In Ha Mood

"In Ha Mood" by Ice Spice is a powerful anthem of female empowerment, self-confidence, and financial independence. The song's central theme revolves around the artist embracing her success and asserting her autonomy, particularly in the face of male advances and peer envy. The phrase "in ha mood" signifies a state of being where she feels untouchable, in control, and completely self-assured.

Lyrically, the song dismisses a man's attempt to tie her down, prioritizing her own enjoyment, career, and financial success ('lovin' my bands') over a relationship. This narrative establishes a clear message of self-reliance and the pursuit of personal ambition. Furthermore, the song addresses the social dynamics of her rising fame. Ice Spice confronts the jealousy and insincerity of 'fakes' who want her position, using their envy as a measure of her success ('Goin' viral is gettin' 'em sicker'). It's a declaration of her resilience, celebrating her journey from humble beginnings ('came from the gutter') to becoming a viral sensation. The track serves as a celebration of a woman who is unapologetically herself, setting her own rules in both her personal life and the competitive music industry.

The narrative opens with the artist, Ice Spice, in a moment of self-admiration, dancing in front of a mirror. She immediately establishes a tone of unwavering confidence and independence. A man, who she notes is a rapper, attempts to gain her attention and affection, but she dismisses him, stating he doesn't have a chance. Her focus is squarely on her own success and financial gain, symbolized by her love for her 'bands' (money). She is keenly aware of her rising fame, referencing the millions of views her content receives in a single day and the numerous opportunities for income that come with it. The man's pleas for her to stay are futile; her priority is to go out, party, and enjoy her life on her own terms.

The song transitions to a party scene where her desirability and status are on full display. She identifies herself as a 'baddie' who knows her worth, a perfect 'ten,' and she surrounds herself with friends who share the same confident energy. This reinforces the theme of female solidarity and empowerment. She repeatedly hears the observation from others, "Damn, she in ha mood," which acts as the central chorus and an affirmation of her powerful, self-possessed state of being. She's not just feeling good; she is in her element, fully in control, and enjoying the attention her presence commands. The lyrics also touch upon the envy she incites, noting that others are mad because she consistently produces hit songs ('bops') and is claiming her spot in the music industry. She declares that if she were in their position, she would envy herself too.

In the second verse, the perspective shifts to address the challenges that come with her ascent. She makes it clear she has no time for insincere people or 'fakes' who pretend to support her while secretly coveting her success. Stepping into the party, she is the center of attention, not just from admirers but from the paparazzi, a clear indicator of her celebrity status. She reflects on her journey, acknowledging her origins from 'the gutter' but celebrating her current success. She proudly notes her continuous growth and how her viral fame irritates her detractors. This section is a testament to her resilience and ambition. The narrative closes with more assertions of her high status, comparing herself to the iconic Lauryn Hill and mentioning a Lamborghini. She emphasizes her power by stating she makes people wait for her, reinforcing her control and high demand. The recurring phrase "Like, damn, she in ha mood" serves as the ultimate summary of her mindset: unapologetically confident, successful, and entirely on her own terms.

"In Ha Mood" was written by Ice Spice (Isis Gaston) and the producer RiotUSA (Ephrem Lopez, Jr.). RiotUSA has been a frequent collaborator with Ice Spice, producing her previous viral hits like "Munch (Feelin' U)" and "Bikini Bottom." The song was recorded in 2022 and officially released on January 6, 2023, as the third single from her debut EP, Like..?.

Ice Spice first teased the track on TikTok on December 21, 2022, where it quickly gained traction with her fanbase. She then premiered the song on YouTube and SoundCloud on Christmas Day of that year. The production by RiotUSA features a fast, rumbling beat inspired by Jersey Club and Brooklyn drill music. The beat itself was constructed using two sample loops from a Splice pack titled "Fabian Mazour Chill Vibes Volume two," which RiotUSA manipulated by adjusting the tempo and pitch to create the song's distinctive sound.

Shortly after its release, a lyric, "He a rapper but don't get a chance," prompted speculation from Chance the Rapper that it might be a reference to him. Ice Spice quickly clarified that the line was not about him. In January 2024, Ice Spice and RiotUSA were sued for copyright infringement by another drill artist, D.Chamberz, who claimed the song copied his 2022 track "In That Mood." A settlement was reportedly reached later that year.

The rhyme and rhythm of "In Ha Mood" are central to its catchy, energetic feel. Ice Spice's flow is confident and rhythmically straightforward, often landing squarely on the beat, which emphasizes her lyrical clarity and directness. The song is set to a fast tempo of 141 beats per minute (BPM), characteristic of its drill and Jersey Club influences.

