offthrack

[offthrack]

𝑻𝑺𝑹 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 — SPICE ARRESTED WHILE ON VACATION IN JAMAICA

Big Mama found herself in 𝑏𝑖𝑔 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒 last night in Montego Bay. She'll be held in Tower Street Correctional Facility over the weekend and be allowed to post bail Monday morning.

Celebrity — Naomi Hyatt, better known as American rapper 𝕾𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 was arrested in 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐎 𝐁𝐀𝐘 late last night after a celebraion [of her music video shoot]. Sources at the scene say she was ejected from an unmarked black suburban at 2:21AM, following a ten minute mid-speed chase where the vehicle initially refused to pull over. With conflicting statements, and the artist being incoherent at the time of arrest, authorities are unsure if Hyatt made the call to initiate the chase.

Officers recovered 10 lbs of marijuana, unregistered firearms, non-prescription methamphetamines, and an undisclosed amount of cocaine from the vehicle—most of which Hyatt denies involvement. At the time of arrest, the rapper is alleged to have been erratic, speaking nonsense that didn’t pertain to the case. “She keep a seh we haffi let her go or her dog a go dead. Di woman did hysterical, mi mean, we never know wah fi do.” Officer Clarke recounted. Hyatt was also not alone in the truck, accompanied by five local civilians instead of her usual entourage.

The rapper's tox screen came back with copious amounts of marijuana and of course, alcohol in her system. But authorities don’t find that substantial enough to explain her behavior. She’s facing potential charges of possession,—of narcotics and firearms—intent to distribute, and disorderly conduct tacked on following the chaotic arrest.

Hyatt will be held at Tower Street Adult Correctional Facility over the weekend and be allowed to post first thing Monday morning. Her bail is set at $1,000,000.

What do we think, roomies? Are we saying #𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 ?

[offthrack]

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀the official sugar honey iced tea tour lookbook

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀© 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄.

rising rap star 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 served countless memorable looks on her first headlining tour this fall! styled by the infamous 𝑛𝑎𝑣𝑦 𝑟𝑜𝑒, the artist's looks range from custom to archival — with a signature style that reflected the feel of the tour and showcased her personality and southern upbringing in a fun, vibrant way.

an undeniable and overarching theme of the 𝐒.𝐇.𝐈.𝐓. 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑟 ensembles is that they take us to the countryside of the dirty south, where hunting culture influences fashion. animal; print, fur, skin... the rapper sported different textures and fabrics across the 22-night tour embodying her deeply planted 𝓖𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑎𝑛 roots.

fur coats from 𝑠𝑒𝑘𝑠 at her toronto show, 𝑘𝑖𝑚 𝑠ℎ𝑢𝑖 faux fur adorning her arms in connecticut, and even got her hands on some exclusive threads from 𝑠𝑝5𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒 with a cow print jacket in arizona.

her houston crowd saw her serve the look she coins 'country Cruella', featuring a custom body length printed trench coat from 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑚 and matching vail bra. not to mention the 𝑫𝒊𝒐𝒓 cowboy boots to top off the outfit's western vibe.

revice wasn't the only custom denim that made an appearance on the sold out tour — it seems the 𝐴-𝑡𝑜𝑤𝑛 native can't get enough of a jean look. vintage 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝐵𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑠 and a full body custom from 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒕 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒃 are but a few of her delicious denim collection; her custom belted jeans from @/trendyguy.inc on ig have gone viral twice since their debut at the los angeles date!

one thing each of 𝑆𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒'𝑠 carefully chosen tour costumes has in common is they're all fitted. her lyric '𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘, 𝑔𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑎 𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑚' rings true as each custom made piece hugs her curves and hides almost nothing from the audience. what better way to show off her hourglass figure than with leather ﹠ latex.

the rapstress wowed her halloween crowd in brooklyn with a latex 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑜𝑦 𝐵𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑦 costume custom made by 𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑜 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑜 — paired with chic 𝒃𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑎 𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑎 knee highs as she rapped across the stage. but she let it all hang out in ohio, and it paid off. the mixed leather lace up top from 𝑠𝑒𝑘𝑠 and 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑 low risers she wore at her sixth sold out show in cincinnatti had comments raging across tiktok and instagram asking where to purchase.

even though many of her outfits arguably ran a little dark (don't get us wrong, we love a lady in black!), 𝑆𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 incorporated captivating splashes of color into her wardrobe that reminded us how cute she is. besides the bold latex 𝑘𝑖𝑚 𝑠ℎ𝑢𝑖 set, the rapper looked darling in her soft pink bodysuit from ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑜𝑓𝑗𝑚𝑐 , matching 𝑣𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 bomber jacket and shiny pina cuissarde boots from 𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑎𝑢𝑙.

this lookbook would be incomplete without the note that nearly everyone's outfit hit. whether self or fan proclaimed, cheetah print has become trademark of 𝑆𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒'𝑠 brand — and it showed this tour! social media went wild for this decked out leopard print corset set from 𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒋𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 and 𝑗𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒'𝑠 tracy boot. traffic to both sites has reportedly ramped up over 150% in the last 7 days.

you can shop any of the mentioned looks through the links above.

[offthrack]

. . .╰ 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 for the 𝒥𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑒𝑟 ℋ𝑢𝑑𝑠𝑜𝑛 Show

Overhead the studio lights blaze down onto the live audience seated in front of the stage, the cheerful host presenting a shining smile as she performed her routine intro. Spice lingered near the abundant snack table backstage while awaiting her invitation to her seat, admittedly nervous for her first daytime talk show appearance — her manager insisted that this milestone only spoke to her bubbling commercial success. And while meant to be taken as praise, the budding starlet couldn't help but feel the pressure of such an implication.

JH: "Let's keep it honest female rap has dominated music this year. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing GloRilla, and this upcoming rap diva was yet another artist making waves both in our homes and on the charts — well, in my home at least! After being in the rap industry for three years, she released her debut album Sugar Honey Iced Tea and became the first female rapper from her city to top the Billboard Rap Charts! She even took the project on tour so she could bring a little of Magic City to the rest of the states. Everybody, please join me in welcoming the beautiful and immensely talented Spice to the stage!"

Though internally trembling with nerves the artist wore a luminous smile, taking long strides to meet her host between the modern armchairs for a warm embrace. Yet another, softer smile toward the crowd cheering her on before she finally takes her seat. A french tipped manicured hand comes up to greet her and then the members of the audience whose faces the lights didn't obstruct. "Heyy, Jen! Thank you so much for having me. I'm not really a talk show girlie, but I always tune in to your interviews."

