New York rapper Ice Spice has sparked mixed reactions after a controversial performance during her recent tour of Australia.
The artist, known for hits like “Princess Diana” and “In Ha Mood,” used one of her final shows to briefly address the fallout from her appearance at the Wildlands Festival in Brisbane on New Year’s Eve. The event coincided with the eve of her 25th birthday, but timing issues and a truncated set left fans frustrated.
Ice Spice, scheduled to perform from 10:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., arrived 30 minutes late, taking the stage at 10:55 p.m. Festival organizers, bound by tight scheduling, allowed her an additional minute past her slot.
However, the microphone was cut during her third song, “In Ha Mood,” to keep the evening’s lineup, including a midnight countdown by U.K. duo Chase & Status, on track. The brief performance—just two full songs—prompted visible disappointment from the crowd.
Brenton Larney, a journalist and podcaster present at the event, described the scene as chaotic and disheartening.
“People waited a long time and got only two songs,” he said. He also criticized Ice Spice’s demeanor, noting her laughter and apparent indifference as she left the stage, declining flowers offered in celebration of her birthday. “It felt like she didn’t want to be there,” he added.
The festival later addressed the incident on Instagram, explaining their strict adherence to set times due to a midnight curfew. “We understand that Ice Spice’s delay caused disappointment,” they wrote. “With a stacked lineup and curfews, we had to ensure the final act started on time for everyone to enjoy the countdown.”
Initially silent about the controversy, Ice Spice addressed the situation during her set at the Perth leg of the festival on January 4. In a brief moment on stage, she offered an apology:
“I’m sorry, guys. Surely y’all can forgive me. It was my birthday, and it takes a long time to look like a Barbie.” Her comment served as an introduction to her performance of “Barbie World,” her collaboration with Nicki Minaj.
Ice Spice concluded her Australian tour with a show in Adelaide on January 5, marking the end of her global tour in support of her debut album, Y2K!. The album, praised by critics, reached No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
While the Brisbane mishap left some fans disappointed, Ice Spice’s rising star power and ability to command attention remain undeniable.
Leave a Reply