Be it for the good, bad, ugly, or downright shocking, 2021 was full of memorable moments!
Now, as the year draws to a close, That Grape Juice is reflecting on the occasions that rocked – and to some degree maybe even reshaped – the Urban and Pop cultural landscape as we know it.
Next, we’ll revisit the shocking announcement that GRAMMY-nominated femcee Iggy Azalea was hanging up her mic forever.
With millions of records sold, multiple top 40 hits (including the #1 smash ‘Fancy’), a 10-year-old catalog, and a nearly unrivaled videography among her peers, Iggy Azalea stands as one of the most successful female rappers of all-time…on paper. In reality, the Rap diva – despite a legion of dedicated fans affectionately called #Azaleans – has a reputation and legacy that’s been tarnished by (arguably) undue cultural blacklisting.
In the face of that seemingly insurmountable obstacle, Iggy’s managed to hit a number of critical homeruns in the years that followed the release of her debut album, 2014’s ‘The New Classic,’ but none of that success was mirrored commercially.
The nonresponse to her musical releases, alongside the demands of motherhood, were just what the ‘Started’ rapper claims started her desire to seek professional fulfillment outside of the music industry.
Iggy Azalea NOT Returning To Music, Taking An Extended Break After Next Album
The announcement, which preceded the release of her third and final studio album, ‘End of An Era,’ was expounded upon during her accompanying press run.
Iggy Azalea Cites Privacy & Motherhood As Reasons She’s ‘Pretty Sure’ Her New Album Is Her Last
Iggy Azalea Says Her Songs Would Be ‘Received Differently’ If Somebody Else Sang Them
Ultimately, the set was met with critical acclaim upon its August release, but became her first studio effort the miss the Billboard 200 entirely.
Iggy Azalea Misses Billboard 200 With Debut of Third & Final Album ‘End of An Era’
All was not lost, however. Before the year’s end, Azalea not only hit the road with fellow emcee Pitbull (as we reported here) but also launched the next chapter of her career: a makeup line.
Iggy Azalea Announces New Makeup Line Totally Plastic
Queen Of Rap period and I saw her on your slayyyyyed
She always had bops and was the only artist who could separate rap persona from her real life, acting like a normal person of society (meaning to stupid fights, clashes, death threats, etc).
Hope she comes back. Room
For everyone.
This proved white girls can’t rap for s***!
Throughout the 2010s, Iggy was the Queen of Rap, Queen of the South, and Queen of Hip-Hop, after Queen Khia took over the 2000s. Now, Cardi B is the Queen of Rap, Queen of NY and Queen of Hip-Hop of the 2020s.
Iggy is a whole legend,
She gave up on herself which is sad.
If we are being honest, fancy was a bop thanks to charli xcx singing the chorus.
Remember when nicki use to be threatened by iggy
😂😂.
Nicki has embarrassed me one too many times. 😩😩
Throwing shade at Iggy at the bet awards. Smh
Iggy is a legend and whether people like it, broke records and still holds some of those record to this date.
The biggest white female rapper EVER 🤳🏽 💯 Put some respect on her name lol 👑
Bye H/O/E!
You contributed NOTHING to Hip-Hop Culture.
She contributed to the ending of HOnika Miraj’s reign as Queen of Rap and Queen of Hiphop. Nicki has been chasing hits as a guest feature since she hasn’t had a hit of her own since “Anaconda.”