History of Iggy Azalea in Timeline

Iggy Azalea, born Amethyst Amelia Kelly, is an Australian rapper, songwriter, model, and businesswoman. She moved to the United States at 16 to pursue her music career. She gained recognition after releasing music videos for "Pussy" and "Two Times" on YouTube. She released her debut mixtape, Ignorant Art (2011), and signed with T.I.'s Grand Hustle label.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1988: Earth Girls Are Easy Inspiration

In 1988, the film "Earth Girls Are Easy" inspired Iggy Azalea's music video for "Pretty Girls", released in 2015.

June 1990: Amethyst Amelia Kelly Born

In June 1990, Amethyst Amelia Kelly, who is professionally known as Iggy Azalea, was born in Sydney, Australia.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart" Hit

In 1990, Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart" was a hit disco song. On December 16, 2012, Iggy Azalea performed live alongside Natasha Bedingfield and Bootsy Collins, covering this song on VH1 Divas.

1995: Referencing Films: Showgirls and Clueless

In 1995, Iggy Azalea referenced the film "Showgirls" in her 2013 music video "Change Your Life" and "Clueless" in her 2014 music video "Fancy".

1997: Homage to Films: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

In 1997, Iggy Azalea paid homage to the film "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" in her music video for "Work" (2013) and "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" in "Fuck It Up" (2019).

2003: Kill Bill Referenced

In 2003, the film Kill Bill was referenced in Iggy Azalea's music video "Black Widow", released in 2014.

2006: First Arrival in the United States

In 2006, Iggy Azalea first arrived in the United States, initially staying in Miami, Florida, marking the beginning of her pursuit of a music career in America.

2006: Move to the United States

In 2006, Iggy Azalea traveled to the United States at almost 16 to pursue her music career, initially telling her parents she was going on a holiday.

2010: Move to Los Angeles and Stage Name Adoption

In the summer of 2010, Iggy Azalea moved to Los Angeles, encouraged by someone from Interscope Records, and adopted her stage name, Iggy Azalea, derived from her childhood dog's name and the street she grew up on.

September 2011: Release of Ignorant Art Mixtape

On September 27, 2011, Iggy Azalea released her first full-length project, a mixtape titled Ignorant Art, aiming to challenge conventional ideals.

November 2011: Release of "My World" Music Video

In November 2011, Iggy Azalea released the music video for her song "My World", featuring a cameo by Tiny Lister, gaining increased online attention.

December 2011: Announcement of Debut Album The New Classic

In December 2011, Iggy Azalea announced that she would release her debut studio album, The New Classic, upon signing a major record label deal.

2011: Release of Ignorant Art Mixtape

In 2011, Iggy Azalea released her debut mixtape, Ignorant Art, after gaining recognition for her music videos "Pussy" and "Two Times" on YouTube. Subsequently, she signed with T.I.'s Grand Hustle label.

2011: Relationship with ASAP Rocky Begins

In late 2011, Iggy Azalea began dating American rapper ASAP Rocky after meeting him through record producer Chase N. Cashe.

January 2012: Relationship Confirmation and Tattoo

In January 2012, Iggy Azalea confirmed her relationship with ASAP Rocky and got the title of his mixtape tattooed on her fingers.

January 2012: Release of "The Last Song" Music Video

On January 11, 2012, Iggy Azalea released the music video for "The Last Song", which was the third video from her 'Ignorant Art' mixtape.

March 2012: Signing with Grand Hustle Records

In March 2012, Iggy Azalea signed with T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records. Additionally, on March 26, 2012, she posted "Murda Bizness," the intended lead single for The New Classic, on her YouTube account.

April 2012: Announcement of Glory EP and SSENSE Collaboration

In April 2012, Iggy Azalea announced plans to release an extended play (EP) entitled Glory, later in May. Also in April, Azalea starred alongside Diplo and FKi in a fully interactive shoppable music video for SSENSE.

May 2012: Unsecured Distribution and "Beat Down" Release

In May 2012, it was confirmed Iggy Azalea hadn't secured distribution for her Grand Hustle deal. Azalea was also featured on Steve Aoki and Angger Dimas' collaborative electronic track "Beat Down", which was released on May 31, 2012.

June 2012: Release of "Millionaire Misfits"

On June 24, 2012, Iggy Azalea released "Millionaire Misfits", which was the second offering from her EP Glory.

