by It’s been seven years since Saweetie first slid onto the scene with ICY GRL. Now, after countless singles, platinum plaques, and viral moments, The Bay Area rapper is finally delivering her long-awaited official debut studio album, set to drop in the summer of 2025.
For the much-anticipated release, Saweetie is digging deep, embracing personal growth, global sounds, and real-life experiences to craft a project that reflects who she is today, not just the icy princess the world met in 2017.
Saweetie has been on a journey of self-discovery. Over the past year, she’s been traveling across Africa, soaking up the culture, sounds, and energy of different regions. Those experiences have shaped the music on this project, making it a versatile and worldly body of work.
“I feel like I found my voice in Africa,” Saweetie tells InStyle. “America’s culture is like Hollywood. It’s financial. It’s capitalism. Where is the culture within humanity? I think that’s why I’ve been soul-searching, because I wanted to have pride in who I am as a woman. Like, where do I come from? What do I believe in? What do I stand for? What do I not stand for? What do I love? What do I notlove? And because I went through a lot of those emotions in Africa, it helped me pull back so many layers of this wall that I put up… If you stay [there] long enough, you develop your own family.”
She continued: “In Africa, they’re all going with the flow, they’re not rushed. What I found is [that] when you surrender to divine timing, everything falls into place, rather than trying to force something to happen.”
That means fans can expect a fresh take on her signature ICY sound, blending influences from Afrobeats, R&B, and international hip-hop into a project that’s as bold and boundary-pushing as she is.
Even though it’s her first full album, Saweetie has been putting on for the culture. Over the past few years, she’s dropped hit after hit, including “Tap In,” a viral smash that had TikTok on tilt, proving she could keep the momentum going after ICY GRL. There’s “Best Friend” (feat. Doja Cat), which dominated the charts and became a cultural reset, celebrating female friendship and boss energy. “Closer” (feat. H.E.R.) is a sleek, R&B-infused hit that showcased her softer side and her ability to make club-ready bangers with a melodic twist. Finally, “NANi” (feat. Wizkid), her first major step into the Afrobeats lane, previewing the global energy she’s bringing to her upcoming album.
On the collab side, she’s been stacking up high-profile features, linking with artists like Nicki Minaj, Burna Boy, and SZA for some unreleased heat that’s rumored to be on the album. According to the streets, Saweetie might even have a Beyoncé co-sign in the works, but that’s still under wraps.
With the album finally on the way, Saweetie isn’t just stopping at music. She’s been eyeing Hollywood, and after testing the waters with minor roles in TV and film, she’s seriously considering stepping into acting full-time post-album release.
“I love the creative process of making music, but I also love storytelling in different ways,” she said. “Acting is something I’ve been passionate about, and after this album, I want to fully explore it.”
There’s even talk of a Netflix original series in development, with Saweetie possibly playing a lead role in a coming-of-age drama centered around music, fashion, and street culture.
From a viral freestyle to a global star, Saweetie has proven that she’s more than just a social media sensation. Summer 2025 is about to get icy, global, and way more personal. Stay tuned.
