Breaking Down the Ice Spice and Cleotrapa Drama
Former friends Ice Spice and Cleotrapa engage in public feud over tour mistreatment allegations, sparking social media storm
INDIO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 20: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Ice Spice performs at the Sahara Stage at the 2024 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival weekend 2 day 2 at Empire Polo Club on April 20, 2024 in Indio, California.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for CoachellaIn a stunning turn of events, the rap world is abuzz with a clash between rising star Isis Naija Gaston, known as Ice Spice, and her ex-friend Cleopatra Lee, who goes by Cleotrapa. What started as whispers in May 2023 blew up into a significant social media event in September. The latter dropped a six-part TikTok bomb, showing supposed mistreatment during the Y2K Tour, which ran from late July to late August 2023. This public dispute not only ended their friendship but also sparked a wider discussion about artist treatment in the music industry.
Before their public fallout, the two were once best friends in New York's competitive rap scene. Their friendship culminated when the former showed up in Ice Spice's "In Ha Mood" music video.
On September 2, 2023, Cleotrapa started a scathing TikTok attack on her former friend, lasting almost an hour. She didn't hold back, saying she was "played, betrayed & unpaid" during the performance series. Her list of complaints included:
- Getting only one day to get ready for the performance series
- No help from Ice Spice's team to promote her
- No backstage space or food
- Having to pay for flights and upscale hotels
- Not getting essential stuff like mics or ear monitors
- Feeling like Ice Spice was distant to her the whole tour
Responding swiftly to the allegations, Ice Spice went on Twitter Spaces to defend herself. She said she was "trying to be a good person" by asking Cleotrapa on tour at the last minute and hinted that the latter wasn't telling the whole story.
The feud has spread through the hip-hop world. Azealia Banks, known for speaking her mind, took Cleotrapa's side, offering her a paid job and praising her for showing "respect & class."
