Ice Spice: Will She Face Legal Consequences for Her “Deli” Music Video Featuring Aya Tanjali?

Ice Spice's music video for "Deli" has sparked controversy after it was revealed that the video features a 16-year-old TikToker twerking in a sexually suggestive manner. Some people believe that the video is exploitative and promotes the sexualization of children, while others defend the video as simply a reflection of Ice Spice's personal style. It is not yet clear whether Ice Spice will face legal consequences for the video. Read more to learn more about the controversy and the legal implications of the video.

Q + ASTATE LAWNEW YORKPUBLIC FIGURESICE SPICE

Graham Settleman

8/16/20234 min read

a woman with an afro and a black and white background
a woman with an afro and a black and white background

Ice Spice is a rising hip-hop artist who recently released a music video for her song "Deli." The video features a 16-year-old TikToker named Aya Tanjali twerking in various scenes throughout. This has sparked controversy, as some people believe that the video is exploitative and promotes the sexualisation of children.

Ice Spice has defended the video, saying that it is simply a reflection of her own personal style and that she does not believe that it is exploitative. However, many people have criticized the video, and it has been removed from YouTube.

It is possible that Ice Spice could face legal consequences for the video. The production of child pornography is a serious crime in many countries, and the video in question could be considered to be child pornography under some definitions.

The Ice Spice music video controversy is a reminder of the importance of being aware of the legal and ethical implications of one's work. When working with minors, it is important to take steps to protect them from harm. This includes avoiding any content that could be considered child pornography.

Here are some additional quick facts about the controversy:

  • The video was released on July 26, 2023.

  • The video was directed by David LaChapelle.

  • The video was shot in New York City.

  • The video has been viewed over 1 million times on YouTube.

  • The video has been criticized by many people, including child safety advocates and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

  • The video has been removed from YouTube.

  • It is not yet clear whether Ice Spice will face legal consequences for the video.

In the wake of this whole situation, many people are still left with a myriad of questions, so in this post, I will do my best to share some insights that might clear up some confusion on the matter and make things easier to understand. Let’s take this one question at a time.

Is it illegal for a minor to twerk on video?

Yes, it is illegal for a minor to twerk on video in the United States. The production of child pornography is a federal crime under Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 2256. This law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. Twerking can be considered sexually explicit conduct if it involves the minor moving their hips and buttocks in a way that is intended to be sexually suggestive.


In addition to federal law, many states also have laws that make it illegal for minors to produce or distribute child pornography. These laws can be even more strict than federal law, and they can also include penalties for adults who encourage or coerce minors to produce child pornography.

If a minor is caught twerking on video, they could face criminal charges, including possession of child pornography, production of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography. They could also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

It is important to note that the legality of twerking on video can depend on the specific circumstances. For example, if the minor is twerking in a private setting and the video is not distributed to anyone else, it is less likely that they will face criminal charges. However, if the minor is twerking in a public setting or if the video is distributed to others, they are more likely to face criminal charges.

What if it is for a professional music video?

Even if it is for a professional music video, it is still illegal for a minor to twerk on video in the United States. The production of child pornography is a serious crime, and it does not matter if the video is intended for commercial or artistic purposes.

Realistically speaking, it is not worth the risk for minors to twerk on video, even if it is for a professional music video. The legal consequences could be severe, and one should seriously contemplate the risks involved with being labelled a sex offender when creating content that includes and portrays minors.

If you are a minor who is considering twerking on video for a music video (or any video for that matter), it is important to talk to your parents or a trusted adult about the risks involved. You should also be aware of the laws in your state regarding the production of child pornography.

Will Ice Spice get in trouble for having a minor twerking in her "Deli" music video?

It is entirely possible that Ice Spice could face legal consequences for having a minor in the "Deli" music video. The video features a 16-year-old TikToker named Aya Tanjali twerking in what some would consider to be a sexually suggestive manner. Subjectively, this could be viewed as the production of child pornography, which is a serious crime in New York State.

The New York Penal Code defines "sexual performance" as any performance or part thereof which includes actual or simulated sexual conduct by a child less than 16 years old. The video of Aya Tanjali twerking could be considered a "sexual performance" under this definition, as it depicts her engaging in actual or simulated sexual conduct, however, an important detail to be mindful of here is the age of the minor in question, as she is in fact 16 years old at the time of this production – not less.

If Ice Spice were somehow found guilty of production of child pornography as a result of this music video, she would potentially face up to 7 years in prison. Additionally, she could also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

It is important to note that Ice Spice has not been charged with any crime as of this writing. It is possible that she will not face any legal consequences for the video. However, the possibility of legal action is a serious matter, and Ice Spice should certainly be aware of the risks involved.

In addition to legal consequences, Ice Spice could also face public backlash for the video. Many people have criticised the video for what they believe is exploiting a minor and for promoting the sexualisation of children. Ice Spice's reputation could potentially be damaged by the controversy, causing her to lose fans and opportunities.


It is a good reminder for all artists and creators to be aware of the legal and ethical implications of their work. When working with minors, it is highly important that we take steps to protect them from harm, which includes avoiding any content that could be considered child pornography.

The Legal Implications of Ice Spice's “Deli” Music Video

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