July 2012: Breakup with ASAP Rocky

In July 2012, ASAP Rocky stated that he and Iggy Azalea were no longer dating. Azalea later removed her tattoo dedicated to him.

July 2012: Release of "Murda Bizness" Music Video

On July 21, 2012, the official music video for "Murda Bizness" was released online.

September 2012: Announcement of TrapGold Mixtape

On September 28, 2012, Iggy Azalea announced she would be releasing her second mixtape on October 11, 2012, titling it TrapGold.

October 2012: US National Television Debut and Ora Tour

In October 2012, Iggy Azalea made her US national television debut at the BET Hip Hop Awards and embarked on a North American mini-concert tour with Rita Ora.

December 2012: VH1 Divas Performance

On December 16, 2012, Iggy Azalea performed live alongside Natasha Bedingfield and Bootsy Collins, covering Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart" on VH1 Divas.

2012: Controversy over "D.R.U.G.S" lyrics

In 2012, Iggy Azalea faced controversy for the lyrics in her song "D.R.U.G.S", leading to accusations of racism and cultural appropriation. She later apologized for the "tacky and careless" lyrics.

2012: Modeling Career Begins

In 2012, Iggy Azalea signed with Wilhelmina Models, appeared in Dim Mak's fall/winter collection ads, and became the face of Levi's "Go Forth" campaign. She also appeared in House of Holland's eyewear collection campaign.

2012: Murda Bizness Video Inspiration

In 2012, Iggy Azalea's video for "Murda Bizness" was reminiscent of the pageant culture shown in the reality series "Toddlers & Tiaras".

February 2013: Radioactive Tour and "Work" Premiere

In February 2013, Iggy Azalea toured with Rita Ora and premiered her commercial debut single "Work" on BBC Radio 1Xtra on February 11, 2013. On February 13, 2013, it was announced that Azalea had signed a record deal with Mercury Records.

February 2013: Granted O Visa in the US

In February 2013, Iggy Azalea was granted a five-year O visa, allowing her to legally work in the U.S.

March 2013: "Work" Music Video Release and Nas Tour

In March 2013, Iggy Azalea released the music video for "Work" and joined Nas on the European leg of his Life Is Good Tour.

April 2013: Vevo LIFT Artist and Solo Record Deal

In April 2013, Iggy Azalea was announced as Vevo's second LIFT artist of the year and signed a solo record deal with Island Def Jam. She also premiered "Bounce" on BBC Radio 1 and announced "Change Your Life" as the third single.

May 2013: Radio 1's Big Weekend Performance

On May 25, 2013, Iggy Azalea performed a carnival themed set at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Derry, Northern Ireland, showcasing songs from previous EPs and album material such as "Bounce" and "Work".

June 2013: Album Nearing Completion

In June 2013, Iggy Azalea confirmed that her album, The New Classic, was nearly finished and expected to be released in September 2013.

July 2013: Opening for Beyoncé's Mrs. Carter Show World Tour

On July 29, 2013, Iggy Azalea revealed that she would be opening for Beyoncé on the Australia leg of her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in October and November.

August 2013: "Change Your Life" Single Premiere

On August 19, 2013, the third single from The New Classic, titled "Change Your Life", was premiered by BBC Radio 1Xtra's MistaJam.

September 2013: Expected Album Release

In September 2013, Iggy Azalea expected the release of her album, The New Classic.

October 2013: 106 & Park Appearance and Album Delay

On October 3, 2013, Iggy Azalea made her first appearance on BET's 106 & Park. However, due to touring commitments, her album release was delayed to March 2014.

November 2013: Relationship with Nick Young Begins

In November 2013, Iggy Azalea began a relationship with Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Nick Young.

November 2013: Iggy Azalea Performs at MTV Europe Music Awards

In November 2013, Iggy Azalea performed "Blurred Lines" with Robin Thicke at the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards, marking a significant appearance in her career.

December 2013: Unfinished Song "Leave It" Leaks

In December 2013, an unfinished Iggy Azalea song titled "Leave It" leaked, initially believed to be produced by DJ Mustard. Azalea later clarified that the song was produced by the Invisible Men and the Arcade.

2013: Film Homages and Bollywood Theme

In 2013, Iggy Azalea's "Work" music video referenced "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" (1997), and "Change Your Life" referenced "Showgirls" (1995). The video for "Bounce" featured a Bollywood theme.

February 2014: Announcement and Release of "Fancy"

In February 2014, Iggy Azalea announced the release of her new single "Fancy" featuring Charli XCX. On February 6, 2014, the song premiered on BBC Radio 1 Xtra, revealing it was the leaked song "Leave It."

