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Who Is Iggy Azalea?
Iggy Azalea is a prominent figure in contemporary hip hop, known for her distinctive style and remarkable success in both urban and mainstream music. An Australian-born rapper, she has made her mark as a unique talent, blending her sassy persona with an unexpected Southern drawl. Azalea has achieved significant milestones, including making history in 2014 by becoming only the second artist, after The Beatles, to occupy the No. 1 and No. 2 positions simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her debut album, The New Classic, reached No. 3 on the chart and garnered four Grammy nominations, solidifying her status as one of the most successful rappers of her generation. In addition to her musical achievements, Azalea has attracted media attention for her personal life, including high-profile relationships and candid discussions about her cosmetic surgery experiences. She released the EP Survive the Summer in 2018.
Hip Hop Fan with Australian Beginnings
Iggy Azalea, born Amethyst Amelia Kelly on June 7, 1990, in Sydney, Australia, hails from humble beginnings. Her father, Brendan, was an artist and children’s book author, while her mother, Tanya, worked as a cleaner. Growing up in Mullumbimby, a small town in New South Wales, Azalea’s aspirations began to take shape during a road trip to the United States in 2001 with her grandparents. It was during this journey that she visited Los Angeles and Las Vegas, sparking her desire for a life beyond the confines of rural Australia.
At the age of 12, Azalea developed a passion for hip hop, with influences including Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, and particularly Tupac Shakur. She credited Tupac’s posthumous 1999 single “Baby Don’t Cry” with igniting her love for rap music in a 2015 interview with Vogue. Feeling isolated from the hip hop scene due to her geographic location, Azalea turned to the internet to connect with the culture and community she admired.
During this time, she forged a bond with a fellow aspiring rapper named Derek, who was originally from the Bahamas. He became her confidant and the first person to provide feedback on her raps. This connection fueled Azalea’s determination to pursue her dreams, ultimately leading to her plans for a more significant move to the United States.
Iggy Azalea: A Journey from Australia to Southern Rap Stardom
Just before her 16th birthday, Iggy Azalea made a pivotal decision to travel to the United States, leaving her home in Australia behind. This two-week trip was motivated by her desire to meet Derek, a connection that ultimately led her to drop out of school. Upon arriving at Miami International Airport on July 4th, she quickly realized that the vibrant culture and energy of hip-hop resonated deeply with her. It wasn’t long before she informed her parents that she would not be returning to Australia, as she felt a profound sense of belonging in the birthplace of hip-hop.
Following her initial time in Miami, Azalea relocated to Houston and later settled in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the local culture, adopting the regional drawl and musical influences. In 2011, after moving to Los Angeles, she released her mixtape Ignorant Art, which showcased a raw and unfiltered sound that blended trap music—a derivative of Southern rap—into her artistry.
The following year marked a significant milestone in her career when she graced the cover of XXL magazine’s 2012 Freshmen Class issue, becoming the first female non-American rapper to achieve this honor. However, her rise to prominence sparked controversy, particularly with fellow rapper Azealia Banks, who criticized Azalea’s lyrics in the song “DRUGS.” In response, Azalea emphasized her representation of women in the industry, advocating for her own achievements while urging Banks to focus on her career.
In 2012, Azalea signed with Wilhelmina Models International and was named the “new face of Levi’s jeans,” further solidifying her status in the entertainment world.
‘The New Classic’ and Musical Achievements
Azalea’s exposure from XXL led to a collaboration with producer Diplo on her next mixtape, TrapGold, released in October 2012. Shortly thereafter, she signed with Island Def Jam in the U.S. and Mercury in the U.K. Her debut album, The New Classic, was released in April 2014, featuring a commercial blend of trap, dubstep, EDM, and pop. The album produced five hit singles—”Work,” “Bounce,” “Change Your Life,” “Fancy,” and “Black Widow”—and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
In a historic achievement, Azalea occupied both the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in June 2014. Her single “Fancy,” featuring British singer Charli XCX, topped the chart, while “Problem,” a collaboration with Ariana Grande, secured the second spot. This accomplishment had not been seen since The Beatles in 1964. The New Classic earned Azalea four Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album.
Personal Life and Career Developments
Azalea’s personal life has also garnered significant attention. She began dating rapper A$AP Rocky in 2011, even tattooing the title of his mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP, on her fingers. However, she removed the tattoo following their split in 2012. In March 2015, she publicly discussed her decision to undergo breast augmentation and later revealed a nose job, emphasizing that plastic surgery is an emotional journey and stressing the importance of self-acceptance.
In June 2015, Azalea announced her engagement to NBA player Nick Young, but the relationship ended a year later amid allegations of infidelity. Following this, she paused her second album, Digital Distortion, to focus on personal growth. In 2016, she took on the role of judge on the eighth season of X Factor Australia.
In March 2016, Azalea launched Azalea Street Productions, acquiring rights to several books and Australian television shows. She later announced a partnership with NBC Universal to produce content centered on social justice and empowering young women.
After announcing further delays for her album, Azalea released “Savior” in February 2018. Later that summer, she unveiled Survive the Summer, an EP featuring the lead single “Kream.” During this time, she briefly dated NFL player DeAndre Hopkins before their relationship ended.
‘In My Defense’ and Personal Struggles
Azalea made her return to the charts with “Sally Walker,” the lead single from her album In My Defense, in March 2019. The album’s second single, “Started,” followed in May. Shortly thereafter, she faced a personal crisis when topless photos from a 2016 GQ photoshoot were leaked online. In a heartfelt statement, she expressed her feelings of violation and disappointment, vowing to take legal action against those responsible.
Motherhood and Privacy
On June 10, 2020, Azalea revealed that she had welcomed a son, Onyx, into the world. Sharing her news on Instagram, she emphasized her desire to keep her child’s life private while making it clear that he is not a secret and that she loves him unconditionally. However, she chose not to disclose the identity of her son’s father, prioritizing her family’s privacy amidst the public eye.