Fire N IIce – Outfits N Plans

What is the meaning behind your name?
The name Fire N IIce stands for balance and duality - it reflects how two completely different things, like hot and cold or up and down, are essential to one another. We represent that balance, showing that while we're opposites, we need both to create harmony. Our dad named us Fire N IIce because of our distinct personalities. As we grew, we added the second 'I' to IIce to emphasize this duality. I’m Fire because my passion sometimes comes across as aggression, but there’s no harm intended. And I’m IIce because I bring a cool, laid-back energy — no stress, just calm vibes.

Where are y’all originally from?
We’re originally from Buffalo, NY, and moved to Atlanta when we were 14 and 16. Even though we had to go back and forth to Buffalo a few times to regroup, we never gave up. Growing up in Buffalo was a lot of fun, and I miss being a kid and spending time with my family. Back then, there wasn’t much of a music scene, but now it feels like things are starting to catch on. We’re hoping to put together some events soon to showcase the incredible talent in the city because there are so many dope artists who deserve the spotlight.

Did yall ways want to be in the entertainment industry?
We’ve always known we wanted to be in entertainment. We went to a performing arts school, but even before that, our parents had us involved in all kinds of activities, and music just stuck. We’ve been doing music since we were 9 and 11, and we’ve always been serious about it. Our dad actually picked out our real names because he believed we were going to be stars. He didn’t know what we’d end up doing, but he wanted us to have names we wouldn’t need to change. He was a huge influence - he was in the music industry and taught us everything we know. We’d rap to his songs all the time, and I’d be on YouTube rapping Nicki Minaj’s songs all day. One time, after watching her perform and win at the BET Awards, I turned to my sister and said, ‘I’m bouta rap,’ and she said, ‘me too.’ We’ve been locked in ever since.

How did you first get started?
When we were 9 and 11, our father inspired us to follow in his footsteps and become rappers. I was watching Nicki Minaj on TV one day, and after that, I told my parents I was going to be a rapper. We both ran downstairs to tell our dad we wanted to rap, and at first, he said no. But he eventually let us record our first song, and we completely blew his mind.

What is the thought process when working on new music?
When we work on new music, we don’t follow a set process. We usually start by putting on a beat and seeing how it makes us feel. If we like it, we freestyle and build from there. Sometimes, though, we already have something in mind, like a verse or a hook, and we start with that as our foundation.

What inspires your music life?
My music is inspired by everyday life - things I'm currently experiencing, challenges I've faced, and aspirations for the future. Life is all about experiences, and you can’t truly appreciate or understand things until you feel and go through them. Since music is rooted in emotions, I believe that pouring those feelings into a song enhances its impact.

How would you classify your music?
I would classify our music as “Pretty Hard.” This means that both girly girls and hood bitches can enjoy it. Every female wants to feel pretty and confident, so we incorporate that into our music, catering to everyone - whether you lean more toward the girly side or the gangster vibe. We aim to give you that perfect blend of sweet and spice.

Describe yourself as a group?
Fire's passion and excitement paired with IIce's chill, flowing vibe create a dynamic performance experience. I’m Fire, and I bring passion and excitement to the stage. I love trying new things and consider myself a wild card—an out-of-the-box artist when it comes to entertaining. I believe in giving a great show and making people feel good. I’m IIce, and I like to pop my shit and go with the flow. While I’m laid-back, I want people to remember us, so I also focus on delivering a memorable performance.

What sets your music apart from others in your genre?
What sets our music apart from others in our genre is that we have a unique sound and versatility. As female artists, it's crucial to be able to rap while also connecting with the girlies. While we often talk about being the baddest bitches and popping coochies, we can easily switch it up to deliver real, raw rap or even some lovey-dovey R&B tracks. I love being different and trying new things because people enjoy experiencing sounds and styles they’ve never encountered before.

What do you feel like is your demographic market?
I feel like our demographic includes both males and females ages 13-35. Being in that age range ourselves, we know what we like and can relate to each other easily - not just through music, but also through fashion and social media. Our target market consists of college students and older high school students - old enough to know better but young enough to not care.

When working on a new song, do you already have a concept in mind or would you rather write on top of music and beats?
We mostly focus on writing without a specific concept in mind. However, we want to start incorporating more concepts and themes to give our music more substance and make it easier to market. I’m currently taking a marketing class and learning how important this is.

What are some of your musical influences?
Fire: Some of my favorite artists are NBA Youngboy, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Beyoncé. Each of these artists influences me in different ways. Beyoncé’s stage presence and performances are unmatched; she’s a true entertainer, and I try to bring that energy to my own shows. Youngboy, Nicki, and Drake all have unique styles that I love, and when I listen to their music, I really feel it. I want people to connect with our lyrics on a deeper level - like they can truly relate to what we’re saying, not just hear the words.
IIce: My influences are Nicki, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. I admire how authentic their music is and how it genuinely reflects who they are. That’s what I strive for in my own music.

What does music mean to you?
To us, music is everything; it embodies feelings, emotions, and memories, which are some of the most important aspects of life. Have you ever noticed that when you’re feeling sad and listen to a sad song, it can make you even sadder? Or when you're in a good mood and play an upbeat song, it lifts your spirits even more? It’s fascinating how music can influence our emotions — it's truly powerful. Music serves as a form of therapy, and there’s almost a song for every situation or feeling, from happiness to heartbreak.