March 2014: GQ Magazine Feature

In March 2014, Iggy Azalea and Nick Young were featured in GQ magazine.

March 2014: Delayed Album Release of The New Classic

In March 2014, The New Classic was scheduled to be released due to prior touring commitments.

April 2014: Release of "The New Classic" Album

In April 2014, Iggy Azalea released her album "The New Classic", which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart. The release marked a significant achievement as the highest-charting female rap album since 2012.

April 2014: Featured on Ariana Grande's "Problem"

In April 2014, Iggy Azalea was featured on Ariana Grande's single "Problem", which was released as the lead single from Grande's second studio album.

May 2014: "Fancy" Reaches Number One

On May 28, 2014, Iggy Azalea's single "Fancy" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, making Azalea the fourth solo female rapper to achieve this milestone. Additionally, "Problem" rose to number two, making her the only artist since the Beatles to rank at numbers one and two simultaneously with their first two entries.

June 2014: "Black Widow" Serviced to Radio

In June 2014, Iggy Azalea's song "Black Widow", featuring Rita Ora, was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio as the fifth single from her debut album.

July 2014: Hosting House of Style

In July 2014, MTV announced that Iggy Azalea would host the revived "House of Style".

October 2014: Forever 21 Campaign

In October 2014, Iggy Azalea and her boyfriend Nick Young became the faces of Forever 21's holiday campaign.

October 25, 2014: Saturday Night Live Debut

On October 25, 2014, Iggy Azalea debuted on Saturday Night Live, hosted by Jim Carrey. She performed "Black Widow" with Rita Ora and "Beg for It" with MØ, with the latter performance receiving negative feedback.

November 2014: Release of "Reclassified"

In November 2014, Iggy Azalea released "Reclassified", a reissue of her album "The New Classic", featuring five new songs including the singles "Trouble" and "Beg for It."

November 2014: Number One on Maxim Hot 100 Australia

In November 2014, Iggy Azalea was placed at number-one on the Maxim Hot 100 list in Australia. She also ranked at number 46 on the AMID Power 50.

December 2014: Announcement of Arena Tour and Second Album

In December 2014, Iggy Azalea announced plans for an arena tour in 2015 and a second studio album via her Twitter account. She also revealed the tour's title, "The Great Escape Tour."

2014: American Music Awards and MTV VMA Wins

In 2014, Iggy Azalea won two American Music Awards in the Rap/Hip-Hop categories and an MTV Video Music Award for her collaboration with Ariana Grande.

2014: The New Classic Album Success

In 2014, Iggy Azalea's debut album, The New Classic, reached the top of the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, making her the first non-American female rapper to achieve this milestone. Her single "Fancy" also topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination.

2014: Kill Bill Reference in Music Video

In 2014, Iggy Azalea's music video for "Black Widow" referenced the film "Kill Bill" (2003). Her "Fancy" music video also referenced the 1995 film, "Clueless".

January 2015: Started Working on Second Album

In January 2015, Iggy Azalea began working on her second studio album, marking the start of a new creative phase.

February 2015: Shoe Collection Unveiled

In February 2015, Iggy Azalea's shoe collection was unveiled.

March 2015: Breast Augmentation Reveal

In March 2015, Iggy Azalea revealed she had undergone breast augmentation, explaining her desire to avoid padding in costumes and wear lingerie without wiring.

April 2015: Bonds Ambassador

In April 2015, Iggy Azalea became the 100th-birthday ambassador for Australian underwear and clothing company Bonds.

May 2015: Released "Pretty Girls" with Britney Spears & Tour Cancellation

On May 4, 2015, Iggy Azalea released a duet with Britney Spears titled "Pretty Girls." On May 29, 2015, it was reported that "The Great Escape Tour" had been canceled.

June 1, 2015: Engagement Announcement

On June 1, 2015, Iggy Azalea and Nick Young announced their engagement.

August 2015: Rhinoplasty Disclosure

In August 2015, Iggy Azalea discussed having a rhinoplasty, emphasizing the importance of waiting and ensuring it's the right choice, while acknowledging the emotional aspect of plastic surgery.

October 2015: Album Title Reveal: Digital Distortion

In October 2015, Iggy Azalea revealed that the initial title of her second album would be "Digital Distortion", setting expectations for her upcoming work.