JH: "Thank you for agreeing. That's great, then you know we like to get down to the nitty-gritty on here — in a respectful way, of course. But I wanna know it all; where you've been, where you're at, and where you're going. We can start with where you're at — how are you feeling? Your tour ends in a few days; your first headlining tour, might I add. Especially after such a successful and positive response to your album — you must be on cloud nine."

"Ten." The femme quickly replied without skipping a beat, but she couldn't hide the scoff masked as a laugh that she let out. "I mean, I've had sooo much fun touring! Getting to meet my fans and see people come out for me to support me, it's an unmatched feeling. But man.. this tour.. this tour..! I definitely learned what it means to be independent, you know? There were way more hiccups than I would have liked. And despite me having a team of people behind me, besides my tour manager and a few of the sound guys, none of the people who work with me had been on a tour before. What they really don't tell you, though, is that it all just falls back on you. We had a wardrobe situation the first stop — honestly, we had a few situations on that first stop. I'm still so sorry Tampa, we gon' have to run that back." A thoughtful pause seemingly takes the air out of the room. Naomi had never seen herself as a victim, nor did she feel like the problems on tour were necessarily against her, but in truth the hate she'd been receiving for everything from timings to production had been weighing on her more than she let on. "But um, I get online and I see people in my mentions about how the tour is run and my call times and the venue's cutoff time... it definitely made me wanna go harder, but it hurt my lil' feelings a little bit."

JH: "I can imagine. I've seen a few clips and I was entertained, so I don't know what they were complaining about. But stuff like that lights a fire under you. For a long time before this show, I was counted out by a lot of my peers. It's surreal to think about what you were doing two years ago—even a year ago! So many people would've been discouraged by unforeseen circumstances like that. I definitely wouldn't have been able to tell there were any complications at all! What kept you motivated in those times?"

Her brows knit together for a moment and she looked up to the sky; as if she was telepathically talking to God. A weighted sigh precedes her response. "Um, I've always been in a position to take care of those around me. If I call off the tour 'cause I'm emotional one day, I don't get paid. Then they don't get paid, and that's a bad look. Also I'm at a very special point in my career, not just with the public but myself too. I still have to prove myself.. to myself! My confidence in my music is newfound and I only want to strengthen it — the little victories remind me that I'm on the right track. More than anything, that motivates me. The thought that one day it'll all pay off."

JH: "In many ways it already is! It's easy to get caught up in the critiques, but you are the name rolling off of everyone's tongue right now. There are so many eyes on you, and while it can feel daunting there's no better opportunity to seize your moment. Plus, no matter what the naysayers have to say you've gotten the nod of approval from some big hitters. Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, T.I., and Usher to name just a few. And I'm less than qualified to give out hip hop accolades, but from the co-signs you've collected, I'd say you're this generation's rap princess."

The audience went into an uproar of cheers at the statement, prompting a bashful Naomi to offer a tongue-in-cheek smile and nod. "Well, I mean.." She cut herself off to quietly clap with her index and thumbs, treading carefully with her response. "Thank you so much. The girls as a whole are killin' it like you said. I do call myself the biggest, but I feel like I have to disclaim I'm not in competition with anyone. People always try to pit us girls against each other — I almost lost a close friend over some drama made up by some bored bitc— bored people on the internet. It's played out. Besides, I'm gunning for queen anyway." She burst into a small fit of laughter and lazily tossed a honey blonde strand over her shoulder. "No, but it feels so good to have so many people I came up admiring give me so much praise. I really want to put on for my city, so feeling like I'm doing that is very rewarding."

JH: "When you say a close friend, is it the same close friend you brought on as a special guest on the first night of your tour?"

The faintest red tint painted her soft cheeks and she could only offer a bashful smile as she was reminded of the squabble between she and Chanel. A delicate hand comes up to caress away the subtle anxiety she felt about the entire situation. "Yeah, it is. I've said it before but I do what I can to not let the industry or social media get between me and what's important to me. And my friends are very important to me. There's way too many people already praying on my downfall, I don't need another enemy."

JH: "A word. Friendly competition is one thing, but it can quickly become something else entirely when outsiders are weighing in. Speaking of enemies, I heard that a police report was filed just a few weeks ago regarding some stolen belongings... if you're at liberty to speak on it, I know the case has since been closed, what happened?"

In the same instant that Jennifer mentioned the robbery her plump lips upturned into a saccharine smile as she remembered how the perpetrator was dealt with. Two nights in Miami, scalding hot water and a couple of bullets did wonders in retrieving what the police were trying to only give her half of. She coyly shook her head, kissing her teeth while she feigned indifference. "Just a couple petty thieves. We found them and... well, I got everything back. It was hell for the three shows following, but my beloved stylist was able to make things work and we sourced sound equipment at the venues. Now I see why my manager was requesting round-the-clock security. It was a huuuuge learning moment for me. But I'm confident that nothing like that will ever happen again."

JH: "I hope not! I'm glad you got your things back; it could've been much worse. On a more positive note, among the many achievements you've made this year is your first Grammy nomination for the lead single of your album, Big Mama. And it's so different from the sound the public probably expected from you. What was your biggest takeaway from the success of that song?"

"That nobody knows your vision like you. I started recording and playing around with the song over a year ago. I got negative feedback from the label. It went triple platinum wit' me and my friends once it was finished, though. So I released it. And the response was... mixed. I obviously loved it, and I was so excited to put it out and so many of my fanpages were raving over it. But of course you got the doubters, asking why I'm singing and saying I can't. Well, this rap-singer secured a Grammy nomination with that song, so all in all it taught me that you really have to trust in yourself wit' this rap stuff. Authenticity sells. I've began to grow into having my own brand and being recognized for it. So it's mostly just believing that I know what I'm talking about and I know what's best for my sound and my music."

JH: "That beautiful. It's hard to trust yourself even in private settings, so when it feels like the whole world is weighing in you almost get lost in the noise. I understand that struggle. But you said you've been coming into your own; building a personal brand and style that's distinct. We got to see a little bit of it on tour with those hot outfits! Will we be seeing more of that style? People were coming to your tour dates in outfits inspired by things you've worn — rap star, singer, and fashionista. You're a triple threat!"

