Definition of ice up

The phrase "ice up" is a slang term commonly used in hip-hop and urban culture to describe someone who is calmly and confidently asserting their dominance or authority in a particular situation. The phrase originated in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during the golden age of East Coast hip-hop. The phrase "ice up" is a nod to the rapper Jay-Z's 1998 hit song "Can I Live." In the refrain of the song, Jay-Z repeatedly says, "Ice cold, I'm not the type of n***a you can tell nothin' to." The use of the word "ice" in this context is a metaphor for being cool, calm, and collected, much like a piece of ice doesn't melt under pressure. With the rise of gangster rap and its focus on street culture, "ice up" has become a commonly used phrase to describe someone from the streets who is able to maintain a cool and collected demeanor even in dangerous and volatile situations. The phrase is also used in rap lyrics as a metaphor for the way bling and ice (or jewelry) can make a person appear more powerful and authoritative. In summary, "ice up" originated in the late 1990s and early 2000s as a term used in hip-hop and urban culture to describe someone who is calmly and confidently asserting their dominance or authority, much like a piece of ice that remains cool and collected under pressure. The use of the word "ice" in this context is a metaphor for being cool, calm, and collected.