The recent emergence of female rappers has caused frustration among many hip-hop fans, particularly purists. Artists such as Sexyy Red, GloRilla, Latto, and Saweetie have adopted a bold and provocative style that has sparked controversy. Critics often claim that their appeal relies heavily on their sexuality, while accusing them of lacking depth and songwriting skills. Ice Spice has faced similar scrutiny. Her significant success has drawn ire from many, and although the New Yorker may be indifferent to the criticism, her debut album was designed to address it. According to Pitchfork, Ice Spice accomplished this with Y2K!. Historically, fans of the genre have regarded Pitchfork as less credible, a sentiment that resurfaces after the publication rated Ice Spice's LP a 7.6 out of 10. Many have criticized Y2K!, even calling it one of the weakest projects of the year. Nonetheless, this score makes it the highest-rated mainstream rap album of 2024. Some users on Twitter questioned whether ScHoolboy Q's BLUE LIPS should be considered, but the California rapper does not have the same level of commercial success as Ice Spice. In its review, Pitchfork acknowledged the album's lyrical weaknesses as a primary issue but praised Ice Spice for creating a work that "sounds like nothing her peers could make, swerving from one sonic inspiration to the next." They commended her "agile and adaptable flow, assembling simple syllables into unusual cadences." Overall, Pitchfork described Y2K! as ambitious and appreciated her determination to pursue her artistic vision rather than conform to past norms.
For context, Ice Spice received higher ratings than mainstream artists like Metro Boomin, Future, Megan Thee Stallion, and Eminem. Keep it locked to 103.5 The Beat for more!