Iggy Azalea
Biography
Amethyst Amelia Kelly, known professionally as Iggy Azalea, was born on June 7, 1990, in Sydney, Australia. She grew up in Mullumbimby, New South Wales. Her father, Brendan Kelly, was a painter and comic artist, and her mother, Tanya, cleaned holiday homes and hotels. Azalea developed a passion for hip hop at a young age, being influenced by artists like Tupac Shakur and Missy Elliott. Determined to pursue a music career in the United States, she dropped out of high school, saved money from cleaning jobs, and moved to the U.S. shortly before her 16th birthday.
Career Beginnings
Upon arriving in the U.S., Azalea lived in Miami, Houston, and Atlanta, immersing herself in the Southern rap scene. She gained public recognition after releasing viral music videos for her songs "Pussy" and "Two Times" on YouTube. This led to the release of her debut mixtape, "Ignorant Art," in 2011. The mixtape's success and her distinct style caught the attention of rapper T.I., who signed her to his Grand Hustle label.
Rise to Stardom
Azalea's international breakthrough came in 2014 with the release of her debut studio album, "The New Classic". The album's lead single, "Fancy" featuring Charli XCX, became a global phenomenon, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This made her the fourth female rapper to ever top the chart. She also featured on Ariana Grande's hit single "Problem," which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, right behind "Fancy". This achievement made Azalea the second musical act, after The Beatles, to hold the top two spots simultaneously with their first two Hot 100 hits. "The New Classic" also earned her nominations for four Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and Record of the Year.
Later Career and Ventures
Following her initial success, Azalea released further projects, including the album "In My Defense" in 2019 and "The End of an Era" in 2021. Over her career, she has won several awards, including two American Music Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award. In addition to her music, Azalea has been involved in modeling and has launched her own record label.
Personal Life
Iggy Azalea's personal life has often been in the public eye. She was previously in a relationship with rapper A$AP Rocky and was engaged to NBA player Nick Young, though the engagement ended in 2016. In 2020, she had a son named Onyx Kelly with rapper Playboi Carti. The couple's relationship ended later that year.