Ice Slippin

Last updated
"Ice Slippin"
Single by Omar Apollo
from the album Live for Me EP
ReleasedAugust 26, 2023 (2023-08-26)
Genre Synth-pop
Length4:15
Label Warner
Songwriter(s) Teo Halm, Omar Velasco
Producer(s) Teo Halm, Omar Velasco
Omar Apollo singles chronology
"3 Boys"
(2023)
"Ice Slippin"
(2023)
"Live For Me"
(2023)

"Ice Slippin" is a song by American singer-songwriter Omar Apollo. It was released on 25 August 2023 through Warner Records. The song was inspired by Apollo's experience of coming out to his family.

Contents

Background

"Ice Slippin" was Apollo's second single of 2023 and the first track from his EP Live For Me. Apollo first teased the song in May 2023, posting a snippet to his social media. Apollo explained that the song is about "reliving the thoughts I had passing through my mind the winter I came out to my family, receiving cold judgment as opposed to the acceptance I felt I deserved. This song is a reflection and reaction of all the emotions I had to face before and after I decided to leave the icy streets of Indiana." [1]

Before the song's release, "Ice Slippin" was promoted with three life-size ice sculptures of Apollo, located in Los Angeles, New York and London. [2]

The song was written and produced by Apollo and his frequent collaborator Teo Halm. [3]

Music video

The New York duo Rubberband directed the song's music video. The video represents the "final millisecond of one's life", showing Apollo in an icy environment, cut with photos and home videos of his family and younger years. [4]

The music video was short-listed for Best Music Video at the 2023 Ciclope Festival Awards. [5]

Critical reception

Suzy Exposito of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "the song and video paint an evocative portrait of a young gay man who is pushed to make an impossible choice: to live as his most authentic self or to be part of a family he loves dearly." [6] Robin Murray of Clash said, "Omar has a way with words that taps straight to the heart". [7] Joshua Donovan of DNA noted, "His lyrics read like a reflective journal entry but also like a form of catharsis". [8]

Accolades

Year-end lists

Critics' rankings for Ice Slippin
PublicationAccoladeRankRef.
Billboard The 25 Best Pride Songs of 2023: Staff PicksUnranked
[9]
i-D The 100 best songs of 2023
95
Out 30 Best Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists of 2023
16
Them Our 23 Favorite Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists in 2023Unranked
Time The Best Latin Songs and Albums of 2023Unranked

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay anthem</span> A meaningful song for the LGBT community

A gay anthem is a popular song that has become widely popular among, or has become identified with, the gay community, although some of these songs have also become anthems for the wider LGBT community. Not all songs labelled as "gay anthems" were written intentionally to become gay anthems, but those that do are often marked by themes of perseverance, inner strength, acceptance, pride, and unity. Research in 2007 suggested that the song most commonly identified as a gay anthem is "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and described the song as "a classic emblem of gay culture in the post-Stonewall and AIDS eras".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Was a Good Day</span> 1993 single by Ice Cube

"It Was a Good Day" is a song by American rapper Ice Cube, released on February 21, 1993 as the second single from his third solo album, The Predator (1992). The song peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 27 on the UK Charts. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at No. 15, making it Ice Cube's highest-charting single on the chart to date. The song's lyrics describe a generic pleasant day from his life; according to Ice Cube, he had no specific date in mind, though several attempts have been made to identify one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rubberband Girl</span> 1993 single by Kate Bush

"Rubberband Girl" is a song by English singer-songwriter Kate Bush that was the first of five singles released from her seventh studio album, The Red Shoes (1993). The song marked Bush's return from her third three-year hiatus. Not counting "Rocket Man", this was her first UK release in 39 months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troye Sivan</span> Australian singer (born 1995)

Troye Sivan Mellet is an Australian singer-songwriter and actor. After gaining popularity as a singer on YouTube and in Australian talent competitions, Sivan signed with EMI Australia in 2013 and released his third EP, TRXYE (2014), which peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200. Its lead single, "Happy Little Pill", reached the top 10 on Australian music charts. In 2015, he released his fourth extended play, Wild, followed by his debut studio album, Blue Neighbourhood. The album's lead single, "Youth", became Sivan's first single to enter the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 23.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Dragon</span> Swedish electronic band

Little Dragon are a Swedish electronic music band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 1996. The band consists of Yukimi Nagano, Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrik Wallin (bass) and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Lambert</span> American singer (born 1982)

Adam Mitchel Lambert is an American singer, songwriter and actor. Since 2009, he has sold over 3 million albums and 5 million singles worldwide. Lambert is known for his dynamic vocal performances that combine his theatrical training with modern and classic genres.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+(LGBTQ+)music is music that focuses on the experiences of gender and sexual minorities as a product of the broad gay liberation movement.

Robin Hannibal Mølsted Braun is a Danish record producer and songwriter, best known for being one half of the musical duo Quadron and for being a founding member of Rhye, which he has since left. Besides being involved in both, he is also known for producing two tracks for Little Dragon's Nabuma Rubberband and received co-writing credits for Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe by Kendrick Lamar, as the song contained a sample of "Tiden Flyver" performed by his band Boom Clap Bachelors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teo Halm</span> American record producer, songwriter, and actor

Teo Lucas Halm is an American record producer, songwriter, singer, and actor. Halm's notable production and songwriting credits include the Rosalía singles "Con Altura" with J Balvin and "TKN" with Travis Scott, the former which won a Latin Grammy Award, Evergreen by Omar Apollo, as well as two songs from the Beyoncé-produced The Lion King: The Gift. As an actor, Halm is best known for starring in the 2014 film Earth to Echo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omar Rudberg</span> Swedish singer