2015: Furious 7 Appearance and Shoe Collection Unveiling

In 2015, Iggy Azalea appeared in "Furious 7", part of "The Fast and the Furious" film series. In February 2015, her shoe collection was unveiled.

2015: Multiple Nominations and Awards

In 2015, Iggy Azalea led the iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations with five and received twelve nominations at the Billboard Music Awards.

2015: People's Choice Award Win

In 2015, Iggy Azalea won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Hip-Hop Artist and the ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist in 2014.

2015: Referencing Earth Girls Are Easy

In 2015, Iggy Azalea's music video "Pretty Girls" referenced the 1988 film "Earth Girls Are Easy", and "Trouble" was inspired by 1980s cop comedies.

January 2016: "Azillion" Release

On January 9, 2016, Iggy Azalea made a buzz track off the album "Azillion", available for free streaming on SoundCloud.

March 2016: "Team" Release and Production Company Launch

In March 2016, Iggy Azalea released "Team" along with a dance video and launched a production company, marking a significant expansion of her career into television and film production.

June 2016: Joins The X Factor Australia as Judge

On June 12, 2016, Iggy Azalea joined The X Factor Australia as a judge, replacing Chris Isaak for its eighth season, which was broadcast from October to November 2016.

June 19, 2016: Split from Nick Young

On June 19, 2016, Iggy Azalea announced that she and Nick Young had split after a video surfaced showing Young bragging about cheating on her.

July 2016: Azalea Street Productions Signs Deal with NBCUniversal

In July 2016, Iggy Azalea's company, Azalea Street Productions, signed a deal to create original content for NBCUniversal, further establishing her presence in the media industry.

September 2016: Album Release Delayed

In September 2016, Iggy Azalea delayed the release of her album to 2017, initially planned for July 2016, following the end of her relationship with Nick Young. She cited needing time to process changes in her personal life and wanting to record new songs reflecting her mindset.

2016: Addressing Racial Controversy and Sexism

In 2016, Iggy Azalea addressed racial controversies, citing sexism as a cause of criticism. She announced plans for her album "Digital Distortion" to confront these criticisms. She also expressed gratitude for support from female rappers like Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, and Trina.

2016: Woman of the Year Award

In 2016, Iggy Azalea was presented with the Woman of the Year award by GQ Australia.

February 2017: Bad Girls Gone Book Option

In February 2017, it was announced that Azalea Street Productions optioned the book Bad Girls Gone for a film that Azalea would produce, though the project did not materialize.

March 2017: Release of "Mo Bounce"

In March 2017, Iggy Azalea released the single "Mo Bounce", marking a new phase in her music releases.

May 2017: Release of "Switch"

In May 2017, Iggy Azalea released the single "Switch" featuring Brazilian singer Anitta. She promoted the song through a performance at the 2017 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards.

November 2017: New Label and Surviving the Summer Announcement

On November 7, 2017, Iggy Azalea announced that she was unable to release music until January 2018 due to signing with a new label. She also revealed the new title of her second album, "Surviving the Summer", and released four new tracks for free download.

January 2018: Announcement of "Savior"

In January 2018, Iggy Azalea announced the title of the lead single from "Surviving the Summer", "Savior" featuring Quavo.

February 2018: Release of "Savior"

In February 2018, Iggy Azalea released "Savior" featuring Quavo, the lead single from "Surviving the Summer".

March 2018: Permanent Residence Approval in the United States

In March 2018, Iggy Azalea was approved for permanent residence in the United States.

June 2018: "Survive the Summer" EP Announcement

In June 2018, Iggy Azalea announced that "Survive the Summer" would be an EP. The release was postponed due to changes at her record label, Island Records.

August 2018: "Survive the Summer" Release

In August 2018, Iggy Azalea released her EP, "Survive the Summer", which debuted at number 144 on the Billboard 200.

November 2018: Departure from Island Records

In November 2018, Iggy Azalea announced her departure from Island Records and the establishment of her own record label, initially named New Classic Records.

2018: Claims of Racism and Music Commentary

In 2018, Iggy Azalea claimed that racism in the United States leads to audiences dismissing her. She stated that she makes "black" music and wants to create music for girls in the gym, not necessarily provide social commentary.

2018: EP Release Under Island Records

In 2018, Iggy Azalea released the EP 'Survive the Summer' under Island Records after conflicts led to the cancellation of her second album.

