Did It First (with Central Cee)

The song "Did It First" is a defiant and unapologetic anthem exploring themes of infidelity, revenge, and female empowerment in the context of a modern relationship. It presents a transactional and retaliatory approach to cheating. The core message, explicitly stated in the chorus, is that if one partner is unfaithful, the other feels justified in not only reciprocating but escalating the betrayal ("If he's cheatin', I'm doin' him worse"). This flips the traditional narrative of a victimized partner, replacing sorrow with a proactive and confrontational stance.

Ice Spice’s verses portray a woman who refuses to be passive. She takes control of the situation, viewing her partner's infidelity as a green light for her own actions. The lyric "No Uno, I hit the reverse" serves as a powerful metaphor for turning the tables on him. Her attitude is nonchalant and confident, suggesting she is unfazed by the emotional drama and is instead focused on reclaiming her power.

Central Cee’s verse provides the male counterpoint. He doesn’t deny his actions but rather offers a confession of his history as a philanderer. He admits to being caught multiple times and making excuses, acknowledging, "I clearly ain't learn my lesson." This admission serves to justify Ice Spice's perspective, confirming that his behavior is a pattern and her decision to retaliate is based on his established actions. The song becomes a dialogue between two partners who are both engaged in a cycle of betrayal, with the primary theme being that the initial transgression set the precedent for all subsequent actions.

The narrative unfolds as a conversational battle of wills centered on infidelity. It begins with a direct challenge, asking if the partner truly understands the new rules of their dynamic. The female protagonist, Ice Spice, immediately establishes her stance: if she discovers her partner has cheated, she won't merely leave or mourn; she will retaliate with an even greater transgression. This isn't a game of sorrow but a calculated counter-move, symbolized by hitting the reverse card in a game of Uno. She’s not losing sleep over this, asserting her readiness and self-possession with the mention of a “grip in my purse,” a metaphor for her preparedness to handle any fallout. Her justification is simple and unshakeable: he initiated the betrayal, so her actions are a direct consequence. She describes a scene where, despite his pleas for her to stay, she’s already emotionally and physically checked out, casually “dippin'” and sipping a drink. She details the confusing dynamic of their relationship—they’re not intimate, yet he remains physically close, a testament to his lingering desire despite the turmoil. This proximity doesn’t deter her; it fuels her resolve. She entertains a fleeting thought about their history but quickly dismisses it to protect their private business, even while acknowledging his unique place in her life. This internal conflict is swiftly resolved by a turn towards hedonism and retribution. She decides to leverage his guilt and affection, knowing he'll spend money on her, and then takes her revenge to a communal level by partying with her friends and, pointedly, his friends. Her identity as a desirable “baddie” is her armor; she knows he’s lying when he feigns disinterest. The core message is repeated: his cheating gives her a license to cheat back, and she intends to do it better and worse.

The male protagonist, Central Cee, enters the conversation with a verse that is less a defense and more a candid confession of his character. He admits to his own possessiveness and suspicion, checking her phone for evidence of her sleeping with someone else. He acknowledges her cleverness in covering her tracks, as he once did, by deleting messages. He reveals his own deceptions, admitting that when he was caught, he lied, claiming a night with a woman was actually a night with his male friends. He reflects on his extensive history of infidelity with a stark admission: if he were to be tried in court for every time he was caught, he’d be a serial felon. He shows a moment of self-awareness, recognizing his pattern of making “stupid excuses” and his inability to learn from his mistakes. He feels the risk of his behavior, knowing that the women he’s with could easily expose him, yet he continues down the same path, admitting he clearly hasn't learned his lesson. His perspective doesn’t excuse his actions but rather confirms the female protagonist's suspicions and, in a way, validates her decision to retaliate. The song concludes by reiterating the central thesis, reinforcing that her actions are a direct, unapologetic reaction to his initial betrayal, framing it as a matter of cause and effect in a toxic cycle.

"Did It First" was officially released on July 11, 2024, as the fourth single from Ice Spice's debut studio album, Y2K!, which was released on July 26, 2024. The song is a collaboration with British rapper Central Cee. The production was handled by a team consisting of Ice Spice's frequent collaborator RiotUSA, alongside Lily Kaplan and Nico Baran. The songwriters credited are Isis Gaston (Ice Spice), Oakley Caesar-Su (Central Cee), Ephrem Lopez Jr. (RiotUSA), Lily Kaplan, and Nicholas Baran.

Prior to its official release, the track generated significant buzz online. The rappers teased the collaboration in the week leading up to its drop, with a clip posted by Ice Spice going viral on TikTok. This strategic preview amassed over 42 million views and was used in thousands of videos before the song was even available, demonstrating a strong fan anticipation for the transatlantic link-up. The music video, directed by Ice Spice, Edgar Estevez, and Nikita Vilchinski, premiered alongside the single. It visually captures the song's themes and the Y2K aesthetic of the album, featuring scenes of the two artists at a house party in London and imagery reminiscent of early 2000s computer interfaces.

"Did It First" is built on a foundation of a fast-paced, infectious rhythm that drives its confrontational narrative. The song's rhythmic structure is a defining feature, blending elements of Jersey club and drill. The tempo is upbeat and energetic, characterized by the stuttering kick drum patterns typical of Jersey club, which creates a constant sense of forward motion and urgency.