Her laughter rang out this time and Spice put her hand up in subtle protest, shaking her head. "Woahhhh! I wouldn't call myself no fashionista. Don't get me dragged, Jen. The real fashion girls don't play. I already got grilled for attending Paris Fashion Week — who the hell can name 50 designers off the top of their head?" She put her hands up in a questioning manner before shaking her head with another soft musing of a smile. "I'm a rapper, just that. I wear clothes I think are cute — definitely took inspiration from Southern aesthetics and the y2k era and made it my own. I have taken an interest in high fashion though, and I had the best time playing dress-up every night on tour."

JH: "My assistant was just showing me some of the looks earlier — I can't wait to see more of them, and you! Before your performance I have to ask, what's your next plan?"

"That's easy," She started without even mulling over an answer. "After tour, I have a few international bookings coming up. And sooooomething super special coming out soon. I'll probably take the smallest break for the holidays." Even as she said it, the rapper didn't believe herself. She'd often mantra'd her father's favorite saying to herself when she felt she needed a break: "You can rest when you're dead." And even with the weight of what tour put her through heavy on her, she didn't want to risk losing the momentum—and the attention that came alongside it. She'd save that for her journal, though. "But then it's back to business as soon as the new year kicks off. This only my first album. I got so much more to show, so I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of me in the coming months."

[offthrack]

Incident Report No.: THX-23874KQ

Date/Time of Report: November 18, 2024, 10:03 AM

Date/Time of First Response: November 17, 2024, 5:24 AM

Reporting Party: Tour Manager on behalf of Naomi Hyatt

Location of Incident: Parking lot across from Kamp Houston nightclub—6025 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057

Date/Time of Incident: Approx. 1:15 AM - 3:13 AM on November 17, 2024

Summary of events:

At approximately 3:13 AM, security personnel for reality TV star and rap artist Naomi Hyatt escorted her to her tour bus following a celebratory outing marking the midpoint of the aforementioned party’s headlining tour. Upon approaching the vehicle, Naomi noticed the bus’s luggage compartment had been accessed and multiple items were missing, including:

Tour Costumes: $35,000 worth of performance attire—much of it pulled from vintage archives—for Naomi and her opener Emerie

Sound Equipment: A sound bar, two amplifiers and multiple turntables valued at $94,000

VIP Merchandise: VIP patron lanyards, signed posters, exclusive apparel Estimated at $61,000

Personal Belongings: Items stolen include a collection of custom Hermes Kelly bags, a fully stocked vintage jewelry box, at least one suitcase from all performers and other personal effects (value to be confirmed)

The total estimated value of stolen items exceeds $250,000.

Security footage from the bus’s overhead camera captured three male suspects dressed in ski masks and coverall black suits breaking into the bus and luggage compartment at 2:27 AM. There didn’t seem to be a struggle to access, and one suspect input what authorities infer to be a PIN code into the compartment door’s digital lock. A black Sprinter van with painted plates pulled into frame and the three men hoisted two containers alongside many loose items and smaller boxes into the back, with one male screaming out in pain and being silenced by his peers, before fleeing the scene. When asked if the PIN was shared outside of the bus’s inhabitants and necessary personnel, all parties denied sharing.

A fresh blood stain left on the side of the vehicle was sent to the crime labs to be examined and identified as belonging to DeMarcus Taylor, a known associate of Angelo “Suge” Walker, Naomi’s ex-boyfriend. Taylor has a history of run-ins with the law, including two arrests for breaking and entering in connection to Walker just five years prior.

Between 4:03 and 4:15 AM, Hyatt received six phone calls from an untraceable number; before answering on the sixth attempt, she used Emerie’s cellphone to record the phone call. The caller was identified as Walker by the reporting party, on the record saying: “You should’ve expected me to come collect after everything you took from me.” This and other remarks suggest possible retaliation as a motive for the theft.

Emerie, Naomi’s opener, made a statement on-site to press that had shown up when the tour bus was spotted overnight: “I worked so closely with my stylist on these looks, and to have them stolen feels like such a violation. It’s not just the clothes; there were sentimental and valuable items in my luggage that I can’t replace.”

—

Notes and Observations:

Witnesses: No independent witnesses have been identified

Evidence collected: Security footage, a blood sample from the vehicle, and Naomi’s testimony regarding the phone calls.

Urgency: The stolen costumes and sound equipment are critical for the continuation of Naomi’s tour.

—

Action Taken:

This report serves as the secondary documentation for the incident, as officers responded to the initial report in the early hours of November 17, 2024. Naomi initially advised against notifying law enforcement, preferring to address the matter internally. However, her team insisted on filing an insurance claim. Further investigation and law enforcement involved may be required to recover the stolen items and determine the full extent of Walker and Taylor’s involvement, as well as identify the rest of the suspects.

Prepared by: Julian Concord, Incident Coordinator

Authorized by: Briella Newman, Tour Manager for Naomi Hyatt

[offthrack]

𝕾𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑟 𝕳𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦 𝕴𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝕿𝑒𝑎 Tour - NIGHT ONE

As the overhead lights in the Yuengling Center sunset, leaving but a single shining halo center stage, Naomi was petrified. The first show of her first headlining tour, and of course, the woman finds herself back in Florida. It's not the oxymoronic overindulgence of Ocean Drive's opulent storefronts and rampant beach bum population, but she'd spent enough time in the city of Tampa to feel just as at home. The crowd buzzed in the darkness, and she could hear the rumble of their anticipation seeping in like a slow-building thunderstorm. She swore she could feel their excitement tingling through the air, lacing its way through the adrenaline pumping in her veins, making her fingertips hum.

The opening choral sequence to Georgia Peach chimed and suddenly the cup lights at the edge of the stage blazed a fiery orange hue, smoke spraying out amongst the crowd as the beat came in and the rapper could be heard offstage. "Georgia Peach, put me somewhere on a gorgeous beach. But I'm right here in the hood—but I'm right here in the hood. Posted wit' niggas that's up to no good." And when she emerged from behind the curtain, fully dripped out in custom 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑎, the deafening cheers almost brought her to tears. She bopped her head along as the audience screamed the lyrics back at her, unable to conceal the smile painted on her softly glammed visage as she stared out into the sea of faces. The stage's screens flashed clips from the song's iconic music video, including outtakes and polaroids from the set.