2018: Monster Products Spokesperson

In 2018, Iggy Azalea was announced as Monster Products' new spokesperson and starred in their Super Bowl LII commercial.

2018: Approved as Permanent U.S. Resident

In 2018, Iggy Azalea was approved as a permanent U.S. resident, marking a significant milestone in her life in America.

2018: Relationship with Playboi Carti Begins

In late 2018, Iggy Azalea began dating American rapper Playboi Carti.

January 2019: Record Label Renamed to Bad Dreams

In January 2019, Iggy Azalea renamed her record label from New Classic Records to Bad Dreams, marking a new direction for her independent ventures.

February 2019: Album "In My Defense" Completed

In early February 2019, Iggy Azalea announced that she had completed work on her second studio album, "In My Defense", planning for a spring release.

March 2019: "Sally Walker" Release and Success

In March 2019, Iggy Azalea released "Sally Walker" as the first single from "In My Defense." The single's success was marked by significant views on YouTube and sales, debuting on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart.

May 2019: "Started" Release

On May 3, 2019, Iggy Azalea released "Started" as the second official single from her album "In My Defense", along with its official music video.

June 2019: "In My Defense" Album Release Date Announced

On June 24, 2019, Iggy Azalea announced via Twitter that her album "In My Defense" would be released on July 19, 2019.

September 2019: Announces New Extended Play

On September 27, 2019, Iggy Azalea announced she would be releasing a new extended play.

November 2019: Wicked Lips EP Planned Release

In November 2019, Iggy Azalea planned to release a new extended play on November 15, 2019 entitled Wicked Lips following the release of its lead single, "Lola".

December 2019: Reported Split from Playboi Carti

In December 2019, Iggy Azalea and Playboi Carti reportedly split.

2019: Romy and Michele's High School Reunion Reference

In 2019, Iggy Azalea referenced the film "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" (1997) in her music video "Fuck It Up".

2019: Release of In My Defense and Wicked Lips

In 2019, Iggy Azalea released her second studio album, 'In My Defense,' followed by another EP, 'Wicked Lips', marking a period of independent releases.

June 2020: Birth of Son

In June 2020, Iggy Azalea announced she had given birth to a son with Playboi Carti.

August 2020: Announces Album and Releases "Dance Like Nobody's Watching"

In the summer of 2020, Iggy Azalea announced her third studio album, "The End of an Era". On August 20, 2020, she released the original lead single, "Dance Like Nobody's Watching", a collaboration with Tinashe.

2020: Rolling Stone Australia Listing

In 2020, Iggy Azalea was listed at number 50 in Rolling Stone Australia's "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time" issue.

April 2021: Releases "Sip It"

In April 2021, Iggy Azalea released "Sip It" with Tyga as the new lead single for "The End of an Era" after scrapping the original lead single.

June 2021: "The End of an Era" Release Date and Tour Announcement

In June 2021, Iggy Azalea tweeted that "The End of an Era" would be released in August of the same year. Later in June, Pitbull announced his I Feel Good Tour with Azalea as an opening act.

July 2021: Announces Hiatus from Music

On July 15, 2021, Iggy Azalea announced that she would take a hiatus from music after the release of "The End of an Era", signaling a shift in her career.

2021: Blackfishing Accusations

In 2021, Iggy Azalea faced accusations of blackfishing after the release of her music video for "Iam the Stripclub", which she denied, explaining that she used the same foundation as in previous videos.

2021: Release of The End of an Era

In 2021, Iggy Azalea released her third studio album, 'The End of an Era'.

August 2022: Resumes Musical Activity and Music Catalog Sale

In August 2022, Iggy Azalea announced that she would resume her musical activity. Also in 2022, Azalea sold her music catalog to Domain Capital in an eight-figure deal.

August 2023: Releases "Money Come" Music Video

In August 2023, Iggy Azalea released a music video for her single "Money Come", which she directed herself and Christian Breslauer.

August 2023: Tory Lanez Sentencing and Joins OnlyFans

In August 2023, Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison, leading to the abandonment of Azalea's upcoming fourth album. She also joined OnlyFans and launched "Hotter Than Hell."

July 2024: Parenting Status

In July 2024, Iggy Azalea stated that she was "very much the only parent" to her child.

2024: Launches Memecoin and Telecommunication Service

In 2024, Iggy Azalea launched her memecoin called Mother Iggy. Additionally, Azalea launched her own non-contract telecommunication service called Unreal Mobile, as well as crowd-funding platform "Dream Vault".