"Icy Grl" (pronounced "icy girl") is the debut single by American rapper Saweetie. It was first released through SoundCloud in 2017, before being released on October 2, 2017, as her debut commercial single and the lead single from her debut EP High Maintenance (2018). The song is a freestyle to "My Neck, My Back (Lick It)" by Khia.

"Icy Grl"
Single by Saweetie
from the album High Maintenance
ReleasedOctober 2, 2017
Length1:49
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Taz
  • Plat'num House
Saweetie singles chronology
"Icy Grl"
(2017)
"Up Now"
(2018)
Music video
"Icy Grl" on YouTube

Background

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Around the time she wrote the song, Saweetie had been renting rooms from Craigslist. She stated that she penned the lyrics in one such room that had nothing but a mattress. Unhappy with her state of affairs, Saweetie wrote about the person she wanted to be in the song to motivate herself.[1][2]

Before her rise to fame, she posted videos of herself rapping in her car on Instagram. One of the videos featured Saweetie performing a freestyle rap to the beat "My Neck, My Back (Lick It)" by Khia, which she released on SoundCloud as well. It went viral on the Internet in the summer of 2017 and became her breakout single.[1][3][4]

Content

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In the song, Saweetie raps about her goals in life and the person she wants to be in the future, as well as taking aim at her haters.[5][6]

Music video

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A music video for the song was released in October 2017. It finds Saweetie hanging out inside of a mansion surrounded by palm trees.[4][6]

Remix

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The official remix of the song was released on April 28, 2018 and is dubbed the "Bae Mix". It features vocals from American singer Kehlani, who performs a rap verse on the track, as well as a new verse from Saweetie.[7]

Charts

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles[8] 6
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[9] 16

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[10] Platinum 80,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[11] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[12] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b C.M., Emmanuel (December 1, 2017). "The Break Presents: Saweetie". XXL.
  2. ^ Kennedy, Gerrick D. (April 10, 2018). "Rising rapper Saweetie is one to watch this year". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ^ Fresh, Mikey (November 8, 2017). "Interview: Saweetie Turned Her "Icy Girl" Video Into A Career Springboard". Vibe.
  4. ^ a b Lyle, Ashley (February 14, 2018). "Rising MC Saweetie Talks Viral Hit 'Icy Grl,' Signing With Warner Bros. Records & the Value of Education". Billboard.
  5. ^ Fresh, Mikey (October 17, 2017). "Saweetie Is "High Maintenance" And She's An "Icy Girl"". Vibe.
  6. ^ a b India, Lindsey (November 3, 2017). "Saweetie Spits Mesmerizing Bars in Her "Icy Grl" Video". XXL.
  7. ^ Saponara, Michael (April 30, 2018). "Kehlani Joins Saweetie for 'ICY GRL' Remix: Listen". Billboard.
  8. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: April 14, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  9. ^ "Rhythmic Songs: May 19, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Saweetie – Icy Grl". Music Canada.
  11. ^ "British single certifications – Saweetie – Icy Grl". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  12. ^ "American single certifications – Saweetie – Icy Grl". Recording Industry Association of America.