The rhyme scheme is relatively simple, relying heavily on couplets (AABB) and frequent end rhymes that make the lyrics easy to follow and memorable. For example, in the first verse, "dance" rhymes with "chance," and "pants" with "bands," creating a tight, cohesive structure. This is followed by "day" rhyming with "paid" and "stay" with "play."

Her rhythmic delivery is often syncopated against the driving, complex beat produced by RiotUSA. This creates a compelling interplay between her relaxed vocal cadence and the urgent energy of the instrumental. The repetition of the hook, "Like, damn, she in ha mood," serves as the song's rhythmic anchor, a chant-like phrase that is both memorable and structurally important, grounding the listener between verses filled with confident boasts and narrative details.

"In Ha Mood" showcases Ice Spice's distinct stylistic approach, blending literary and musical techniques to create a memorable track.

• Vocal Delivery: Ice Spice employs a characteristically relaxed, almost nonchalant vocal delivery. This laid-back flow contrasts with the high-energy, fast-paced drill and Jersey Club-inspired beat, creating a unique texture. Her delivery projects an air of effortless confidence, as if her success is a natural and expected outcome.
• Ad-libs: The use of signature ad-libs, particularly the assertive "Grrah," punctuates her lines and adds a layer of raw, aggressive energy typical of the drill genre. This technique acts as an exclamation point to her confident assertions.
• Repetitive Chorus/Hook: The hook "Like, damn, she in ha mood" is simple, repetitive, and highly effective. Its catchiness is central to the song's viral success, making it an easily memorable mantra that encapsulates the entire theme of the song.
• Direct and Unapologetic Language: The lyrics are straightforward and confrontational ("No friends, I don't fuck with the fakes"), a hallmark of her brash and confident persona. This directness avoids ambiguity and reinforces the song's message of empowerment and self-assurance.
• Musical Production: The production by RiotUSA is a key stylistic element. It features a fast, rumbling beat with sonic influences from the Jersey Club scene, built upon pitched-up vocal and synth samples. This energetic backdrop provides the driving force for Ice Spice's cool and controlled rapping style.

"In Ha Mood" played a significant role in cementing Ice Spice's status as a breakout star in the music industry following her initial viral hit "Munch (Feelin' U)." The song became a massive success on social media, particularly TikTok, where its catchy hook and confident theme soundtracked countless videos, further propelling Ice Spice's mainstream popularity.

Commercially, the song performed well on various charts. It became her first solo track to enter the top 10 on the Mediabase Rhythmic Radio chart and eventually reached #1 on the Urban Radio chart. It also made its debut on the UK Official Chart, peaking at number 58, and reached number 58 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The track has been certified Gold in the United States and Canada.

The song's music video, directed by Oliver Cannon and Chris Villa, features Ice Spice cruising through her native Bronx, further solidifying her image and connection to the New York drill scene. Ice Spice also performed the song during her debut as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live on October 14, 2023, a major milestone indicating her cultural relevance.

While "In Ha Mood" is largely direct in its lyrical approach, it employs several symbolic elements and metaphors to enhance its themes of success and confidence.

• Paparazzi: The mention of "paparazzi in my face" serves as a direct symbol of her newfound fame and celebrity status. It's a tangible measure of her success, signifying that she has crossed a threshold from an aspiring artist to a public figure whose presence commands media attention.
• 'Gutter' to 'Lamborghini': The juxtaposition of her past ('came from the gutter') with her present ability to be associated with luxury items like a Lamborghini is a powerful metaphor for her upward mobility. It encapsulates the classic rags-to-riches narrative in hip-hop, highlighting the distance she has traveled in her career journey.
• Lauryn Hill Reference: Comparing herself to the iconic artist Lauryn Hill ("Pretty bitch like Lauryn with a big ass butt, yup") is a metaphor for her own perceived status and impact. It's not just a comment on physical appearance but an alignment with a respected and influential female figure in music, suggesting she sees herself as part of that legacy of powerful women in the industry.

The most prominent recurring phrase in the song is the hook itself: "Like, damn, she in ha mood." This line is repeated multiple times throughout the track, functioning as its central thesis and chorus. Its repetition drills the core message into the listener's mind: the recognition, by an outside observer, of her state of supreme confidence and self-possession. It's not just a statement, but an affirmation of her power and vibe. The phrase has also transcended the song to become a popular slang term, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok, used to describe someone feeling themselves to the fullest.

Another recurring motif is the theme of financial success and independence. This is conveyed through repeated references to money and the benefits of her career, such as "lovin' my bands," "many ways to get paid," and becoming a viral sensation who consistently makes "bops" (hit songs). This motif reinforces the idea that her confidence is rooted in her own accomplishments and financial autonomy, not in the approval of others, particularly men.