"I'm with the boys in the hood right now, I'm feelin' like—" She put the crowd to the microphone, using a free hand to dare them to get louder. "Lookin' like—" Reaching a hand up to her breastbone at the mention of Jessica Rabbit, she seamlessly continued her flow, carrying her through the next two verses with a fervor she'd never put forth before. There was something to prove—since becoming independent she needed to show the world, but mostly herself, that she could still make it. Watching her own fans singing along to the crowd was more than cathartic, it was the proof she'd been searching for.

As the track began to fade, with Naomi posing amidst her dancers as they formed around her, a large peach flashed across the screen reading "Sugar Honey Iced Tea Tour" and the starlet raised her hand gleefully to wave and blow kisses to the growing applause.

The memory of dirt roads and the sweet scent of peaches lingered in her mind as she paced the stage, like ghosts she'd invited in for a celebration. Naomi felt her younger self right there with her, holding her breath just as she had when she used to daydream about these very moments, and she could almost feel the red clay dust still clinging to her shoes. She rapped as if there was a whole choir of her past selves backing her up—each one with more grit and fire than the last. By the time the track began to fade, she struck a pose amidst her dancers, who gathered around her like a living sculpture. A giant peach flashed across the screen, emblazoned with "Sugar Honey Iced Tea Tour," and Naomi raised her hand gleefully to wave and blow kisses to the applause.

"Waddup, Tampa, Florida!!! I feel right at home. Welcome to the Sugar Honey Iced Tea Tour! We gon' have some fun tonight, okay? I'm finna take y'all drivin' through Atlanta—through my life with me tonight, if that's okay," she drawled with a playful flick of her wrist, the Southern lilt adding a honeyed warmth to her words. The lights dimmed briefly, and the crowd's roar swelled again as they anticipated the next song. Naomi's heart raced, but it was no longer from nerves—it was from the exhilaration coursing through her, carrying her like a wave as she navigated through the next few songs in her setlist, There She Go & Blick Sum, with the same impassioned flow. It wasn't until the intro to No Hook that her stomach sank.

"I got money and my own family started actin' funny. I don't trust nobody, keep it on me. I swear they always told me that the top would be lonely. Two year relationship, that nigga really owe me." As the bassline pounded in sync with her heartbeat, Naomi prowled across the stage, her voice dropping to a grittier tone that made each word land heavy in the air. The song's raw energy matched the pulse of her memories—the tough nights when sleep was a luxury and hunger a constant companion. The lyrics tore from her throat with a rasp as she delivered each bar like it was a testament to every setback she’d ever endured as she reminisced on her past relationship with Suge. She felt every glance exchanged in the shadows of smoky clubs, every side-eye at the studio, every declaration that she would be shelved with all the other "burnout rap girls" all rolled into a singular momentum driving her forward now. "Dropped ten bands to beat a case that I ain't do; how the fuck they book me for some shit wit' no proof?" The crowd's chant grew louder with every line, matching her intensity beat for beat, like they could feel that fight bubbling up inside her as she entered the second verse.

She could see faces contorted in shared defiance, feel the urgency in the way bodies moved in the pit, and it was like she was laying every demon bare under the strobe lights. As the second verse hit, Naomi threw her hands up and let herself sink into the beat, her braids swinging like the wild arc of a pendulum. The crowd sang along with her, the sheer volume of their voices enough to make her skin prickle. It was as if the universe had folded in on itself, bringing her back to those times when "No Hook" was just a jumble of phrases on a scrap of paper—back before the triumphs, the tears, and the heartbreaks. She wasn’t just performing; she was purging, spilling her truths into every syllable until she could breathe a little easier. "Work hard and pray harder, bitch, that's all I know."

"How y'all feelin'? 'Cause you look damn good singing my shit back to me. You know, i been doubted my whole career; even now, I deal with people tellin' me what's not gonna sell and who I should be brown-nosing to get somewhere. But luckily, it ain't the muhfuckers that sign my checks anymore. What can I say, though? Guess that's the price to pay for bein' so young and so damn rich." The midsection of the setlist brought the energy to a fever pitch as Naomi tore through the gritty anthems Youngest N Richest and Settle Down, her voice dripping with a blend of swagger and defiance. The stage visuals shifted to bold graphics of neon lights and luxury cityscapes, echoing the themes of ambition and hustle in her lyrics. With Housekeeping Knows, the vibe turned playful, and Naomi's quick-witted bars had the crowd laughing along as she spun clever lines about wealth and indulgence. As Back Outside kicked in, firing off her verse as the pyrotechnics on the stage sounded off, spraying sparklers into the air. A subtle shift began to take place; the beat softened, and Naomi's delivery became more reflective. She paced slowly across the stage, her tone changing from boastful to something deeper as she addressed a life that wasn’t always this glamorous. It was the perfect transition, signaling that the set was moving from street anthems into a more intimate space with Liquor, Look What You Did—which she performed with her opener Emerie— & Prized Possession.

When Muwop dropped, the crowd erupted as Naomi reminded them of the song that really put her on the map. The booming basslines and Gucci Mane’s recorded verse filled the arena, creating a palpable sense of nostalgia. Her mind wandered to those nights in the Miami studio, when the air was thick with heat and uncertainty. She remembered pouring everything into this track, not knowing that the rollout budget was quietly bleeding out behind the scenes. Back then, it was just her and the mic, rapping like her life depended on it because, in many ways, it did. The memory of that desperation fueled her performance, each word hitting harder as if to say she was reclaiming every dollar and every missed opportunity. As the song reached its climax, Naomi raised her mic high and let the audience scream the chorus back at her, their voices blending into a singular roar that reverberated through the arena.

The transition into Copper Cove felt like a sigh after the storm. The dreamy beat washed over the arena, and Naomi let her voice slip into a sultry croon, the rough edges smoothing out as she moved with a languid grace. She thought of warm nights spent with nothing but the sound of the ocean (and her then-lover) to keep her company—how that place always felt like the border between what was and what could be. As she sang, her words painted a picture of moonlit secrets and salt-laden breezes, a whispered longing for something just out of reach. Her hips swayed to the beat as if she were back on those sugar-soft sands, and for a moment, it felt like the whole arena had been transported to that hidden cove with her.

