Azalea, Iggy << uh ZAYL yuh, IHG ee >> (1990-…), is a popular and controversial Australian rap performer, songwriter, and fashion model. She is one of the few white, female, non-American artists to succeed in rap, a musical form originated and largely dominated by African American men. Azalea is known for her sexually explicit lyrics and music videos.
Azalea was born on June 7, 1990, in Sydney, Australia. Her real name is Amethyst Amelia Kelly. She took her stage name from the name of her childhood dog, Iggy, and the street on which she grew up, Azalea Street, in Mullumbimby, New South Wales. She began performing rap at the age of 14. In 2006, at the age of 16, she moved to the United States to pursue a career in pop music. She lived in Miami and other parts of Florida, and in Houston and Atlanta. In 2011, Azalea released a mixtape called Ignorant Art. A mixtape is an informal collection of pieces of music, usually by a number of artists. On the tape, Azalea rapped over the music of other artists. She attracted attention when a music video for a song from the album became popular on the Internet. In 2012, she began modeling full-time for a modeling agency.
Azalea’s first single, “Work,” was released in 2013. The song “Fancy,” featuring the British singer-songwriter Charli XCX, was released in 2014 and became a number-one hit in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, and a top-10 hit in Australia and the United Kingdom. The songs were included on her debut album, The New Classic, released later in 2014. The album also included the hits “Bounce” and “Change Your Life.” Azalea was also featured on the hit song “Problem,” by the American singer Ariana Grande .
