Princess Nokia: The Unapologetic Voice of Alternative Hip-Hop

Princess Nokia is the dynamic stage name of Destiny Nicole Frasqueri, a New York-born rapper, singer, and songwriter known for her genre-blending sound and fiercely independent ethos. Her 2017 album 1992 Deluxe became a cult classic, amassing millions of streams and establishing her as a vital voice in the underground hip-hop scene.

Early career

Born in 1992 in New York City, Destiny Frasqueri began releasing music online under various aliases in the early 2010s. She first gained attention with the 2014 mixtape Metallic Butterfly, an experimental project that showcased her eclectic tastes, blending electronic, witch house, and hip-hop elements. This early work laid the foundation for her DIY approach, leading to the formation of her own label, Rough Trade Records-signed collective, Smart Girl Club.

Breakthrough

Princess Nokia's breakthrough arrived in 2017 with the official re-release of her 2016 mixtape as 1992 Deluxe. The project's raw, nostalgic sound and anthems of self-empowerment resonated widely, particularly through viral platforms. While not achieving mainstream chart positions, songs like "Tomboy" and "Kitana" achieved gold certification in the United States, cementing her status.

Key tracks

1992 Deluxe — This mixtape's re-release defined her early sound, capturing the essence of New York street culture and 90s hip-hop nostalgia.

Tomboy — A platinum-certified anthem celebrating gender nonconformity that became a viral sensation and a defining track of her career.

Kitana — Another gold-certified single from the 1992 Deluxe era, known for its martial arts-inspired bravado and catchy hook.

I Like Him — This 2020 track showcased a smoother, melodic side and charted on the Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

Green Eggs & Ham — A later single highlighting her continued skill in raw, braggadocious lyricism over minimalist beats.

Following her breakthrough, Princess Nokia released the dual album project Everything is Beautiful and Everything Sucks in 2020, exploring themes of spirituality and punk aggression respectively. She has collaborated with artists like Rico Nasty and Sofi Tukker, and her music often addresses themes of Afro-Latina identity, feminism, and spiritualism. Her independent spirit has seen her move between labels, including a stint with Caroline Records.

Fans of Princess Nokia's eclectic and empowered style also appreciate the work of Rico Nasty, who shares a similar punk-rap energy and DIY attitude. Junglepussy offers comparable confident lyricism and a focus on feminine power within the New York hip-hop scene. The genre-fluid approach of Leikeli47, another masked artist prioritizing music over persona, also draws parallels. For the spiritual and Afrocentric elements, listeners often explore Santigold, a pioneer in alternative pop and hip-hop fusion.

Princess Nokia's diverse catalog, from hardcore rap to melodic tunes, earns her rotation on a variety of online radio streams. Her music is featured on independent music radio stations and alternative hip-hop channels that champion authentic and boundary-pushing artists, ensuring her voice reaches a global audience of dedicated listeners.

You can hear the music of Princess Nokia on radio stations featured on our website. Explore the eclectic sounds of this alternative hip-hop artist by tuning into the radio stations available on onairium.com.