Big Guy - from "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants”

Overview
At its core, "Big Guy" is a novelty crossover track that bridges Ice Spice's Bronx drill persona with the whimsical world of SpongeBob SquarePants. The song serves two purposes: it functions as a hype anthem for the movie's protagonist, SpongeBob, who often struggles with being seen as a child rather than a "big guy," and it acts as a self-empowerment track for the artist herself.

The Concept of the "Big Guy"
The recurring phrase "SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay" alludes to the movie's central theme of SpongeBob's quest for maturity and bravery. By repeating this affirmation, Ice Spice acts as a cheerleader, validating SpongeBob's growth. Simultaneously, the term "Big Guy" in hip-hop vernacular can imply status and dominance, allowing Ice Spice to maintain her "baddie" image within a PG-rated context.

Playful Materialism and Status
The lyrics translate typical rap tropes of wealth and desirability into underwater terms. Instead of designer clothes or cars, the status symbols become "fresh pearls out a clam" and avoiding "chum." This recontextualization allows the song to remain family-friendly while keeping the braggadocio essential to the drill genre.

The song opens with Ice Spice’s signature ad-libs, immediately establishing a rhythmic, repetitive hook that centers on the phrase "Big guy" and the peculiar line "SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay." This chorus functions as a chant, seemingly cheering on the film's protagonist while asserting a dominant, catchy rhythm.

In the verses, the narrator describes waking up feeling confident and physically prepared for the day. She employs aquatic imagery to boast about her status, claiming that while she isn't a jellyfish, she is definitely "the catch." She describes pumping her chest with pride, likening her presence to a fish. The lyrics continue with playful similes, comparing her ability to "blow bubbles" (likely a metaphor for her rap flow or influence) to the character Mrs. Puff, a boating school instructor known for inflating when stressed.

The narrative emphasizes success and exclusivity; she insists her position is the result of being "locked in" rather than luck. She contrasts her "fancy" dining habits with "chum" (a reference to the low-quality food serving at the Chum Bucket), symbolizing her high status. The song concludes with a celebration of friendship and fun, reinforcing the upbeat, self-assured vibe that aligns with the movie's adventurous spirit.

Production and Release
"Big Guy" was released on November 14, 2025, as a lead single for the soundtrack of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. The track was produced by RIOTUSA, Ice Spice's long-time collaborator who is responsible for crafting her signature sound. The release was timed to build anticipation for the film's theatrical debut in December 2025.

The Collaboration
Ice Spice's involvement in the franchise extended beyond the soundtrack; she was also cast to voice a character in the film (a ticket-taker fish). In interviews, she described the project as a "full-circle moment," citing her childhood love for the SpongeBob SquarePants series. She noted that the songwriting process involved a specific challenge: she was required to integrate mandatory "SpongeBob-related words" while maintaining her own artistic identity.

Viral Reception
Upon release, the song—and specifically the line "SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay"—became an instant internet meme. The juxtaposition of Ice Spice's serious, deadpan delivery with the silly lyrical content created a viral moment on platforms like TikTok/YouTube Shorts, where users remixed the line or used it to caption absurd situations.

Rhyme Scheme
The song largely follows a simple AABB or AAAA rhyme scheme in the verses to ensure accessibility for a broad audience. For example, she rhymes "best" with "chest" and "stretch." The rhymes are often perfect rhymes, adding to the nursery-rhyme quality of the track.

Rhythmic Structure
The track features a mid-tempo drill beat (typically around 140-145 BPM). Ice Spice's flow is deliberate and spaced out, riding the pocket of the beat with a relaxed precision. The chorus relies on a chant-like rhythm ("Big guy, big guy, big-big guy") that creates a marching cadence, reinforcing the theme of moving forward or parading.

Musical Style: Bubblegum Drill
The song employs the sonic architecture of NYC drill music—skittering hi-hats, sliding 808 basslines, and a syncopated rhythm—but softens the texture for a younger audience. The melody is catchy and repetitive, moving away from the dark, ominous tones usually associated with the genre.

Vocal Delivery
Ice Spice utilizes her trademark "demure" flow—a laid-back, monotone, and almost whispered delivery. This contrasts humorously with the high-energy, chaotic nature of the SpongeBob universe. Her use of ad-libs like "Grrah" is retained but sanitized, serving as a rhythmic punctuation rather than a threat.

Lyrical Structure
The lyrics rely heavily on puns and wordplay related to marine biology (clams, pearls, fish, jellyfish). The structure is simple and repetitive, designed for high memorability and sing-along value.

Meme Culture and Viral Success
"Big Guy" became a significant cultural moment in late 2025, largely driven by short-form video content. The specific lyric "SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay" was widely parodied and used as audio for transformation videos or motivational posts. It showcased the power of "meme rap" in marketing major motion pictures.

Crossover Success
The song solidified Ice Spice's status as a pop-cultural icon capable of transcending adult-oriented hip-hop to appeal to family demographics. It followed in the footsteps of her contribution to the Barbie soundtrack, marking a trend of drill artists successfully entering the mainstream animation space.

"Big Guy Pants"
This phrase functions as a metaphor for maturity and stepping up to a challenge. It references the idiom "put your big boy pants on," symbolizing readiness and courage in the face of adversity, mirroring the movie's plot.

"Bubbles so big like Mrs. Puff"
Mrs. Puff is a pufferfish who inflates when startled. Here, "blowing bubbles" serves as a double entendre: it fits the underwater setting, but in a hip-hop context, it can refer to making money or having a "bubbling" (growing) presence. Comparing the size to Mrs. Puff emphasizes the magnitude of her success.

"I'm the Catch"
A classic pun. In fishing terms, a "catch" is a fish caught in a net; in romance and social hierarchy, being a "catch" means being a highly desirable partner. Ice Spice uses this to assert her value.

"Chum" vs. "Fancy"
"Chum" refers to the bait made of fish parts, but in the SpongeBob lore, it represents the failure and grossness of the Chum Bucket restaurant. By saying she doesn't eat chum, she symbolically rejects mediocrity and failure, aligning herself with the "fancy" lifestyle often associated with Squilliam Fancyson or the high-life of Bikini Bottom.

"SpongeBob, big guy pants, okay"
This is the central hook and motif of the song. Its relentless repetition anchors the track, serving as a mantra. The inclusion of the word "okay" at the end of the line adds a conversational, nonchalant tone that is characteristic of Ice Spice's Gen Z appeal.

"Grrah"
The artist's signature ad-lib recurs throughout the track. While usually an onomatopoeia for a weapon in drill music, here it functions purely as a rhythmic signature, branding the song as unmistakably Ice Spice despite the commercial setting.