Why Ice Spice rejected XXL’s 2023 freshman class cover?
After XXL revealed their 2023 Freshman Class Cover on Wednesday, many fans wondered why Ice Spice was not included in the lineup. The “Princess Diana” rapper skyrocketed to viral fame last year.
She earned a dedicated fanbase with billions of Spotify streams from her hit singles. She has already featured some of hip-hop’s biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, and Pinkpantheress. TMZ reports that the “Munch” rapper declined the cover spot this year due to her packed schedule.
The magazine claims she has a lineup of festivals, performances, and other business commitments, which left her unable to commit to a photo shoot, freestyle, and cipher with the other freshmen.
Why Ice Spice Rejected XXL’s 2023 Freshman Class Cover
Whether it’s her hectic workload or she’s already garnered more significant publicity than the list could bring. The “Munch” rapper’s decision to pass on the Freshman spot is unsurprising. This isn’t the first time an artist has passed on the honor, with artists like Drake, Don Toliver, and Nicki Minaj all refusing to make it in past years.
For Ice Spice, her busy schedule is understandable. She juggles major music projects, collaborations, and other business ventures. Her latest project is collaborating with Aqua for the Barbie movie soundtrack, which will release on June 23. Spice has many upcoming shows, including Wireless Fest in the UK, Broccoli City Festival in DC, Blockfest in Finland, and Made in America in Philly.
She’s Too Busy
The rising lyricist is also working on her debut album, a joint effort with the original member of ‘NSYNC, Britney Spears. She’s been spotted with Rihanna at fashion events and has even become an ambassador for her Savage x Fenty lingerie line. Despite her hectic schedule, it’s clear that Ice Spice is making big moves in the music industry and will continue to do so as she rises to the top.
XXL’s 2023 Freshman Class features a variety of Gen-Z rap favorites, including GloRilla, Lola Brooke, 2Rare, Luh Tyler, Fridayy, and Sleazy World Go. They all made a significant impact on the music scene this year.
Each artist racked up dedicated fanbases with their high-profile collabs and distinct sounds. XXL will release interviews, ciphers, and more this summer, highlighting the talented group of new artists.