King Princess: The Indie Pop Prodigy

King Princess is the stage name of Mikaela Straus, a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from the United States. Her major label debut single, "1950," became a viral streaming hit in 2018, catapulting her to immediate recognition and a dedicated fanbase.

Early Career

Born in 1998 in Brooklyn, New York, Mikaela Straus was immersed in music from a young age, learning her craft in her father's Mission Sound recording studio. She signed her first record deal with Mark Ronson's Zelig Records, an imprint of Columbia Records, in 2018, setting the stage for her rapid ascent.

Breakthrough

King Princess's breakthrough arrived instantly with her very first single. Released in early 2018, "1950" amassed tens of millions of streams online, fueled by a tweet from Harry Styles, and charted in several countries including the UK. This led to the release of her debut EP, Make My Bed, later that same year.

Key Tracks

1950 - This debut single's massive streaming success defined her arrival, showcasing her queer narrative and melancholic pop sensibility.

Talia - A standout track from her first EP that further cemented her reputation for crafting emotionally resonant and beautifully raw indie pop songs.

Pussy Is God - A bold and unapologetic track from the Make My Bed EP that highlighted her frank lyrical style and solidified her connection with LGBTQ+ audiences.

Cheap Queen - The title track and lead single from her 2019 debut album, which presented a more polished yet deeply personal direction for her songwriting.

Her debut studio album, Cheap Queen, arrived in 2019 to critical acclaim, debuting at number 43 on the US Billboard 200 chart. She followed this with her second album, Hold On Baby, in 2022, which featured collaborations with producers like Mark Ronson and Ethan Gruska. King Princess's music often explores themes of love, queer identity, and vulnerability within the indie pop and alternative genres. Fans of King Princess's brand of introspective and genre-blending pop might also enjoy the work of Clairo, who similarly built an audience through online buzz and bedroom-pop aesthetics. Girl In Red shares a focus on candid queer storytelling within an indie rock framework. The polished yet personal songwriting of Lorde serves as a clear influence, while the experimental pop edges of St. Vincent provide another interesting touchstone.

With a sound that bridges intimate songwriting with modern pop production, King Princess has secured a prominent place in contemporary music. Listeners can explore her catalog of confessional anthems and evolving artistry through her available recordings.