When the unmistakable beat of B*tch From Da Souf - Remix dropped, the crowd went wild, recognizing the debut single that had catapulted Naomi into the spotlight. She strutted across the stage with fierce confidence, spitting the opening lines with the same raw grit that had always been her signature. The lyrics spilled out like fire, every word delivered with the unapologetic attitude that defined her rise. The arena echoed with the chants of thousands of voices, hyped and hungry for the verse-by-verse aggression that had put Naomi on the map. As the stage lights flared in rhythmic bursts, she could feel the energy surging from the pit to the nosebleeds, buzzing with anticipation. Then, right as she hit the second verse, the music cut for a brief, breathless moment—and the air seemed to crackle with expectation.

Suddenly, Saweetie burst onto the stage, her voice slicing through the sudden silence as she jumped right into her verse. The crowd erupted into chaos, their screams blending into an uproar that echoed through the arena. It wasn’t just the surprise of seeing Saweetie perform live; it was the fact that no one had seen the two women together since rumors of their beef began circulating over a month ago. The falling out had been public and messy, especially since they'd once been so close—practically inseparable both on and off stage. Their friendship had seemed unbreakable, which made the whispers of tension all the more shocking. But now, here they were, side by side once more, spitting bars like they hadn’t skipped a beat. The crowd could barely contain themselves, phones shooting up in unison to capture the moment that had seemed impossible just hours ago.

Naomi's grin stretched wide as she hyped Saweetie up, bouncing in rhythm while the two played off each other’s energy, rapping along her lines like no bad blood had ever existed. It felt like a release—not just for the rappers, but for the fans caught up in the drama. As they hit the final bars, the tension in the room seemed to dissolve into pure euphoria, replaced by a tidal wave of applause that nearly drowned out the music. The two rappers finished the last line together, their voices rising in a triumphant harmony, before turning to face each other. Naomi gave Saweetie a playful shove, then pulled her into a tight hug, sealing the moment with a high-five that sent the crowd into yet another uproar. It wasn’t just a performance; it was a statement—a bold declaration that their bond was stronger than any rumor or riff, and the hit that had started it all was still as powerful as ever. "Everybody put yo' fucking hands together for the beautiful, talented, amazing Saweetie! My girl forever, with or without the industry bullshit. You deserve yo' flowers just as much as any bitch spittin'. Thank you for coming out tonight." She spoke praises of her close friend before they shared yet another hug, giving her an individual round of applause. "One more for my girl!" The crowd was eating up every second of the rekindling, reaching decibels of sound that would surely make her eardrums bleed if she didn't have her headset in.

As the show reached its final stretch, the energy soared higher with each passing beat. Brokey, the lead single off Naomi’s latest album, turned the arena into a raucous party. The newly released music video had already made waves, and the live performance brought the visuals to life with bursts of neon lights and sharp, synchronized dance moves that had the crowd roaring in approval. Naomi commanded the stage, rapping with a fire that seemed to burn brighter the longer the night went on, feeding off the crowd's unyielding energy. There was a defiance in her eyes as she spat each lyric, every line a reminder of the grind that took her from the Atlanta streets to a headlining tour. She reveled in the chaos, the bass rattling the floor beneath her feet like a pulse.

The momentum carried into Sunday Service, a track that transformed the space into something almost reverential. Naomi's verses hit like a preacher's sermon, and the crowd responded with fervor, hands raised as if seeking a blessing. It was a seamless transition into Chicken Grease, the bonus track that had become a sleeper hit. The fans loved it, and their enthusiasm was undeniable as they belted out the chorus alongside Naomi, who leaned into the mic with a sly grin. The song's playful beat bounced throughout the venue, and the atmosphere felt less like a concert and more like a block party. By the time she launched into Put It On Da Floor, the crowd was ready to explode. The track, born from a long-squashed beef with a Love & Hip Hop star, served as both a victory lap and a reminder that she didn’t shy away from confrontation. Naomi didn't just perform; she threw every jab with a swagger that showed she had long since left the drama in the dust, the past now nothing more than fuel for her art.

As the electric haze of Put It On Da Floor faded away, the stage lights dimmed, and the tone shifted as Naomi stepped to the edge of the stage. The crowd buzzed in anticipation as the slow, soulful intro of Big Mama began to play. The first half of the track showcased Naomi's versatility, her voice weaving smoothly over the rich melody, rapping about the complexities of balancing ambition with her roots. The beat gradually intensified, and with it, her delivery sharpened into something bold and unrelenting. By the time the second half kicked in, Naomi was back in full throttle, her verses hitting hard as the bass thumped through the speakers. She prowled the stage with a fierce determination, spitting rapid-fire lines that had the crowd on their feet, the atmosphere charged with a renewed sense of urgency. It was a declaration of strength and a reminder that she was never one to be underestimated, carrying the energy forward as the night drew toward its powerful conclusion.

The final song, S/O to Me, brought the night to a triumphant close. The beat swelled, and Naomi’s voice rose with it, her verses cutting through the air with pride and gratitude. This wasn’t just a shoutout to herself, but to everyone who’d doubted her, every struggle she’d overcome, and every win she’d fought for. Her lyrics served as a victory anthem, reflecting on her growth and the lessons learned along the way. With every line, she poured her heart into the mic, and the fans felt it, chanting the chorus back at her with the same pride. As the final notes played out, Naomi stood at center stage, arms stretched wide as if to embrace the crowd one last time. The cheers swelled into a roar, and she took a deep breath, letting the magnitude of the night wash over her. It was more than a performance; it was a show of everything she had become—and a promise of everything yet to come. "I'on play about us, I do this for me and everything that I was, nigga. This shoutout for me,—" she allowed the crowd to sing the final line back to her, nodding both to them and herself as gratitude washed over her.

"Thank y'all for coming out tonight! This has been the best first show I could'a ever imagined. Tampa, you'll always be famous. . . Goodnight!"

As the final notes of S/O to Me echoed through the arena, Naomi took a moment to soak in the applause, her chest heaving from the adrenaline and emotion of the night. She offered one last wave, then turned and disappeared behind the stage curtain. But the fans weren’t ready to let her go. Almost immediately, a chant began to rise from the crowd, low at first, then swelling louder and louder: "Spice! Spice! Spice!" It was Naomi's nickname, the one her fans had coined for her fiery spirit and bold style. The chants reverberated through the venue, growing more intense with each passing second, until they were an undeniable demand.

