News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tuesday November 26, 2013: Australian-born model turn rapper, Iggy Azalea, is sheltered from the rain outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, as she arrived for her taping on the Late Show with David Letterman, Tuesday November 26, 2013, in New York City.
She first gained recognition after the respective music videos for her controversial songs “Pussy” and “Two Times,” went viral on YouTube. On 27 September 2011, Azalea released her first full-length project, a mixtape entitled Ignorant Art, saying she made it “with the intent to make people question and redefine old ideals.”
In 2012, she announced her signing to Mercury Records and the following year to Island Def Jam. Azalea went into professional modeling, when she became represented by Wilhelmina Models, in the spring of 2012; later that year she was announced the “New Face of Levi Jeans.”
In 2012, Azalea became the first female, non-American rapper to be featured on XXL magazine’s annual “Top 10 Freshman” cover issue. On 30 July 2012, she released Glory, her debut extended play (EP), which was executive produced by Grand Hustle label-boss and American rapper T.I.. On 11 October 2012, she released her second mixtape TrapGold, which was produced entirely by high-profile producer Diplo and 1st Down of production team FKi. The mixtape is significant for foreshadowing Azalea’s new approach to music and her later work, which heavily includes electronic elements.
Azalea’s debut studio album The New Classic, is set to be released in 2014. Initially set to be released with Grand Hustle and Interscope Records, after label conflicts, in 2013 Azalea finally secured a deal with Mercury Records and later Island Def Jam, to release her debut album. The album was preceded by the lead single and Azalea’s commercial debut single “Work”, which successfully charted on several international music charts and peaked at No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart. The other two singles that supported the album were “Bounce”, and “Change Your Life”, the latter of which features a guest appearance from T.I.
(Photo: Hayden Roger Celestin)
