Brief Introduction of Iggy Azalea
Amethyst Amelia Kelly, known professionally as Iggy Azalea, is an Australian rapper, songwriter, and model who rose to global prominence in the early 2010s. Born in Sydney and raised in Mullumbimby, New South Wales, she moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a career in hip-hop music. Azalea first gained recognition with her viral music videos for songs like “Pu$$y” and “Two Times.” Her debut studio album, “The New Classic” (2014), achieved mainstream success, largely driven by the chart-topping single “Fancy” featuring Charli Xcx. The song’s immense popularity made her a household name and solidified her position in the international music scene. Azalea is also known for her distinctive Southern American drawl in her rapping, a style she adopted after moving to the U.S.
Iggy Azalea Overview
| Full Name | Amethyst Amelia Kelly |
| Date of Birth | June 7, 1990 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 35 |
| Birthplace | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Profession | Rapper, singer, songwriter, businesswoman, model |
| Husband/Wife | Not married |
| Family | Brendan Kelly (Father), Tanya Kelly (Mother), Onyx Kelly (Son) |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Previously dated Playboi Carti, Nick Young, and A$AP Rocky |
| Net Worth | Estimated to be between $23 million and $25 million |
Early Life and Education of Iggy Azalea
Iggy Azalea was born Amethyst Amelia Kelly in Sydney, Australia, and grew up in the rural town of Mullumbimby, New South Wales. Her father, Brendan Kelly, was a painter and comic artist, and her mother, Tanya, cleaned holiday homes and hotels. From a young age, Azalea was drawn to hip-hop, citing artists like Tupac Shakur as major influences. Feeling like an outsider in her own country, she dreamed of moving to America, the birthplace of the genre. To fund her dream, she dropped out of high school and began working with her mother, cleaning houses. Shortly before her 16th birthday, she traveled to the United States, initially telling her parents she was going on a holiday, but she soon informed them of her intention to stay and pursue her music career. After arriving in the U.S., she lived in Miami, Houston, and Atlanta, where she was influenced by the Southern rap scene.
Iggy Azalea’s Career
Iggy Azalea’s career began to gain traction after she moved to Los Angeles in 2011 and released her first full-length project, a mixtape titled “Ignorant Art.” The music videos for her songs “Pu$$y” and “My World” went viral on YouTube, quickly increasing her online visibility. In 2012, she was featured on the cover of XXL’s “Top 10 Freshman List,” a significant co-sign in the hip-hop community. Soon after, she signed with rapper T.I.’s Grand Hustle record label. Her debut commercial single, “Work,” was released in 2013, followed by her signing with Mercury Records. Her breakthrough came with the release of her debut studio album, “The New Classic,” in April 2014. The album’s fourth single, “Fancy,” featuring Charli XCX, became a global phenomenon, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She followed this success with a feature on Ariana Grande‘s hit “Problem,” which peaked at number two on the Hot 100, making Azalea the second artist after The Beatles to simultaneously hold the top two spots with their first two charting hits. The album also included the successful single “Black Widow” featuring Rita Ora. After her initial success, Azalea faced label conflicts that delayed her subsequent projects. She eventually left her major-label deal and became an independent artist, creating her own label, Bad Dreams Records. She went on to release an EP, “Survive the Summer” (2018), and two more studio albums, “In My Defense” (2019) and “The End of an Era” (2021). In 2024, Azalea announced her retirement from music.
Iggy Azalea Personal Life & Family
Iggy Azalea’s personal life has often been a subject of public interest. She has been in several high-profile relationships. From 2011 to 2012, she dated rapper A$AP Rocky. In 2013, she began a relationship with NBA player Nick Young, and they became engaged in June 2015. However, the engagement was called off a year later. Azalea then dated rapper Playboi Carti, and in 2020, she announced the birth of their son, Onyx Kelly. Later that year, she confirmed that she and Carti had split and that she would be raising her son as a single mother. Azalea has been open about having undergone cosmetic procedures, including breast augmentation and a rhinoplasty, stating she believes in being honest about such decisions. She became a permanent resident of the United States in 2018.
