Ice (Kelly Rowland song)

Background and release

Following the chart success of her Lil Wayne-backed single "Motivation" (2011), Rowland started to work on her upcoming fourth studio album. She said, "I'm in the studio. Man, it's been so much fun. I do wish that some of my fans could be in there for that ... [so] I have taped a lot of moments for my fans." She went on to add that the follow-up to her third album, Here I Am, will have a theme: "I made sure that I locked in on a concept and everyone that's come in to work on this album, we've all built around it. It's just building up so beautifully. I'm so proud! So I can't wait till all of my fans hear it." On June 30, 2012, a two-minute preview of "Ice" leaked online. The full version leaked online on July 3, 2012, with Rowland tweeting: "Well, I guess you've heard #ICE... Thank you for the love and support. I'm sorry I kept yall waiting but I'm happy you love it the way I do!." On August 7, 2012, Rowland unveiled the cover art for the song. The image displays a steamy window upon which the song's title is inscribed. Rowland's name appears in oversized pink lettering as does Lil Wayne's just below. "Ice" was sent to urban radio in the United States on August 14, 2012, as the lead single from Rowland's upcoming fourth studio album, which at the time was intended to be titled Year of the Woman. It was released via iTunes Stores from August 24, 2012.

Composition

"Ice" was written by Rowland, Sean Garrett, Noel Fisher and Lil Wayne, while the production was helmed by Fisher and Garrett. The song features guest vocals from Wayne, who previously collaborated with Rowland on "Motivation". "Ice" is a slow midtempo R&B song, also considered "a melodic ballad", which features a thunderous beat, finger snaps and light synth riffs. A reviewer of DJ Booth wrote that Rowland "uses a synth-driven and stripper-friendly beat from producer Detail to set the mood, letting the world know that her man’s love is so good it gives her the chills".

Lyrically, on the song, Rowland instructs her male lover on how to properly use an ice cube on her naked body. She sings: "When you come and lay between it this time / Take the ice cube (boy you know what) / Sit it right below my navel and watch what I do / And that’s my favorite angle / My legs are numb now / Your lovin’ be givin’ me chills". During the chorus, Rowland sings: "You're like ice, I-C-E / Feels so nice, scorching me". Wayne obliges Rowland with a few double-entrendres in his sexualized verse, "Uh, ice, ice baby / Shake that a — just like dice baby / You hot and I’m Tunechi / I beat the cat, animal cruelty". " Wayne continues rapping: "Pillow under her stomach, the other pillow she bite / Would you like anything? Cause I'll do anything you like".

Critical reception

"Ice" received positive reviews from most music critics. Erika Ramirez of Billboard magazine wrote that "The slow winding song features both Ms. Kelly and Lil Wayne once again raising the temperature when behind closed doors." Rap-Up praised Rowland's vocals, writing, "The R&B diva melts the Sean Garrett-penned track with her sexy vocals." MTV UK agreed, writing "The sexy single features Kelly’s flawless vocals raising the room temperature whilst Weezy cools it down with his chilled flow." Following the same thoughts, Chris Eggersten of HitFix wrote that "'Ice' is a catchy tune that's held down by Rowland's solid vocal delivery and the unabashedly sexual lyrics that'll really fill your guilty pleasure quota for the evening." Trent Fitzgerald of PopCrush awarded it four out of five stars, writing "If you are looking for the perfect cool down then check out Kelly Rowland's new tune." Fitzgerald continued writing, "Only time will tell if ‘Ice’ will catch on and give Rowland another No. 1 R&B/Hip-Hop hit, but it does have potential." X. Alexander of Idolator realized that "it is reminiscent of the sizzling 'Motivation' (which is a very good thing)". Robbie Daw also writing from the same publication commented that "this new song just might trump the pair's previous collaboration in the Sexy Department." Nathan S. of DJ Booth praised Lil Wayne for "delivering punchline-heavy rhymes that give 'ICE's cool attitude a little heat".

However, Katherine St Asaph of Pop Dust gave the song 2.5 out of five stars, writing that the song "is more like a bath drawn and left to cool. That’s why the chorus (and the very first lyrics) can start with something as underwritten as 'you’re like ice, I-C-E, feels so nice', why the only surprise about the ice-cube play is how unceremoniously it enters the picture, why Wayne can get away with essentially the same thing he did last time around". Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly gave "Ice" a B rating and commented that "Wayne's verse is lukewarm, but her confident control over this kinky sex jam keeps the focus more on carnal desires, and less on potential frostbite."

Commercial performance

"Ice" made its debut on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, before being released for digital download. After the release, the song climbed from number 55 to number 50 and jumped from number 41 to number 26, where it peaked. On the US Billboard Hot 100 chart,"Ice" debuted at number 100. Although the song fell off the chart the following week but once again the song re-entered Hot 100 at number 100 and so far peaked at number 88. For the week ending September 2, 2012, "Ice" debuted at number 72 on the South Korea Gaon International Chart as her first ever charting single there. The following week, it peaked at number 25.

Music video

The music video for the song premiered on BET's 106 & Park on November 14, 2012, and was directed by Matthew Rolston. Lil Wayne does not appear in the video with Kelly Rowland, but she performs with background dancers.