Top 10 Iggy Azalea Songs

Photo: Laura Murray, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our top 10 Iggy Azalea songs list looks at the body of work of an Australian-born singer who achieved global fame after the release of her debut mixtape Ignorant Art (2011). Born in 1990, Iggy Azalea ignited her music career at fourteen when she began rapping. At first, she started with forming a girl band with friends from the neighborhood. However, after realizing that her counterparts were not as enthusiastic as she was, she decided to disband the group. In a world where education has been termed the key to success, not many parents would allow a teenager to drop out from school to pursue their “dream.”

Not only did Iggy Azalea drop out of high school, but she also moved from her native land Australia for America, in pursuit of her music dream. Coming from a family not financially stable meant that she had to work hard to raise funds for her travel needs. Some might ask, “Why move to the US while you still can start your music career in Aussie?” Iggy Azalea had an answer for that! First, she felt like a foreigner in Australia for her love for hip-hop, which was not the most popular music genre in the country. Hence, there was no better place to be than in the motherland of the hip-hop genre. Secondly, the hip-hop scene in the US was and still is flourishing; thus, it would make more sense for her to start her career there.

Iggy Azalea wasted no time after getting to the US having her work with a member of the Dungeon Family. At her early days in the US, she interacted with Natalie Sims and FKi, with whom she would make songs with later in her career. Iggy Azalea stamped her presence in the music scene after the release of her debut mixtape Ignorant Art (2011). The mixtape featured a number of reputable names in the hip hop industry, including YG, Problem, Chevy Jones, and Joe Moses.

When looking for the perfect director for her debut album, Iggy Azalea settled for the legendary rapper and record producer T.I. At this, Iggy Azalea was battling out for an audience with other new artists in the rapping game, such as Machine Gun Kelly, Roscoe Dash, French Montana, Hopsin, and Danny Brown. One of her biggest collaborations at the start of her music industry was “Beat Down” by Steve Aoki and Angger Dimas. Iggy Azalea would, in mid-2012, hit the road for an MTV Tour performing alongside Kirko Bangz and Tyga.

It was a magnificent scene watching Iggy Azalea go for a mini-concert tour alongside iconic British singer Rita Ora. Soon after, she was tagged in Rita Ora’s UK tour as her opening act. However, the big break was yet to come for the Australian-born Iggy Azalea. All this time, she interacted and shared stages with other artists such as Nas, Beyoncé, and Jennifer Lopez.

While several singles had stamped her dominance on the mic, it took her number one song on the Billboard Hot 100, “Fancy,” to award her the reputation she deserved. The song featured English singer Charli XCX. It took over charts, becoming one of her most memorable songs to date. The battle for best female rapper title was up for grabs for the Aussie icon having Iggy Azalea become the only musician since The Beatles to have a number one and number two songs on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. This was after “Problems,” which she was featured on by Ariana Grande, rose to the number two song on the chart.

Sadly, her promising career was plagued with setbacks that affected her rise to stardom. Racism accusations were the biggest issue she had to battle in her primes. However, Iggy Azalea would try to remind many that she grew up looking up to household names like Missy Elliot and Lil’ Kim. Not many would be convinced by Iggy’s defense. The controversy left Iggy Azalea struggling to stabilize her career. It has never been the same for the enthusiastic rapper from Australia since then. However, her mark in the hip-hop industry remains visible for all to see!

#10 – Started

Ushering us to the top 10 Iggy Azalea songs is the hit “Started.” The song is featured on her sophomore studio album, In My Defense (2019). Iggy Azalea teamed up with Ronny Wright in penning the song. The hit is majorly inspired by “Started from The Bottom” by Drake. In the song, the artist wishes to remind her audience that she is more than proud of her tough journey to stardom. The song rose to a peak position of number seventy-six on the UK Singles Chart.

