Princess Diana (song)
"Princess Diana" is a song by American rapper Ice Spice. It is the second track on her debut extended play, Like..?, released on January 20, 2023, through 10K Projects and Capitol Records. A remix with Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj was released as a single on April 14, 2023 and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, earning Ice Spice her second top-ten hit on the chart and the 22nd top-ten hit for Nicki Minaj.
"Princess Diana"
April 14, 2023
- 2022 (original)
- February 2023 (remix)
- 2:35 (original)
- 2:52 (remix)
- Isis Gaston
- Ephrem Lopez
- Onika Maraj
RiotUSA
Background[edit]
Ice Spice, a drill rapper from the Bronx, released the single "Munch (Feelin' U)" in August 2022. It went viral on social media and became her breakout song,[1][2] surpassing 34 million worldwide streams in less than two months and reaching Billboard's US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[3] Its online success led to her signing with the record label 10K Projects and Capitol Records.[4]
In November 2022, memetic comparisons of Ice Spice to Diana, Princess of Wales, gained traction on Twitter. For example, users reposted split portraits of Ice Spice's and Diana's faces, with each half mashed side by side, across social media. More people solidified the comparison when a video of her and American rapper Lil Tjay surfaced in which they handed Thanksgiving turkeys to people in the Bronx. Ice Spice was called the Princess Diana of her generation[4][5] and gained the nickname "The People's Princess", a title initially given to Diana after her death in a 1997 car crash in Paris.[6]
Later that month, Ice Spice announced via an interview with podcast Rap Caviar that her debut extended play (EP), Like..? was in the works. Its track list consisted of six songs;[7][8] it featured "Munch (Feelin' U)" alongside two succeeding singles and three songs yet to be released. One track is named "Princess Diana", a nod to the memes about Ice Spice.[9]
Release[edit]
"Princess Diana" was released as a Like..? album track on January 20, 2023. The EP marked Ice Spice's first project under 10K and Capitol.[10] She performed Like..? at Rolling Loud California in March 2023, with "Princess Diana" as the opening song.[11][12] During her performance, she expressed her adoration for rappers Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, both of whom were onstage before her. Ice Spice told the crowd: "I'm standing on the same stage Lil Wayne and my idol Nicki Minaj were less than 24 hours ago, my life is insane."[13]
Minaj reacted to the namedrop on Instagram, commenting on a photo Ice Spice shared of herself at Rolling Loud. She complimented her by using the lyrics to "Princess Diana" to call her a princess of rap. Minaj wrote: "Btchs slow so I gih dem a pass. Nah. Grah! No more passes Princess…Let's go. [sic]" A week later, she reposted a Dazed cover that featured Ice Spice and said: "Gag. The People's PRINCESS ?. catch it!!! [sic]"[14] Their interactions fueled speculation that the two collaborated on a remix of "Princess Diana".[15]
On April 14, 2023, the remix was released to digital download and streaming services through 10K Projects, Capitol Records and Heavy on It.[16] It became the first-ever release on Minaj's own vanity label, Heavy on It.[17] Edgar Esteves directed the music video for "Princess Diana". It premiered on YouTube at 14:00 UTC on April 14, 2023, and featured appearances from both rappers.[18]