Awards and Achievements of Iggy Azalea
- American Music Awards for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album (“The New Classic”) (2014)
- Billboard Music Awards for Top Streaming Artist, Top Rap Artist, and Top Rap Song (“Fancy”) (2015)
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video (“Problem” with Ariana Grande) (2014)
- People’s Choice Award for Favorite Hip-Hop Artist (2015)
- Teen Choice Awards (multiple wins)
- Four Grammy Award nominations, including Best New Artist and Record of the Year for “Fancy” (2015)
- GQ Australia’s Woman of the Year (2016)
- ARIA Music Award for Breakthrough Artist (2014)
Iggy Azalea Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Iggy Azalea’s net worth is estimated to be between $23 million and $25 million. Her wealth has been accumulated through a variety of sources. A significant portion of her income comes from her music career, including album sales, streaming royalties, and live performances. She has also earned substantial income from brand endorsements and partnerships with fashion and beauty companies. In recent years, Azalea has ventured into other business endeavors. She launched a subscription-based service on OnlyFans, which reportedly became a major revenue stream. Additionally, she sold her master recording and publishing catalog in an eight-figure deal, further boosting her net worth. She has also been involved in ventures related to cryptocurrency and co-founded a telecommunications company.
Legacy and Influence
Iggy Azalea’s career has left a notable mark on the music industry, particularly in the 2010s. She broke barriers as a non-American, white female rapper achieving mainstream success in a genre predominantly rooted in Black American culture. Her 2014 hit “Fancy” was a cultural touchstone, with its “Clueless”-inspired music video becoming iconic. Her chart success, which saw her simultaneously holding the top two spots on the Billboard Hot 100, was a rare feat. However, her position in the hip-hop world has also been a topic of debate and controversy, with discussions surrounding cultural appropriation often linked to her career. Despite the controversies, she has been cited as one of the best-selling female rappers. Her entrepreneurial ventures in her later career, particularly her success on creator platforms and in business, showcase a strategic shift in monetizing her brand and influence beyond traditional music industry models.
Interesting Facts about Iggy Azalea
- Her stage name is a combination of the name of her childhood dog, Iggy, and the street her family lived on, Azalea Street.
- Before her music career took off, she worked with her mother cleaning hotel rooms and holiday houses to save money for her move to the U.S.
- She is the only artist besides The Beatles to rank at number one and two simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 with their first two charting singles.
- She dropped out of high school to pursue her music career.
- She had an acting role in the 2015 blockbuster film “Furious 7”.
- Tacos are her favorite food.
- She is a fan of the TV show “Game of Thrones” and the “Harry Potter” series.
Controversies
Throughout her career, Iggy Azalea has been a part of several public controversies. A significant and recurring point of contention has been the accusation of cultural appropriation. Critics have argued that as a white, Australian woman, her adoption of a Southern American accent in her rapping and her position within the hip-hop genre, which is deeply rooted in Black culture, is problematic. She has also been involved in public feuds with other artists and celebrities, which have often played out on social media. Her lyrics have also faced scrutiny at times. These controversies have contributed to her being a polarizing figure in the music industry.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Approximately 17 million followers
- Twitter – Approximately 7.7 million followers
- YouTube – Approximately 8.3 million subscribers
Final Words about Iggy Azalea
Iggy Azalea’s journey from a small town in Australia to the top of the global music charts is a testament to her ambition and determination. She carved out a unique space for herself in the competitive world of hip-hop, achieving a level of commercial success that few artists experience. While her career has been marked by both incredible highs and significant controversies, she has shown resilience in navigating the pressures of fame. In recent years, Azalea has transitioned her focus from music to various business ventures, demonstrating a keen sense for entrepreneurship and brand building. Her announcement of retiring from music indicates a new chapter in her life, where she continues to build her legacy as a multifaceted businesswoman. Her story remains a compelling example of a modern artist leveraging fame into diverse avenues of success.