Iggy Azalea has been making a name for herself since 2012 when she released her debut EP Glory featuring her first single 'Murda Bizness' featuring T.I. and then later releasing the more mainstream tracks and 'Work' and 'Bounce' that became our first real taste of what this girl could do.

Hailing from Australia and relocating to Miami when she was sixteen, Iggy provides a conundrum that is making it extremely difficult for her to break out to mainstream success. Firstly she's a blonde female which instantly puts her at a major disadvantage, especially when Nicki Minaj is really the only other female emcee to push a pop-rap crossover and see positive results. Then there's the fact that she's Australian which somehow makes it more difficult for a rapper than say Lorde.

After many agonizing setbacks and multiple single releases, Iggy has finally delivered her debut album. The New Classic has a point to prove and with so many high expectations I wasn't sure Iggy would deliver. I was so wrong.

The New Classic delivers a diverse array of music ranging from club bangers to straight up hard rap numbers to more percolating urban forays. Iggy raps about a variety of topics, although she never gets into politics like so many American rappers like to take a stab at. She keeps it simple, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have some majah moments on this strong LP.

The album appropriately starts off with her memoir of sorts on 'Walk the Line' as Iggy proclaims that there "ain't no going home now." She's on her own and her trials and tribulations fly off her tongue in a angst-infused rush much like the great Eminem. Iggy doesn't let the BPM rise too much as she then goes into 'Don't Need Y'all', a mellow reflection on letting go of the negative influences in your life before moving on to making dat money. It's a raw introspective that sets the stakes of this record.

Moving into a song that acts as a transitional moment on the record, '100' bridges the calmer side we've seen with the heart-pounding section that is to come. Accompanied by a guitar and a chorus sung by Watch the Duck, this song is the essential summer tune that would not be out of place cruising through the palm tree-lined streets of Cali.
Fittingly, 'Change Your Life' ushers in the Iggy we have grown to know and love. The big beats and more pop-infused choruses remind us of the potential that this Australian rapper has. The empowering anthem that is 'CYL' paves the way for the EDM-influenced tunes. With an electro-pop beat and a gentle cooing through the chorus, Iggy shows us her diverse style - she's just as good a dance floor diva as she is an emcee.

'Fancy' and 'Work' are two of the strongest songs in her discography, and they provide the HBIC moments that every record needs. Iggy asserts her dominance in these tracks saturated in swag and fierceness. With their massive booty-shakin' rumblings and prophetic choruses, it's only logical that she spouts "I be the I-G-G-Y. Put my name in bold." And don't forget it.

It's only logical that 'Bounce', perhaps her biggest club banger of all, be included on the album. But why is it only a bonus track? It's one of the strongest efforts on the album and deserves to have higher priority. With some of the illest raps and sickest beats, 'Bounce' can get anyone on the dance floor.

The record then takes a darker turn, venturing into the depths of the human condition starting with 'Impossible Is Nothing'. Although it's an empowerment anthem about overcoming hurdles and obstacles, it features a dark pulsating beat with tiny chilling tinklings. The highlight of the record, and my personal favorite track, is Iggy's F-U moment. 'Goddess' features Iggy spitting rhymes asserting her power over an epic production that features an insane guitar riff during the bridge as the BPM rises and the beat goes in ten directions at once. It's truly the eargasm moment.

'Black Widow' is just begging to be a single, and after the only relevant thing Rita Ora has ever done of ripping off Zac Efron's shirt at the MTV Movie Awards, this may give her much needed credibility. Over a trap hip-hop backing that could be massive in the clubs, Rita and Iggy take turns trading off as they tell all the men out there that they're gonna treat them like a black widow. Their love is diabolical.

'Lady Patra' and 'Fuck Love' round out the album, bringing in more experimental moments. 'Lady Patra' while I love the Caribbean influences is quite underwhelming. The chorus solely consists of Iggy saying word after word, the only thing tying them together is the rhyme. 'Fuck Love' is just a fun hip-hop club banger that plays with the idea of wanting money more than love. I love the shoutout to Madonna's 'Material Girl' though.

While it lacks the depth that many emcees bring to their records, Iggy has crafted a solid pop-rap debut that will give her a foothold on the American market from which she can further develop her craft and expand her dominance in the music scene. She has an uphill battle ahead of her, but with gems like 'Black Widow' and 'Goddess', Iggy may become a household name in no time.

Tracks to Check Out: 'Fancy', 'Goddess', 'Black Widow', 'Bounce'

Overall Rating: 8/10