“When people think of ‘rap,’ they wouldn’t normally think of someone like me,” says IIVY B, who’s dressed in a vintage Echo sweatshirt, UGG boots, and red pigtails. She’s a Thai artist who delivers lyrics in a pitched, kawaii autotune, frequently switching up her flow over a variety of beats. “People used to call me weird, but they’re starting to get it now. My music appeals to people who listen to a lot of different genres. Most people think rap should be a certain thing. It’s kind of rap but a little hyperpop.”
IIVY B isn’t so sure if she’d be considered an “artist” by normal industry standards, but is adamant about doing things her own way regardless of what people think. “An artist should be able to do what they want,” she says while placing a finger on her pursed lips in thought. “Since being an artist is only one of my jobs, I can do what I want. I don’t feel pressured to do all the things that are expected of me.” As an influencer and freelance song writer, she’s carved out a path that allows her to take her own approach to music. For now at least, that means no performing. “I’m happy just recording and releasing music.”
“People call me weird,” IIVY B says. “I guess my lyrics are pretty weird. But I think people just weren’t familiar with my type of style. I throw that away though. Anything negative, I let it slide right off me.” Her lyrics are about things like being a regular girl, food, and her love life. Although she does what she wants, she describes a sense of responsibility for how she influences her listeners. “I never thought people would take my music too seriously until I got a DM from a fan who told me that my song kept her from killing herself. I was shocked. My motto now is be mindful.” She hopes to inspire more girls to be artists, and encourages them to be themselves. “Be happy with who you are.”
IIVY B is 22 years old now but started writing rhymes when she was just 12 years old, inspired by Thai artist ILLSLICK. She recorded her first song at 16 and her schoolmates were fans, streaming her first track on YouTube enough times to encourage her to keep going. “I did a poll in class, writing different versions of my name on the chalk board,” she laughs. She’s currently studying jazz at university and her next EP will be her thesis project for graduation.
Although most of IIVY B’s TikTok fans are Thai, most of her music fans used to be from other countries. But that’s starting to change and she says it’s about half Thai and half foreigners since she dropped “Sushi,” which is quite simply eating sushi (without wasabi). She actually got a lot of hate online from both boys and girls after her first viral track, “Miyabii.” “It made me feel bad at first, but then I realized any attention is good. They’re just hating because they’re jealous. It doesn’t matter what other people think. Happiness comes from inside.”