#9 – Trouble ft. Jennifer Hudson

After collaborating with Jennifer Hudson in her song “He Ain’t Going Anywhere,” Jennifer returned the “favor” by featuring on her song “Trouble.” The song is featured on Reclassified (2014). “Trouble” took Jennifer Hudson by surprise, knowing that she would team up again with Iggy Azalea, who she termed to be an exceptional talent. Jennifer Hudson’s wonderful singing adds glamor to Iggy Azalea’s rapping, making the song a perfect release. The song was successful, having it peak at number sixty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

#8- Bounce

“Bounce” is one of Iggy Azalea’s jewels from her debut album, The New Classic (2014). Compared to other releases from the album, “Bounce” feels more like a party anthem. You can also feel the shift of the song to some pop style. Iggy Azalea was a little paranoid about releasing songs that felt too inclined to pop but thanks to Nas, who encouraged her to do it anyway. The gamble paid off, and now “Bounce” ranks among the best Iggy Azalea songs. “Bounce” peaked at number thirteen on the UK Singles Chart.

#7 – Change Your Life ft. T.I.

Interacting with T.I. saw the two hit the studio for a collaborative song, “Change Your Life.” Iggy Azalea reminds her audience that she is still a queen worth mentioning in the rap game with this mid-tempo rap hit. The song is a little personal having it inspired by Iggy’s dating experiences. “Change Your Life” peaked at number ten on the UK Singles Chart.

#6 – Go hard or Go Home ft. Wiz Khalifa

Number six on our top 10 Iggy Azalea songs is the smashing hit “Go Hard or Go Home.” The song is featured on the soundtrack to the famous film Fast & Furious 7. Like the title suggests, the song alludes to reaping the most from all opportunities while giving it your all. While the song debuted at the hundredth position on the Billboard Hot 100, it rose to a peak position of number eighty-six.

#5 – Team

When Iggy Azalea’s music career was plagued by a few setbacks, she shelved her to-be-released sophomore studio album Digital Distortion. However, she released several songs from the album as singles, including “Team.” “Team” finds the Australian rapper exuding confidence and portraying her independence. The song feels like a “Hi, What’s Up haters! I can look after myself and be my biggest cheerleader!” “Team” was penned by Iggy Azalea, Bebe Rexha, and Lauren Christy. The song peaked at number forty-two on the Billboard Hot 100.

#4- Kream ft. Tyga

“Kream” brings us to one of Iggy Azalea’s most successful collaborations. The song finds her teaming up with Tyga for a release in her 2018 Survive the Summer EP. Initially, the song was also featured on the scrapped album Digital Distortion. “Kream” samples the hit “C.R.E.A.M.” by the American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. The song eventually peaked at number ninety-six on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

#3- Work

Coming in at number three in our top 10 Iggy Azalea songs is the melodic song “Work.” The song is featured on the album The New Classic (2014). “Work” finds Iggy Azalea singing about how she had to toil to get to where she is currently. She had to leave her family and go to the US without much money and try her luck in the competitive yet flourishing hip-hop scene. It all paid-off, and now all we are left to remember is her past through this song that motivates us to put in the “Work.” The song received some nice reception having it rise to number fifty-four on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

#2 – Black Widow ft. Rita Ora

“Black Widow” is a successful trap-pop collaborative song by Iggy Azalea featuring Rita Ora. The song was penned by Iggy Azalea, Sarah Hudson, Stargate, Katy Perry, and the award-winning songwriter Benny Blanco. “Black Widow” alludes to remorseless vengeance in a botched romantic relationship.

The song’s title refers to the venomous spider that lures males only to devour them after the mating encounter ends. Hence, Iggy Azalea uses the spider metaphorically to allude to a manipulative woman in a relationship. Other songs that pay homage to the venomous spider’s name include “Black Widow” by Cage the Elephant, “Werewolf Women of the SS” by Rob Zombie, and “Gold Dust Woman” by Fleetwood Mac. Iggy Azalea’s “Black Widow” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

#1- Fancy ft. Charli XCX

Number one on the top 10 Iggy Azalea songs is the bubbly hit “Fancy.” “Fancy” finds Iggy Azalea collaborating with Charli XCX, where she lets the world understand why she is a reputable and hot female rapper. The song feels more of a pop-rap hit spiced up with electro-hop elements.

“Fancy” ushered Iggy Azalea to newfound fame having the song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Amazingly, the song was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Record of the Year categories. However, the song lost to “Say Something” by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera and “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith, respectively.