Rising rapper Cleotrapa recently made headlines after unfollowing fellow artist Ice Spice on Instagram, sparking speculation and controversy. The fallout comes after Cleotrapa, who gained initial fame for her viral grammar lesson videos, accompanied Ice Spice on several stops of her Y2K! World Tour. The two artists had been friends before Ice Spice’s rise to fame, but it appears their relationship has soured, with Cleotrapa alleging that she was “played, betrayed, and unpaid” during the tour.
The drama first came to light when an X (formerly Twitter) user, @YSLONIKA, noted that Cleotrapa had unfollowed Ice Spice following the conclusion of the tour. Cleotrapa responded to this observation by confirming that she had not received any payment for her performances at Ice Spice’s concerts, further claiming that she had been mistreated during the tour. “I never had a problem with not being paid btw I knew. I just want everyone to stop thinking I was paid cause I wasn’t,” Cleotrapa tweeted, adding fuel to the fire.
cleotrapa speaking on ice spice… OH MY GOD. pic.twitter.com/yxoL8a314Q
— sam (@SAMPRlNT) September 3, 2024
Cleotrapa, born Cleo West and raised in Park Hill, Staten Island, is a Nigeria-born rapper who first gained attention through her humorous schooling videos, including the widely-shared “angel vs. angle” clip. She has since transitioned into music, releasing tracks such as her hit single “I Don’t Trap.” Her unique style and comedic approach have helped her build a following, and she has collaborated with notable artists like Summer Walker, even appearing in Walker’s “Ex For A Reason” music video.
On September 3, 2024, Cleotrapa took to TikTok to air her grievances against Ice Spice, whose real name is Isis Naija Gaston. In a series of three videos, Cleotrapa detailed the alleged mistreatment she experienced while on tour with Ice Spice. She accused Ice Spice of being “jealous, intimidated, untrustworthy, fake, disloyal, ingenuine, manipulative, and calculated.” Cleotrapa claimed that Ice Spice only invited her out for public appearances to use her for promotional purposes, rather than as a genuine friend.
— sam (@SAMPRlNT) September 3, 2024
According to Cleotrapa, her presence on the tour was not adequately promoted, and her performances were not highlighted to Ice Spice’s fanbase. She also alleged that despite having help, Ice Spice made her carry her own bags on tour and did not provide her with her own room or a rider backstage. In her final video, Cleotrapa expressed her disillusionment, saying, “I feel on this moment like I’m on tour with somebody that don’t even f**k with me for real. That’s not even really my friend.”
Cleotrapa has unfollowed her best friend ice spice on instagram. pic.twitter.com/GhyQ5OK04n
— welp. (@YSLONIKA) September 2, 2024
As of now, Ice Spice has not responded to Cleotrapa’s claims, leaving fans and followers eager to see how this situation will unfold. The fallout between the two artists has drawn significant attention online, with many speculating about the future of their relationship and what it means for their careers.
Cleotrapa’s candid revelations have struck a chord with many, highlighting the challenges and complexities of relationships in the music industry, especially when fame and success are involved. Whether or not the two will reconcile remains to be seen, but for now, Cleotrapa’s accusations have made a significant impact, drawing widespread attention and sparking conversations about the dynamics of friendship and business in the entertainment world.