From backstage, Naomi could hear the roar calling her back, and a sly smile spread across her lips. She wasn’t about to leave them hanging. With a quick nod to her team, and an outfit change, she grabbed her mic and headed back out. The stage lights flickered to life once more as she emerged to a deafening cheer, the crowd's excitement vibrating through the air. "I guess y’all ain’t ready to go home yet, huh?" she teased, her voice amplified over the rumbling cheers. The beat for H&M began to roll out, a hauntingly familiar rhythm that resonated with every person in the room. As she dove into the lyrics, she locked eyes with the front row, delivering the first verse with palpable intensity. “I don’t fight for shit that’s mine,” she declared, her voice slicing through the energy of the crowd. “Only whinin’ if I’m dinin’!”

The audience roared back, fully in sync with her unfiltered confidence. As the beat thumped, Naomi leaned into her next verse, full blazes firing up from the pyros as she stomped out each bar. “Like, bitch, I let you keep your nigga, what else do you want from me?” The crowd erupted, feeling the playful shade and the camaraderie between artist and fans as they all did her signature What the fuck? adlib. The air was electric as she rapped with a ferocity that left no room for doubt—this was her moment, and she was owning it. By the final chorus, Naomi’s voice soared over the swelling beat, wrapping the crowd in one last powerful moment of connection. As the song drew to a close, she held the mic out towards the audience, letting their voices carry the final lines. Naomi gave one last triumphant wave, blowing kisses and thanking the crowd as she stepped back into the shadows. The lights faded, and the arena buzzed with the echo of cheers, leaving a lasting sense of triumph in the air. It was the perfect ending, a night that began with nerves and ended with an electric sense of unity, reminding everyone—especially Naomi—that this journey was only just beginning.

[offthrack]

៶៸ ☆ 𝓼𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 just started a live video !

"what up, y'all? i ain't been on live in 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝒆𝒆𝒆𝐯𝐞𝐫—i missed kickin' it on live for a minute. i really just hopped on this bitch to show off the 𝒅𝑟𝑖𝑝 ׅ⠀ׅ⠀ׅ i'm going to a throwback party toniiiiight. i still gotta pick up my girl's gift 'cause her birthday is coming up, and the traffic is horrible so we can chill a lil' bit. so i'm giving, middle school naomi. back when a bitch used to go by yomi. my nigga called me 𝑦𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦—" [ she catches her words into her manicured hand along with boisterous laughter that vibrates just over the music booming through the vehicle. ] "but that's a whole other story. but mmmmyeah, got the 𝒈𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒊 canvas on my head ׅ⠀ׅ⠀ׅ a natural beat—get intoooo it." [ her makeup was barely there, just a touch of mascara and a natural glow that emanated off her cheeks. candy gloss form tarte sticks to her full set as she parted her lips, her brows looking fresh and soft against the phone light. ]

"done by me, obviously. got a lil graphic tee made with my old facebook user on the back. 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, you feel me?" [ 𝒏𝑎𝑜𝑚𝑖 shifted in the passenger seat, arching her back just enough to bring the pink-trimmed pocket of her true religion jeans into view. the signature horseshoe stitch hugged her curves, the blush-colored accents catching the light with each subtle move. she adjusted her hips, one hand brushing back her hair while the other draped over the headrest, as if the pose had just fallen into place. ] "know i got the trues on. and fresh kicksssss."

true need to sponsor yo—i keep sayin' that! it's a staple in my wardrobe for real. they gotta get on the spice train⠀ׅ⠀ׅ⠀ׅ don't y'all see my album selling? don't y'all see i got six sold out sh—" [ she emits more boisterous laughter while covering her mouth, slightly shaking her head back and forth. ] "no, but really, true religion, if you watchin'—sponsor a bad bitch, okay. i promise i got motion." [ a sly smile curved on her lips as she gave one last little shift, making sure the stitching stood out before finally easing back into her seat. with a smooth roll of her shoulders, she settled in and allowed her smile to widen fully as she continued to read. ] "get it sexyy, get it sexyy, we outsiiiide girl! pullin' up in a minute,"

hazel irises widened as she stared directly into the camera, her expression a perfect blend of exaggerated shock and mock offense reading the next comment. "but do you get radio play tho?" with a slow shake of her head, she placed a hand over her chest in feigned disbelief, then tilted her head to the side like she was genuinely trying to comprehend the audacity. "hatin' hoes gone always act like they ain't heard me on the radio. ight. . .i'on make music for radio, i make music for real bitches. stamp that! and if it gets bumped on 96.1?? that's cool too, shoutout PK! ⠀ׅ⠀ׅ⠀ׅ y'all know i don't argue—fuck that, i don't even disagree wit' bitches on the net because it's pointless. but i ain't the bitch to be scurrying behind a viral sound or a retail jingle. when the music's good, it sell. and it keep selling, which is more than a lot of artists can say. but to answer your question—𝑦𝑒𝑠, i get radio play." after she spoke her piece, 𝒏𝑎𝑜𝑚𝑖 let out a dramatic eye roll, her lashes sweeping down like a curtain call, then shot the camera a sideways glance dripping with attitude.

as she kept dancing in her seat, the beat of "up all night" by drake pulsed through the car, naomi rapping every lyric carelessly as she was getting herself in the mood of reminiscing. her middle finger shot up toward the camera and she stuck her tongue out, letting out a genuine laugh at the random hate comments sprinkled in. "gucci on my body-ody-odyyy, and this shit real as that receding hairline, baby!" [blowing a kiss to the camera while laughing] "why y'all bein' mean to me before i go to a party? the internet like a nigga that hate you but won't leave yo ass alone, man. that shit is crazy⠀ׅ⠀ׅ⠀ׅ "

"oh my god, i am so excited for toooour. it's crazy by itself seein' people fuck with my music—getting to perform my songs? hearing everybody singin' back to me? it was one thing to get the money and the plan together to go on tour; i been talking to vendors and sponsors for nearly a yearׅ⠀ׅ⠀ׅ i seriously thank God for my team everyday. we small but mighty as hell! i'ma really make it special for y'all. it's my first headlining tour, so. what songs are y'all excited to hear?"

