Ice Spice said.

“I’m still learning a lot, to be honest. But I’m so happy I’ve put in that time and that work — because it’s paying off,” she added.

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