What obstacles have you faced in the music industry?
Some obstacles I’ve faced include not having the right information and lacking knowledge about the business side of the music industry. I recently started school at Georgia State University to learn about the business for myself. It’s hard work, but it’s crucial to have this knowledge so we can protect ourselves in the industry. If you want to make money and be your own boss, understanding the business is absolutely necessary.

What does being an independent artist mean to you?
Being an independent artist means I’m the boss, but it also comes with the cost of being the boss. When things go well, it’s your success, and when they don’t, that’s also on you. You have to be prepared to handle any situation and step in for anyone if they don’t show up. On the plus side, being independent gives you more freedom to create your own schedule and work at your own pace, but it also means you’re constantly busy.

What lessons have you learned while working in the industry?
Some hard lessons I’ve learned include that having talent alone doesn’t make you a star, and patience is essential. I’m also learning to trust the process and realize just how big this business really is. Building relationships and networking with people is incredibly important. You have to view yourself as a brand and a product to be sold. As artists, our job is never done; we must continually create and strive to be better.

Do you feel that artists really understand the business aspect of the music industry?
Many artists think they have a handle on the music business, but there’s a lot more to it than they realize. Recognizing that there’s so much to learn is an essential first step. It’s encouraging to see some artists taking the initiative to educate themselves about the industry, whether through school or other resources. That proactive mindset will definitely benefit them in the long run!

What changes do you feel need to be changed in the music industry?
I wish the music industry focused more on talent and personality. While it’s frustrating to see people without talent, it’s even tougher when you encounter talented individuals with terrible personalities. In my opinion, being a good person is what really matters.

What direction do you see the music industry going in?
I feel like the music industry is leaning even more toward being a business. As long as fans are entertained in the moment and labels are making money, talent often gets overlooked. Hip hop music is especially important to me, and I’m worried that it will become so saturated with low-quality content that truly good music won’t hold the same value anymore.

What steps have you taken to branding yourself as an artist?
We recently did a personal branding assignment in class, where we answered questions that encouraged me to think of myself as a product. It really helped me grasp what branding means. I know I still have a lot to learn, but being in this class is definitely helping me grow and is a valuable step in our branding journey. We have plenty of ideas, but nothing solidified yet, as we're currently focused on our rebranding process.

If you could collaborate with any artist?
Our dream collaboration would be with Nicki Minaj. A lot of female rappers say her name, and for good reason—she's really been a major influence in our lives. It would be such an honor to work alongside someone I admired growing up. I remember watching her win an award at the BET Awards, and that moment solidified my desire to rap. Collaborating with her would feel like a full-circle moment for us.

If you could work with any producer?
I’d love to work with Metro Boomin. I’m a huge fan of how his tracks can be orchestrated with real instruments. I enjoy putting on a show, and people love to hear, see, and experience things they’ve never encountered before. Plus, we haven’t had the chance to work with any female producers yet, so that’s something I’d love to explore as well!

How important do you feel it is to have the right team?
Having the right team is absolutely essential. Without it, you risk ending up with messed-up contracts or stagnating in your career. A successful and growing career requires a cohesive team where everyone is on the same page. Even if you don’t have everything figured out yet, as long as everyone remains consistent and puts in the work, things can still come together effectively.

Do you feel the role of an A&R is important?
Yes, but only if they have real experience. We’ve met a lot of people who just seem opinionated rather than factual. In our experience, we’ve worked with individuals who considered themselves A&Rs or focused on artist development, but instead of helping us grow, they tried to change us to fit their own image. It’s essential for an A&R to truly understand and support the artist's vision.

How important do you think having your own artist label set up is?
Having your own label is very important for an artist. Even if you don’t use every aspect of the setup right away, it’s good to have it in place just in case. To be a successful artist, you also need to have a successful business, so understanding all aspects of that business is crucial to ensure it runs smoothly and to avoid being taken advantage of.

How has your music changed in the past couple of years?
Our music has definitely evolved in terms of content. Since we started rapping at 9 and 11, we've matured and grown a lot over the years. We went from not being allowed to curse in our music to expressing ourselves more freely. All the different experiences we've had while growing up have shaped our music, and it all comes together to reflect who we are today.

What are your plans for 2025?
We’re planning to use the waterfall strategy throughout the year. We have a single dropping in early March, followed by a follow-up single that will lead into an EP. I’m really excited to see how everything plays out; I’ve already learned so much this year. For us, 2025 is all about new beginnings and trying new things, and we’re ready for it!

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
For Fire, it would be passionate; for IIce, it would be sassy.

When people first meet you, what’s their first impression of you?
When people first meet us, they usually assume we sing or dance. Once we tell them we rap, they often think we’re joking until they see us perform. It’s pretty funny to watch their reactions; it’s something they never expect!

What are your business plans and goals for 2025?
For 2025, our business goals include ensuring all my business paperwork is in order and launching a marketing strategy for our projects. We aim to enhance the rebranding of Fire N IIce and get more involved on campus to expand our network.

What is your motto of life?
Motto: “Cry, get over it, get back to work” -Dapp a Don