Omar Josué Rudberg is a Venezuelan-Swedish singer and actor. Before launching his solo music career in 2018, he gained recognition and began his professional music career in 2013 as a member of the only Swedish boy band FO&O. He is best known internationally for his starring role as Simon Eriksson in the Netflix teen series Young Royals (2021–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saweetie</span> American rapper (born 1993)

Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, known professionally as Saweetie, is an American rapper and singer. After the release of her debut single "Icy Grl" in 2017, she was signed to her then-manager Max Gousse's record label Artistry Worldwide, a subsidiary of Warner Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crushed Up</span> 2019 song by Future

"Crushed Up" is a song by American rapper Future, released on January 4, 2019 as the lead single from his seventh studio album The Wizrd, which was released two weeks later. The song was produced by Wheezy, Matt Cap and Ricky Racks, all three of whom co-wrote the song with Future. The song finds Future singing about his luxurious lifestyle, especially regarding jewelry and diamonds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist</span>

The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist is an annual award that honors music artists who are either openly queer or allies and have used their music to increase acceptance of the LGBT community. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization—at ceremonies held primarily in New York City and Los Angeles between March and May.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omar Apollo</span> American musician (born 1997)

Omar Apolonio Velasco, known professionally as Omar Apollo, is an American singer and songwriter. After signing a record deal with Warner Records, his debut album, Ivory, was released in 2022 to positive reviews, and earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. Apollo sings in both English and Spanish.

<i>Friends</i> (Omar Apollo EP) 2019 EP by Omar Apollo

Friends is the second EP by American singer-songwriter Omar Apollo. It was released independently on April 10, 2019, preceded by the singles "Trouble" and "Ashamed".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baila Conmigo (Selena Gomez and Rauw Alejandro song)</span> 2021 single by Selena Gomez and Rauw Alejandro

"Baila Conmigo" is a song by American singer Selena Gomez and Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro for Gomez's fourth extended play Revelación (2021). It was written by Jorge A. Diaz, Edgar Barrera, Alejandro Borrero, Gomez, Abner Cordero Boria, Tainy, Ivanni Rodríguez, Alberto Carlos Melendez, Elena Rose, Alejandro, and Christopher Carballo Ramos, while the production was handled by NEON16, Jota Rosa, Albert Hype, and Tainy. The song was released for digital download and streaming by Interscope Records on January 29, 2021, as the second single from the EP. A Spanish language slow-wind reggaeton song with bouncy midtempo drum rhythms, it is about dance and desire, despite there being a language barrier between the singers. The track received widely positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its danceable and catchy rhythm and the singers' vocals.

<i>Ivory</i> (Omar Apollo album) 2022 studio album by Omar Apollo

Ivory is the debut studio album by American singer Omar Apollo, released on April 8, 2022, by Warner Records. The album was promoted by five singles: "Go Away", "Bad Life", "Invincible", "Killing Me" and "Tamagotchi". The album's deluxe edition, titled Ivory (Marfil), featuring five additional tracks including the singles "Archetype" and "Highlight", was released on August 12, 2022. On October 4, 2022, "Evergreen" was released as the overall album's eighth single and Apollo's first radio single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me at All)</span> 2022 single by Omar Apollo

"Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me at All)" (album version titled "Evergreen") is a song by American singer Omar Apollo. On October 4, 2022, it was sent to contemporary hit radio after it had gone viral on TikTok in September 2022. The song serves as the eighth single off Apollo's debut studio album Ivory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamagotchi (Omar Apollo song)</span> 2022 single by Omar Apollo

Tamagotchi is a song by American singer Omar Apollo from his debut studio album Ivory (2022). It was released as the album's fifth single on March 23, 2022. The song was written by Apollo, Maye, and Najai Washington and produced by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes. It is named after the Japanese toy of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3 Boys</span> 2023 single by Omar Apollo

"3 Boys" is a song by American singer-songwriter Omar Apollo. It was released on 16 February 2023 through Warner Records. It lyrically speaks of the protagonist accepting his partner's suggestion of a ménage à trois only to find out it will not work out, describing polyamory as resentments waiting to happen. "3 Boys" was included on the soundtrack of the 2023 queer romantic comedy film "Red, White & Royal Blue".

References

  1. Gonzelez, Alex (25 August 2023). "Omar Apollo Recalls A Formative Life Experience On His New Single, 'Ice Slippin'". Uproxx. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  2. "Omar Apollo Drops New Track "Ice Slippin," Announces 'Live for Me' EP". Hypebeast. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  3. Paul, Larisha (25 August 2023). "Omar Apollo Leaves Home in Search of Healing on New Single 'Ice Slippin'". RollingStone. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  4. "Omar Apollo 'Ice Slippin by rubberband". Promonews. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  5. "CICLOPE Festival announces its 2023 Shortlist". Ciclope Festival. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  6. "Column: Why Omar Apollo's coming-out story matters". Los Angeles Times. September 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  7. Murray, Robin (25 August 2023). "Omar Apollo Amplifies His Skills On 'Ice Slippin'". Clash. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  8. Donovan, Joshua (5 September 2023). "Omar Apollo Reveals Emotional Coming-Out Journey In Music Vid For "Ice Slippin"". DNA. DNA Magazine. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  9. "The 25 Best Pride Songs of 2023: Staff Picks". Billboard. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  10. "The 100 best songs of 2023". i-D. Vice Media Group. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  11. Rude, Mey. "The 30 Best Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists of 2023, Ranked". Out. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  12. "Our 23 Favorite Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists in 2023". Them. Condé Nast. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  13. Mendez II, Moises (19 December 2023). "The Best Latin Songs and Albums of 2023". Time. TIME USA, LLC. Retrieved 19 December 2023.