Lyrically, both Ice Spice and Central Cee utilize simple, direct rhyme schemes that prioritize clarity and punchiness over complexity. Ice Spice's verses often employ couplets (AABB), as seen in lines like "He beg me to stay, but I'm dippin' / I don't even drink, but I'm sippin'." This straightforward structure makes the lyrics memorable and impactful, allowing her confident, nonchalant delivery to take center stage. Her rhythmic flow often sits comfortably within the beat, creating a hypnotic effect that aligns with her calm demeanor.

Central Cee’s verse follows a similar pattern of direct rhymes, such as "detective" and "message," and "felons" and "tellin'." His cadence is slightly more varied, reflecting a conversational and confessional tone. The interplay between the artists' distinct flows and the propulsive, syncopated beat creates a dynamic track where the rhythm reinforces the lyrical themes of a back-and-forth power struggle.

"Did It First" showcases a unique blend of musical and literary styles that define its sound and impact.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The track's production, led by RiotUSA, is a hybrid of Jersey club and drill music. It features the propulsive, stuttering drum patterns and rhythmic vocal chops characteristic of Jersey club, layered over the deep bass and tempo of a drill beat.
• Vocal Sampling: A key element of the instrumental is a looping, chopped-up vocal sample. This sample was created by co-producers Lily Kaplan and Nico Baran, providing a melodic and atmospheric texture that contrasts with the hard-hitting beat.
• Contrasting Vocal Delivery: Ice Spice employs her signature laid-back, almost nonchalant flow, which creates a sense of cool, detached confidence even as she delivers confrontational lyrics. Central Cee's delivery is more direct and conversational, presenting his verse as a straightforward, unapologetic confession. This contrast creates a dynamic narrative interplay between the two artists.

Literary Techniques:

• Anecdotal Narrative: Both artists use short, anecdotal lines to build a narrative of betrayal and response. Ice Spice describes specific interactions ("He beg me to stay, but I'm dippin'"), while Central Cee confesses to specific actions ("lucky for me I deleted a message").
• Metaphor and Simile: The song is rich with figurative language, most notably the central metaphor "No Uno, I hit the reverse," which concisely captures the theme of retaliation.

"Did It First" made a significant cultural impact primarily through its viral success on social media, particularly TikTok, even before its official release. Teaser clips of the song and its accompanying dance challenge led to massive online engagement, building a groundswell of anticipation that ensured a strong debut. This pre-release hype highlighted the power of platforms like TikTok in modern music marketing.

The collaboration itself represents a major cultural moment, bridging the gap between the American (specifically Bronx drill) and UK rap scenes. It paired Ice Spice, one of the most prominent new faces in US hip-hop, with Central Cee, a leading figure in UK drill, creating a transatlantic anthem that appealed to fans of both artists.

Furthermore, the song's release was amplified by real-life social media drama and speculation surrounding Central Cee's alleged infidelity in his personal life. This blurred the lines between the song's narrative and celebrity gossip, fueling online discussion and turning the track into a conversation piece that extended beyond the music itself. The song was the fourth single from Ice Spice's highly anticipated debut album, Y2K!, cementing its place as a key track in the rollout of her first full-length project.

The lyrics of "Did It First" employ several clear and effective metaphors to enhance its theme of retaliatory infidelity.

• "No Uno, I hit the reverse": This is the most prominent metaphor in the song. It cleverly uses the imagery of the popular card game Uno to symbolize Ice Spice completely turning the tables on her cheating partner. Instead of accepting the situation (drawing cards), she reverses the direction of the game, seizing control and sending the negative action right back at him.
• "The grip in my purse": While this could be taken literally, it also functions as a metaphor for power, preparedness, and self-protection. It signifies that she is not a vulnerable victim; she is armed with confidence and readiness to handle any confrontation or consequence, feeling secure in her decision.
• Central Cee's Legal Metaphors: In his verse, Central Cee uses legal and criminal imagery to describe his history of cheating. He raps, "If I went court for all the times I got caught / I'd have about 16 felons." This metaphor frames his infidelity as a series of repeated, serious offenses, essentially painting himself as a habitual offender in the context of their relationship, which further justifies her retaliatory stance.

The most significant recurring element in "Did It First" is the chorus, which functions as the song's central thesis and lyrical motif. The lines, "If he's cheatin', I'm doin' him worse / No Uno, I hit the reverse / I ain't trippin', the grip in my purse / I don't care 'cause he did it first," are repeated multiple times throughout the song.

The repetition of this hook hammers home the song's core message of retaliatory infidelity and empowerment. It serves as a constant justification for the narrator's actions, creating a defiant and unshakeable anchor for the track's narrative. Each time the chorus returns, it reinforces her lack of guilt and her firm belief that her partner's initial betrayal gave her a license to respond in kind, if not more severely.

Musically, the looping, high-pitched vocal sample in the beat acts as a recurring instrumental motif. This catchy, hypnotic sound provides a consistent sonic identity for the track and contributes to its viral, earworm quality. The phrase "Grrah," used as an ad-lib by Ice Spice, is another recurring sonic element, punctuating her lines and adding to her signature confident and assertive style.