[ naomi's eyes flickered down to the flood of comments, each one scrolling by with a different song title from sugar honey iced tea. her lips curled into a thoughtful smile as she watched the anticipation build, each suggestion sparking a memory of the late-night studio sessions and the stories behind the lyrics. she tapped her chin lightly, letting the possibilities play out in her mind—there were the fan favorites, the ones she knew would hit hard live, and then the deeper cuts that held a special place in her heart. as her gaze drifted back up, she felt a spark of excitement settle in; there were definitely a few tracks she couldn’t wait to see the world react to on a live stage. ]

"me personally? georgia peach never gone get old. that crowd—last night's crooooooowd? that shit hit different. so that one gone prolly be my favorite at every stop. uhhhh, one y'all ain't seen me do yet? H&M, it's even better live for real. it ain't one of my least favorites on the album, but it bumped up a few spots after i soundchecked it and we ran through the stage and all'at. i had to change the set around so many times to really give y'all a show, but i'm finally happy with it." [ self-satisfied as she reclined into the seat, the rapstress waved off her many onlookers as she willed herself not to get emotional at how far she'd come. ]

[ bringing the camera back up close, she shot up a peace sign and flashed a few silly expressions reminiscent of the 2010 era before laughing at herself. ] "i hate giving good people bad news, but y'all got a bitch talm 'bout work. i'm outside! i'll post outfit pics later. this was fun, bye!" [ she blew a kiss to the camera, her lips forming a playful pout as her fingertips brushed away, sending that last bit of love through the screen. with a quick wink, she reached up to end the live, her smile lingering for a second longer as the screen faded out. ]

[offthrack]

𝐓𝐌𝐙 — 𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗡'𝗧 𝗦.𝗛.𝗜.𝗧. 𝗦𝗔𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘'𝗦 𝗣𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗦 𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗬

10/11/2024 6:05PM PDT BY 𝐓𝐌𝐙 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐅𝐅

I guess rap beef doesn't take any days off—even your birthday, Spice quickly figured out at her 24th birthday celebration in Vegas last night.

Longtime friend turned recent rival 𝐒𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐞 showed up to the scene uninvited, an insider told TMZ. "She came waaay late, but she was on theme, so nobody batted an eye. The birthday girl seemed out of it, but everybody was smashed so we were all kinda out of it." The attendee recounts.

The two shared a catty interaction that resulted in both parties doused in alcohol by the other's drink. Sources say 𝕾𝖕𝖎𝖈𝖊, who was noticeably intoxicated, accused Saweetie of using her for ratings on her new show, to which the older female MC dismissed, blaming their fallout on her recent behavior in the media and following comments. Allegedly, the situation would have escalated without the intervention of Spice's security. All in all, it seems they couldn't come to a resolve.

The Icy Life premieres on Hulu on Monday—comment below what you're expecting from the first episode. Or tell us what you think of this unfriendly feud.

[offthrack]

𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐙 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄.

𝑠𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑓𝑡ℎ ; 07:51 pm

[ a lightly tipsy 𝐧𝐚𝐨𝐦𝐢 enters the set, still riding the high of her album release, a 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 no. 1 placement on Apple Music & Spotify's hip hop charts, and her successful release party. as the host's signal the start of recording, the tune of 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙮 infiltrates her ears and compels the artist to break into performance while taking her seat, continuing her dancing while she's being introduced. ]

tonight we got big mama in the building, everybody welcome 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄! we saw her on 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒉𝒐𝒑, she got our attention with Soufside and now she's on fire after releasing her first studio album 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚—'cause she is the 𝑺͟𝑯͟𝑰͟𝑻͟. thank you so much for comin' out, we been waiting on this one!

"huh? huh? when a real one hold you down, bae you supposed to drown—ayeeee, that went over a lotta nigga's heads, for real! definitely happy to be here, thank you for having me. i been busy as hell, doin' interview after interview since before the record even dropped. it's been a wild ride; a fun one, fasho. there's definitely been a few bumps in the road here and there, but yeah. since i dropped it, i been tryna focus on having a good time with my loved ones and just. . .goin' up! you know, this album is a culmination of my real life shit over the last two years. it's only right that now everybody has it, i can finally rest. Right after this interview a bitch packin' for jamaica. then i got invited to a couple of paris fashion week shows—just got a lot of shit lined up now that the 𝑏𝑖𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡 thing is done, which was putting out a piece of work I'm proud of."

and you should be proud of it. it definitely blew us out of the water—props to you for sure. bumps in the road are to be expected, though. you pushing boundaries for the genre in a way. female rap is evolving in a way we never thought it could, and you apart of that in a special way. and the cool thing is it seem like y'all are friends. you ever feel the heat of the competition from other rappers? you got a top five out right now that's really doing their thing?

"i mean. . .𝑛𝑜 .ᐣ" [her laughter comes out instinctively at the question, shaking her head.] "nah. rap is a game and i'ma play it well; they my girls at the end of the day, but if anybody wanna lean up and compete i ain't never shy away from it. i only really smoke gas but i'll smoke a bitch out behind my respect. now of course i got my favorites. but i'on know, it's soo many rap girls killin' shit right now. so top 5 is hard. i'ma say monaleo, cardi. . .𝑑𝑎𝑚𝑛, i'm not tryna be stereotypical, but meg, glo and kaliii. just based off my playlist."

you and saweetie stay posted up together on socials, so i definitely thought she might be in your top—

"woah, hold on hold on hold on hold on. let's get sum' right—i loooove saweetie! that's my girl in real life, fasho. but from a music perspective, i wouldn't say my top 5. but she cold. next question."

confidence is definitely key. it's good to see you got that on lock! and that's a solid top five. it's cool to see women empowerment in an industry thriving off conflict.

"for me, confidence is a non-negotiable. i done seen how insecurity can fuck you up and have you diminishing yourself when you really got it. obviously, i'ma be humble because i know what it's like to be without and be hungry for the game, for a piece of the game. but i'm just at the point where my life is so lit that i don't give a fuck what nobody got to say about me, it's nothing i haven't heard before. i got the house i want, the cars i want. . . the nigga i want. like i don't give a fuck! you either with me or you don't exist."

okay, okay. you not throwin' shots right now, but online they been posting your lyrics and puttin' names on them bullets. are there other rappers you didn't name that you might have a couple shots reserved for?

