Ice Spice casted in “The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants”
Ice Spice Joins SpongeBob Movie Cast and Soundtrack
From “Bikini Bottom” to the big screen: The NYC rapper’s full circle moment is here
Ice Spice’s rise to superstardom has taken her from viral TikToks to the top of the Billboard charts—and now, straight into the world of Bikini Bottom. The Bronx-born rapper, known for her playful style and unapologetic bars, is officially joining the cast of the upcoming SpongeBob SquarePants movie, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.
This casting marks a full-circle moment for the rap phenom, whose 2022 track “Bikini Bottom”—inspired by SpongeBob’s underwater hometown—was initially roasted online but quickly became a fan favorite. Now, just a few years later, Ice Spice is lending her voice and music to the very franchise that helped spark one of her early signature hits.
A Viral Past Meets a Blockbuster Future
Back in 2022, Ice Spice was still in the early stages of her breakout. Her song “Munch (Feelin’ U)” had just exploded across TikTok and streaming platforms, propelling her into the spotlight as one of New York’s most exciting new voices in drill. Riding that wave, she teased a follow-up snippet that fans immediately noticed sounded a lot like SpongeBob music. Social media lit up with jokes, but Spice took it in stride—and leaned all the way in.
She released the track officially as “Bikini Bottom”, a bouncy, quirky drill cut with cartoon-like instrumentation and her now-iconic laid-back flow. Rather than run from the SpongeBob comparisons, she embraced them, giving the track a name that paid direct homage to the animated series.
“They thought it was a joke, but now it’s one of my most loved songs,” Spice said in a 2023 interview. “I’m all about flipping narratives.”
The song became another viral hit and helped establish Ice Spice as a savvy artist who knew how to control her brand—and not take herself too seriously.
Search for SquarePants: The Next Big SpongeBob Adventure
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ice Spice has been officially cast in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, which is slated for a December 2025 release. The film is the latest in the long-running franchise and will follow SpongeBob and his friends on a new adventure that blends classic humor with a fresh twist.
While details of Spice’s character have not been revealed, she joins a cast that’s stacked with comedy and cultural heavyweights:
- Regina Hall (Scary Movie, Girls Trip)
- Sherry Cola (Good Trouble)
- Arturo Castro (Broad City)
- George Lopez
- Plus the return of longtime voice actors Tom Kenny (SpongeBob) and Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick)
Moreover, Ice Spice will also contribute a brand-new original song to the movie’s soundtrack, which is expected to feature a mix of nostalgic throwbacks and new-age collaborations, aligning with the film’s cross-generational appeal.
Why Ice Spice Makes Sense for SpongeBob
On paper, a Bronx rapper linking up with a Nickelodeon cartoon might seem like a strange pairing—but for Ice Spice, it’s a match made in Bikini Bottom.
From the start, her musical aesthetic has flirted with the absurd, the colorful, and the internet-driven. Her “Bikini Bottom” track literally sounded like SpongeBob’s underwater antics, and her music videos often carry a surreal, cartoonish energy—right in line with the SpongeBob universe.
Her playful, confident persona resonates with Gen Z audiences who grew up on SpongeBob reruns and now stream Ice Spice’s music on loop. She’s essentially a bridge between generations, making her the perfect fit for a franchise trying to stay fresh while honoring its roots.
From Viral Star to Multimedia Mogul
Ice Spice has built her brand in a way that few new artists have managed to do as effectively or as quickly. Therefore, in just three years, she’s gone from being a viral curiosity to a chart-topping, fashion-forward, brand-collaborating superstar. Her career highlights already include:
- Multiple Billboard Hot 100 entries, including hits like “Princess Diana” (with Nicki Minaj), “Barbie World” (from the Barbie soundtrack), and “Deli”
- A Grammy nomination
- Collaborations with artists like Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, and PinkPantheress
- Brand deals with SKIMS, Marc Jacobs, and Beats by Dre
- Performances at Coachella, BET Awards, and global music festivals
Her move into acting—particularly in a voice role—is a smart next step, allowing her to expand her brand into new territory without veering too far from her personality. A SpongeBob cameo gives her reach with families and children, while the humor and music keep her firmly in pop culture’s adult conversation.
Original Soundtrack: What to Expect From Her Contribution
Furthermore, one of the most anticipated elements of Spice’s involvement is her contribution to the movie’s soundtrack. Fans are already speculating about what the track will sound like. Will it be a sequel to “Bikini Bottom”? Will it be more melodic, or go full drill with underwater 808s?
Given her past experimentation, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear a blend of:
- SpongeBob-inspired melodies
- Cartoonish sound effects
- Playful, double entendre-laced bars
- And of course, a catchy hook perfect for TikTok
The SpongeBob franchise has a history of using music in creative ways—think David Bowie in Atlantis SquarePantis or Pharrell’s contributions to the SpongeBob musical—so Ice Spice’s addition fits into a longstanding tradition of blending music and animation in unexpected ways.
Hollywood Meets Hip-Hop: The Industry Is Watching
Spice’s move into acting—and particularly animated voice work—follows a path carved out by other hip-hop stars before her. Think:
- Nicki Minaj in The Angry Birds Movie 2
- Lizzo in UglyDolls
- Will Smith, whose film career exploded post-Fresh Prince
In many ways, this moment represents a rite of passage for entertainers who transcend music. It signals that a performer is no longer just making songs; they’re becoming a cultural brand—able to move fluidly between mediums.
What’s Next for Ice Spice?
With her debut album reportedly in the final stages of production and a SpongeBob movie appearance locked in, 2025 is shaping up to be Ice Spice’s biggest year yet. Here’s what’s on the horizon:
- Debut Studio Album (expected in late 2025)
- Headlining Tour Dates
- Merch collaborations and capsule drops
- More acting roles? If this film performs well, don’t be surprised if more studios come calling.
For now, all eyes are on Search for SquarePants—and the new music Spice will deliver as part of the film’s soundtrack.
From Meme to Mainstream, and Beyond
As a result, Ice Spice’s journey is a testamentu to what happens when you blend internet virality with genuine talent, business savvy, and a strong sense of self. What started as a joke about a SpongeBob-sounding beat turned into a career-defining moment—and now, a movie role in the very world that inspired it.
It’s the kind of full-circle moment that doesn’t happen often in entertainment, and it proves that in today’s culture, there’s room to turn memes into milestones.