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You surely know Iggy Azalea, this Australian rapper who broke all records with her unique style and catchy flow. Her full name is Amethyst Amelia Kelly, born on June 7, 1990, in Sydney. And honestly, her journey makes you want to believe in it!
You see her now, having become an essential figure in hip-hop, with hits like Fancy that crossed borders. But wait, she didn’t get there by chance, oh no.
This woman is a true blend of ambition, talent, and perseverance – and her fortune proves it. Her age? Not very young, it’s 2026 and she has already celebrated her 35th birthday, but she’s still full of energy.
Her height is also often mentioned, as if to emphasize that she stands out in a world where image matters. Come on, I’m taking you into her story, because Iggy is not just a rapper, she’s a real phenomenon.
Iggy Azalea: who is this Australian rapper who became a global icon?
Iggy Azalea, otherwise known as Amethyst Amelia Kelly, clearly comes from a rather unusual background. Born in Australia, in Sydney exactly, this girl had a childhood between the city and New South Wales, where her parents had very modest jobs, her father a painter and her mother a cleaner. Nothing destined this young Australian to become the rap star we know today, and yet.
At only 16, she left Australia without looking back, heading to the United States. Her family thought she was going on vacation, but she definitely decided to stay. She settled in Miami, then Houston, and finally Atlanta, where hip-hop breathes daily. It wasn’t easy, but her determination worked wonders.
Her pseudonym? Taken from her dog named Iggy, combined with the street where she grew up, Azalea Street. That already gives you a little glimpse of her personality, a bit rebellious, a bit attached to her roots, but ready to do anything to succeed. At first, some doubted, even mocked her accent or her style. Yet, she managed to turn those criticisms into fuel for her ambition.
On stage or in her clips, she exudes a particular aura. Her way of embodying hip-hop culture, despite her Australian origin, always surprised. But she proved she could impose herself in a very competitive environment, while keeping her authenticity.
Before fame: Iggy Azalea’s beginnings in American hip-hop
I confess what strikes the most in her story is that crazy desire she had when she was very young. At 14, she wrote her first texts, but it wasn’t a given. America, this great hip-hop country, is not easy to integrate when you come from Australia, especially when you’re a white woman.
Her arrival in the United States was, how to say, a leap into the deep end. Without fortune, without a network, she had to fight to be heard. Her first clips like Pu$$y or Two Times went viral, that’s really what launched her career. It struck me how much her videos managed to capture an audience, mixing provocation and raw talent.
In 2011, she released her first mixtape Ignorant Art. That really made people talk about her. A few months later, rapper T.I. signed her to his label Grand Hustle, and that changed everything. Almost, because of course, she still had to navigate between egos and business in the industry.
But I think it reflects her character well: she never gives up, even when things get tough. She left Interscope, signed elsewhere, proved herself in small venues before seeing her name shine on the biggest posters of American hip-hop.
Music career and success: the hits that marked the Iggy Azalea era
So, expect some gems in her discography. Her first album, The New Classic, released in 2014, really set the bar high. The kind of thing that transforms a girl from Australia into a global star. Songs like Work, Bounce or the famous Fancy featuring Charli XCX, remember? The latter even reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, an achievement for a solo female rapper at the time.
It’s funny to think about how Fancy was parodied in every way, it became a cultural phenomenon. Not to mention her collaboration with Rita Ora on Black Widow. No wonder her first album was nominated for Grammys, even if sometimes the press remained mixed about her style.
She also made a splash at the awards, between American Music Awards, MTV, and BET. In 2015, her appearance in Fast & Furious 7 brought another dimension to her career, a foot in cinema. I found it surprising to see her so comfortable on the big screen.
She didn’t stop there: after some projects like the EPs Glory or Survive The Summer, she still works on new material, even if the release of her second album Digital Distortion was delayed. Still, she drops singles like Switch with Anitta, showing she’s still in the game.
That video is really iconic, a key moment that marked a whole generation, and it’s always a pleasure to watch it again.
Another classic that clearly shows the rapper’s strong debut, with direct flow and incredible energy.
Private life and anecdotes: between loves and scandals
Well, let’s not lie, Iggy’s private life made as much noise as her career. Her story with Nick Young, Lakers basketball player, was highly publicized. They got engaged in 2015 but rather than living a fairy tale, their breakup in 2016 made a lot of noise, particularly because of an infidelity scandal revealed online. She was very honest about that period, which honestly touched me – it shows real strength.
She then went through relationships, like the one with rapper French Montana or later Playboi Carti, with whom she had a child in 2020, a little boy named Onyx. Since then, she raises her son alone, a huge responsibility, especially in this industry where everything moves fast and stress is constant.
I also discovered that Iggy had ups and downs in her modeling career, mainly because of industry standards. She was asked to lose a few centimeters of hip measurement, a crazy thing when you think about it, but she signed with Wilhelmina Models and managed to impose her own style.
And honestly, I find it very inspiring to see this woman become a fashion icon while keeping her unique musical identity. Her ability to bounce back is impressive.
Little secrets and recent collaborations to follow
You’d be surprised by the many collaborations she’s done! Besides Charli XCX and Rita Ora, she worked with big names like Ariana Grande on Problem, but also Steve Aoki, Anitta, and even French Montana. Honestly, it proves she knows how to adapt and stay relevant.
Regarding recent projects, she keeps expanding her musical universe by mixing hip-hop and electro, but without losing that touch that makes her signature. In 2023, she released an EP, 4 My Ratz, which fans liked for its more personal and direct side.
To keep up to date, her Instagram account is a real goldmine to see her latest collaborations and life moments, often shared with lots of spontaneity. Also take a look at her official site, some exclusives are really worth it.
- 🔥 Key singles to absolutely listen to: Fancy, Work, Bounce, Switch
- 🎤 Notable collaborations: Charli XCX, Rita Ora, Ariana Grande, Anitta
- 🌟 Recent projects: EP 4 My Ratz, music videos and solo singles
- 📸 Fashion and modeling: Levi’s ambassador, Wilhelmina Models
- 🎬 Actress: Small role in Fast and Furious 7
A portrait evolving over the years
From Sydney to Los Angeles, her life has been a long series of challenges. All these changes, this energy, sometimes a bit of chaos as well, I believe that’s what makes her human and endearing. Her journey is far from perfect, but that’s exactly what makes her vibrate.
So, how do you see her now, Iggy Azalea? For me, she’s an artist who managed to carve a place by facing prejudices, critics and obstacles. Besides having a well-deserved fortune, she’s a fighter.
We admire her boldness, her tenacity, and the ability to always reinvent herself. She stays in her time, whether we like her style or not, she leaves no one indifferent.
Her age doesn’t make her a frozen veteran, but rather an artist in the middle of her career, who keeps surprising. I’m curious to see what’s next, because with her, nothing is ever completely predictable.
