Meaning of “Deli” by Ice Spice

Ice Spice’s song “Deli” was officially released on 21 July 2023. This happens to be the first solo track that Spice has released in 2023. All of the singles Ice Spice has thus far participated on this year, “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” with PinkPantheress, “Princess Diana” with Nicki Minaj, “Barbie World” with Nicki Minaj and Aqua and “Karma” as a feature of Taylor Swift, have been collaborations.

The initial teasing of this track came on July 7^th, where Spice apparently designated it as a song about or based on New York, i.e. her hometown. It is also known that she wrote “Deli” with its producer, RiotUSA. 

The Lyrics of “Deli”

“Deli” is all about a confident chick owning her sexy vibe, getting cash, and not being shy about it. She’s in the club or ‘deli’, shaking it up, attracting attention, and enjoying the luxury lifestyle. There are nods to flaunting wealth, enjoying high fashion, and having a good time.

The lyrics also highlight Ice Spice’s independence – she’s more interested in the money (‘fetty’) than the guy wanting her (‘he wants the WAP’). She’s also not afraid to steal a man (‘baggin’ his partner’), marking her as a tough, rule-breaking chick.

“She a baddie, she showin’ her pantie (She showin’ her pantie)
She shake it like jelly (She shake it like jelly, damn, damn)
Hundred bands in Chanel-ly (Hundred bands in Chanel-ly)
But I’m still shakin’ a– in the deli (But I’m still shakin’ a–, grrah)”

In the chorus above, what we’re dealing with here is a twerking song. The subject is being celebrated as a skimpy dresser who, despite being well paid, is “still shaking ass in the deli”. In other words, she’s a bold behind shaker, one who is willing to display her skills even in a public setting, i.e. a deli. 

And presumably, the point is supposed to be that even though the “baddie” serving as the subject is rich, she’s keeping it ‘hood nonetheless. It may also be that she’s a former stripper. But we’ll have more information tomorrow once this track is actually dropped.