Amid ‘unavoidable cost increases,’ EKU is paying Ice Spice $275K for campus show
Eastern Kentucky University has agreed to pay $275,000 for New York rapper Ice Spice, whose hits have gone viral among Generation Z listeners, to perform on campus.
A contract for the rapper’s show, obtained by the Herald-Leader through the Kentucky Open Records Act, confirms Ice Spice’s payment. Meanwhile, the university is facing budget issues and is considering raising tuition by 2%, the Eastern Progress reported. The EKU Board of Regents will vote on the upcoming budget May 13, as it faces “unavoidable cost increases,” EKU President David McFaddin told WEKU.
Ice Spice will take the stage for 50 minutes at 8 p.m. on Aug. 21, at the Fall 2026 Big E Welcome Concert at Alumni Coliseum, according to a contract between her agents and EKU. Ice Spice is represented by Cara Lewis Group and her production agency Dolo Touring Inc.
The university paid the Cara Lewis Group $125,000 when the contract was signed on Feb. 12, 2025. Dolo Touring Inc. will receive the remaining $150,000 on the show date, according to the contract. The money will be paid “in full” to Ice Spice, the contract says.
The “Barbie World” rapper will also take home 80-90% of merchandise profit sold at the show, and EKU will receive the remaining percentage, the agreement said.
Other guarantees in Ice Spice’s contract to perform at EKU
The university will provide her with “2-3 completely dedicated, fully air-conditioned, and secure dressing room(s) with a clean toilet and hot/ cold water,” the document said. EKU will also “provide sound and lights, DJ backline, video wall, pyro and all rider requirements, per Artist specification.”
The agreement prohibits Ice Spice from performing at other universities before the EKU performance, including at the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University.
Tickets are free for students and $35 for faculty. The show is not open to the public.
Ice Spice is a decorated hip-hop star, who rose to fame from in 2022 when her song “Munch (Feelin’ U)” went viral on TikTok and was co-signed by Drake.
Her most recent single, “Big Guy,” landed in The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants, and inspired a goofy TikTok dance imitating the yellow sponge.
Sarah Baker, spokesperson for EKU, did not immediately respond to a request for details regarding why Ice Spice was chosen, how her pay was calculated, where the funds come from and university budget issues.
The Richmond Register reported that students pay a $225 per semester fee for Big E events.
This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