"the internet gon' talk no matter what was said. i let 'em 'cus to me that mean i'm part of the conversation. shit, i am the conversation. i'm on your mind and money on mine. we ain't the same, type shit. i talk my shit in my rap because. . .that's real shit i go through. nobody went into the studio wit' a vein poppin' out they head thinking this really gon' get that one hoe mad. now, i can't say the same for my assumed 'opps'. at the end of the day if you felt hit, if that shit applied? then so be it. but a bitch ain't gon' touch me so i'ma keep popping my shit. that simple. bitches be too worried about the comments nowadays, wanna be an internet warrior. put that shit in a song, dead it."

when you say you're gonna keep poppin' shit, does that mean we can expect any new music? i mean i know the album is still hot on the streets, but on the low—you got some surprises? we saw your tweet about gettin' in the booth with jimmy brooks, that got the people talking.

"definitely full of surprises. i got way more songs that ain't make the project—unfinished shit that only my dog has heard. been in talks of filming a couple music videos for the project. you know, it's a lot of cool shit coming. and as far as 𝒎𝒓. 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔,. . . y'all not the only ones that got excited off that. my manager phone been ringing off the hook—been getting called for features left and right! it's crazy how one association 'a do that. but you know, me and my girls also have some real cool shit comin' up. can't speak on it just yet, but it's gone be a movie for sure."

[offthrack]

[offthrack]

[offthrack]

Pamela Anderson by David LaChapelle (2001)

[offthrack]

[offthrack]

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐑 ; 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⦉ 𝑆𝐸𝑃𝑇. 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 ⦊  ⸻ 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐅͟𝐑͟𝐔𝐈𝐓

after quickly disrobing from the 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐀𝐆-𝒆sque photoshoot they'd just finished and getting into more comfortable attire, 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 takes the spacious beige cloud couch and adjusts her posture nervously. her debut interview as ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓, without the looming influence of 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐞'𝐬 input—both adrenaline and nerves rattle against her ribcage when she remembers every interview she declined to save face. since returning to the A', she's been striving to disprove the narrative that her stint in miami was in a vain attempt at love.

welcome, spice! glad you could make time to be here with us, i know you're busy promoting your upcoming album. congratulations on going independent as well! how has that changed your work ethic and perspective on the rap game? i'm sure things are different when a label's backing you.

❝ 𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 .ᐟ always happy to be here. and thank you! it's definitely a long time coming. ❞ [ squared french tips slowly comb through her long amber tresses, quietly sighing as she thought over her next response for a moment. her smile is more nervous than genuine, but the dancing diamonds in her mouth more than made up for it. ] ❝ yes, i'm newly independent. . . but shit ain't really 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆, you know? i was doing 19, 𝟐𝟎 hour days in miami where i'm at the club, then in the studio, then sourcing clothes, glam, hairstylists all on my 𝑜𝑤𝑛 for a photoshoot that would only see IG. . . definitely no stranger to building a brand from the ground up, but now i don't got a hater in my ear tellin' me everything i'm doing is wrong. 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕, i been doing stuff so right, that i got a new, even hotter endorser. so it's all good. ❞

good to know you're feeling good. the race to the debut album dropping is usually one of the most stressful periods for an artist, but you seem to be handling it well. kudos to you! so you didn't feel supported by your label? by rick ross or your ex-boyfriend and producer 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐞. . . did you prolong your stay in miami to save your relationship?

❝ first off, the plan was 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 to come back to atlanta. i got offered a deal at 19. . . by miami 𝑟𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑦 at that! i wouldn'ta forgave myself if i ain't go. but my heart stayed here, in 𝐌͟𝐚͟𝐠͟𝐢͟𝐜͟ ͟𝐂͟𝐢͟𝐭͟𝐲͟ . i think the common misconception is i moved over 600 miles away for some 𝑑*𝑐𝑘. i went to miami on a mission, wasn't no time for breaks when i had just gotten the opportunity of a lifetime. bartending was the only thing payin' my bills, for real. the music was a passion project. ❞ [ there's a bit of consideration to give a less-than-authentic answer, but upon remembering the 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 wasted on jewelry, cars, and ℎ𝑜𝑒𝑠 she didn't really feel like hiding her animosity. ] ❝ and you know, 𝑹𝒊𝒄𝒌 was real as hell through it all. he was the one who connected me with 𝐆𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐢 and a bunch of other cool ass people that made my time in the city worthwhile. when shit hit the fan, though. . . yeah. you know, business. i stayed in miami to invest in my 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑟. would'a been packed it back to atlanta had i known i was throwing money into a 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞. ❞

and we're assuming this black hole to be...

❝ it could be 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. ain't that the beauty of it? and it was. . . a 𝐥𝐨𝐭 of things that i felt like were taking way more than they was giving. we're spending bank on features that don't break top 20 and 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒔 that i'm still countin' pennies off of. i was goin' to bed late, wakin' up way too early. shit was blending together and in the midst of all of that, i was being lied to about . . . 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑦 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. ❞ [ blinking faster she swallows the lump threatening to form in her throat. she doesn't want to be choked up about this—despite being long over her ex-boyfriend, looking back on the deception she felt more dumb than anything. a quiet huff of ice cold air is released before she continues. ] ❝ my manager. . . producer. . . ex-boyfriend or what-have-you, he ain't see the vision. i'm still not quite sure 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 he saw. a naive girl who wanted this shit more than anything. i was hungry, and he knew that. but that's why this album is so important to me. i done been through a buncha bullshit to get where i am, and i'm comin' out on the other side. it's sum to celebrate. ❞

so i'm guessing no tears were shed on the flight back to atlanta. it's great to see you stepping into this new era. what can we expect from the album, 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐚, right?

❝ yeah, yeah. sugar honey iced tea is obviously an homage to atlanta and honestly the south as a whole. actually, let me start over and say i definitely sobbed on the way to the airport. let me be clear, miami brought me on 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒉𝒐𝒑 where i gave the world a lil taste of 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄. gave me the tools i needed to show off the whole rack and flex my skills, 'cus i wasn't nearly as confident when i went out there. i loved the city, it'll always have a spot in my heart, but i'm a 𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑎 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙, tried and true. that's home. plus, it was a couple bitches i needed to link up with to make sure the album is everything and more. the features on it are 𝑓𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑒. but what can you expect? real, raw emotion. i'm layin' all that shit to rest, from the beefs i had wit' bitches that wasn't making it out the club to heartbreak to falling in love 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑦𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 and my 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 all over again. i can't wait for y'all to hear it. ❞