Iggy Azalea: The Australian Hip-Hop Phenom
Iggy Azalea is an Australian rapper, songwriter, and model who achieved massive global success in the 2010s. Hailing from Mullumbimby, New South Wales, her major label debut album "The New Classic" and its smash single "Fancy" propelled her to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Early career
Born Amethyst Amelia Kelly in 1990, Iggy Azalea moved from Australia to the United States at age sixteen to pursue a career in hip-hop. She gained initial attention through her self-released music videos on YouTube, which led to her first mixtape "Ignorant Art" in 2011 and a record deal with Grand Hustle and Mercury Records.
Breakthrough
Her mainstream breakthrough arrived in 2014 with the release of the single Fancy featuring Charli XCX. The track, from her debut studio album "The New Classic" on Def Jam Recordings, spent seven consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified seven-times platinum by the RIAA. The album itself reached number three on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Key tracks
Fancy — This Grammy-nominated song featuring Charli XCX became a cultural anthem and her first US number-one hit.
Problem — Her collaboration with Ariana Grande peaked at number two on the Hot 100 and earned multi-platinum certifications worldwide.
Black Widow — Featuring Rita Ora, this single from "The New Classic" reached the top ten in multiple countries and has over a billion YouTube views.
Kream — Featuring Tyga, this 2018 single from her album "Survive The Summer" became a streaming hit and her second platinum-certified record.
Sally Walker — This 2019 track served as the lead single for her eventual second studio album, "The End of an Era".
Following her explosive debut era, Iggy Azalea continued to release music and collaborate widely. Her 2019 EP "Wicked Lips" and her long-awaited second studio album, 2021's "The End of an Era", marked her final release with Empire Records. Throughout her career, she has worked with artists like Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, and Zedd, maintaining a consistent presence on dance and pop charts.
Fans of Iggy Azalea's confident flow and pop-rap crossover style might also enjoy Charli XCX for shared electronic pop sensibilities. Bebe Rexha offers a similar blend of pop songwriting with hip-hop influences. Listeners appreciating her bold persona may find parallels in CupcakKe's unfiltered lyrical approach. For another Australian artist with global hip-hop impact, explore The Kid Laroi.
The music of Iggy Azalea maintains a strong rotation on top 40, pop hits, and modern hip-hop radio stations featured on our network. Her catalog of chart-toppers and club-ready anthems is a staple on stations dedicated to the biggest hits of the last decade.
You can hear the hits of Iggy Azalea, from "Fancy" to her latest releases, on a variety of radio stations available right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover why this Australian hip-hop star continues to captivate listeners worldwide.
