Ice Spice is one of the most popular female rappers in the world. And many people are wondering HOW she’s blown up so quickly – well much of it has to do with her longtime boyfriend and producer Ephraim – who goes by the name RIOTUSA.
Ephraim and Ice Spice have been dating since college – and Media Take Out learned that he’s the spark behind her career. We’re told that in addition to producing Ice Spice’s records – he also helps her write all of her raps.
And we’re told that it’s Ephraim’s long and deep music industry ties – that allowed Ice Spice to become one of the music industry’s top artists so quickly.
Here’s the tea on Ice Spice’s “secret” boyfriend.
Ephraim, who goes by the name RIOTUSA is an American record producer, songwriter, and rapper.Born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx, he is best known for his musical productions for fellow Bronx native and rapper Ice Spice, who he met at State University of New York at Purchase in 2021.
Now for the interesting part. Ephriam has TONS on music industry connections, which he got through his father – DJ Enuff, a radio personality and disc jockey known for his work on New York City’s Hot 97 and for being the Notorious B.I.G.’s road DJ.
DJ Enuff is one of the most powerful DJs in the world. He has ties to every record label, and just about every major hip hop artist form the past 25 years. A co-sign from DJ Enuff is enough to get just about any young artist popping.
But don’t think of Ephraim as just some nepo-baby. Media Take Out spoke with multiple industry insiders who tell us that he’s inherited his father’s music talents.
One top industry executive told Media Take Out, “RiotUSA is the reason behind Ice Spice, they are like a team. He’s just as talented as she is.”
RiotUSA first gained major recognition in late 2022 after producing Ice Spice’s breakout single “Munch (Feelin’ U)”, along with her follow-up singles “Bikini Bottom” and “In Ha Mood”. He co-wrote and produced the entirety of her debut extended play, Like..? (2023), while also serving as executive producer on the project.
That same year, he produced and co-wrote “Barbie World” (with Nicki Minaj and Aqua) from the soundtrack to the 2023 film Barbie, and co-wrote the remix of “Karma”, by Taylor Swift featuring Ice Spice
