Five Minutes Of Your Time: Iggy Azalea

Australian-born, LA-based hip-hop artist Iggy Azalea has been making waves in the US hip-hop scene since moving there at a young age. In the past year or so she has started to see those ripples spreading out around the world, helped by her controversial videos for the tracks ‘PU$$Y’ and ‘Two Times’. We caught up with her to recently to chat about hip-hop, her homeland and haters…

You moved to the USA on your own when you were fifteen – what prompted you to make the move?
I wanted more. I told my mum I was going for two weeks and still live there today. I worked hard to save for the plane fare, as she thought I was only going for two weeks she was cool at the time. There were so many adventures and stories and of course battles and struggles, but it has made me who I am today.

What do you think you would be doing if you were still in Australia? Can you ever picture yourself moving back there?
I cannot envisage myself living there now – but you can never say never. LA is my home. I am very happy there. I go to Australia to see my family and hopefully I get to go there this year on tour.

What do you miss most about Australia?
I miss my family. I miss the candy which we call lollies. The ones I liked were called Minties and Redskins. I miss being able to buy a simple lemonade icy pole (ice lolly) on every street corner.

You listened to the likes of Lou Reed and David Bowie when you were growing up – what drew you towards hip-hop?
The internet. I was trawling the internet and discovered the likes of Eminem. My world opened up. I was hooked. I wanted more. So I found more. I found a crew of Samoan boys – about 40 minute bus ride away – and we would rap together. The most laughable raps you can think of but we loved it.

You’ve claimed that half of the music industry hates you, but you seem like a fairly chilled out and likable person to us – why do you think certain people don’t like you?
Oh, there are always haters but that’s OK. It makes me stronger. I am lucky to have an amazing army of Azaleans and as a rule, I am chilled out and likable… unless of course I am hungry or you diss me, hahaha.

Do you feel that you get treated differently as a female rapper in a scene that is dominated by men?
Of course. But it is not just rap. It is the world. Anyway, everyone has different struggles or challenges in their lives… I am all good with my lot.

And finally, can you recommend us any new music?
I love Ellie Goulding. I love her voice and how she writes songs. I really want to collaborate with her.

Listen to Iggy Azalea’s new single ‘Bounce’ on Deezer below!