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Princess Nokia

Destiny Nicole Frasqueri (born June 14, ), known professionally as Princess Nokia, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter of Puerto Rican descent raised in neighborhoods including Spanish Harlem and the . She began her music career independently, releasing her debut studio album Metallic Butterfly in 2014, followed by mixtapes and the project in 2016, which showcased her genre-blending style drawing from , , , and electronic music. Subsequent releases include the dual albums and in 2020, and her latest full-length Girls in October 2025, emphasizing personal and cultural narratives. Nokia has cultivated a dedicated following through self-released work and platforms like SoundCloud, earning recognition such as the Breakthrough Artist award at the 2018 A2IM Libera Awards for her independent success. Her activism focuses on honoring Afro-Latino heritage and confronting harassment, as seen in public incidents where she physically intervened against a subway racist in 2017 and a sexist heckler at a 2017 Cambridge University performance. In 2025, she signed with Artist House, marking a step toward broader distribution amid ongoing debates over her cultural representations and business practices.

Early life

Upbringing and family background

Destiny Nicole Frasqueri, known professionally as Princess Nokia, was born on June 14, 1992, in to parents of Puerto Rican descent whose family roots originated in , though both were born in . She has identified as Afro-Indigenous, reflecting her heritage. Frasqueri's mother died when she was young, an event that profoundly disrupted her early home life and led to her placement in around 2000, at approximately age eight. In , she endured severe from a foster mother described by Frasqueri as abusive to the extent of causing injuries requiring concealment with makeup, such as a . She later ran away from this placement and has stated that she intentionally blocks memories from her early 2000s childhood due to the emotional and physical trauma experienced during that period. Her father, an actor, provided support for her artistic interests amid these challenges, while her grandmother facilitated exposure to cultural institutions, taking her to venues like Symphony Space and . Frasqueri was raised primarily in New York City's , an environment that shaped her worldview through its urban dynamics and cultural diversity.

Early hardships and influences

Frasqueri lost her mother at a young age, leading to her placement in around age nine, where she remained until approximately sixteen. During this period, she endured from foster parents, including her final foster mother, whom she left in her mid-teens with only three dollars. These experiences, set against the backdrop of poverty in Manhattan's neighborhood, contributed to a sense of isolation as an Afro-Puerto Rican child, marked by frequent school skipping, lying, and minor deceptions as coping mechanisms. Music served as an empowering force amid these adversities, including abuse and struggles. Frasqueri grew up engaging with music alongside her siblings, fostering an early creative inclination, though she did not graduate high school and instead pursued self-directed learning through projects like poetry writing in notebooks. Her influences drew heavily from 1990s culture, encompassing hip-hop pioneers such as and , R&B group , and even nu metal acts like Korn and Slipknot, which informed her eclectic style and resilience.

Musical career

Initial releases and independent beginnings (2014–2016)

Princess Nokia, born Destiny Nicole Frasqueri, began her career in 2014 by self-releasing her debut project, Metallic Butterfly, on May 12 via platforms such as . The featured 12 tracks blending with and alternative influences, establishing her raw, experimental sound without major label backing. This release garnered initial attention through online debuts on , marking her entry into broader digital music circles as an independent artist. In 2015, Frasqueri continued her independent trajectory with the Honeysuckle, which expanded on themes of personal and life, distributed primarily through free streaming services. The project maintained her DIY approach, relying on and for promotion and fan engagement, without formal distribution deals. This period solidified her grassroots following, as she handled production, artwork, and marketing autonomously. By 2016, she released the mixtape 1992 on September 6, drawing from her birth year to explore nostalgic and identity-driven narratives. Still operating independently, the tape's viral singles like "Tomboy" began amplifying her visibility on platforms such as and , setting the stage for subsequent breakthroughs while emphasizing her self-reliant ethos in an industry dominated by established labels.

Breakthrough with 1992 Deluxe and rising fame (2017–2019)

In 2017, Princess Nokia released 1992 Deluxe on September 8 via , expanding her 2016 mixtape 1992 with eight new tracks alongside remastered versions of the originals. The album's title referenced her birth year, and its content drew from her upbringing, incorporating elements of , personal , and through dense, narrative-driven . Critical reception highlighted its introspective depth, with praising the granular detail in her storytelling, while included it among the year's notable albums and Noisey awarded it an "A-" grade. The release marked an independent commercial breakthrough, peaking at number 25 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and generating viral attention through tracks like "G.O.A.T." and accompanying videos that showcased her directing skills. This success translated to expanded live performances, including a Coachella set in April 2018 and headline tours that frequently sold out, demonstrating her growing draw as a self-managed artist. By 2019, the momentum from 1992 Deluxe had elevated her profile in media outlets, with features in emphasizing her appeal to niche audiences through unfiltered expressions of identity and independence, and a profile framing her as a model for SoundCloud-era artists achieving sustainability without major label backing. Her consistent output of millions of streams and direct fan engagement via platforms like further solidified this phase of ascent, positioning her as a voice in circles.

Genre experimentation and recent projects (2020–present)

In 2020, Princess Nokia released the companion albums Everything Sucks and Everything Is Beautiful on February 26, blending hip-hop with contrasting aesthetics to explore emotional duality. Everything Sucks, a 24-minute project, incorporates trap beats, pop rap, and punk-inspired sounds alongside angsty, edgy themes. In contrast, Everything Is Beautiful adopts a more polished style with pop rap, neo-soul, and alternative R&B elements. On March 14, 2023, she issued the EP i love you but this is goodbye, a genre-defying exploration of heartbreak and self-worth spanning and alt-pop. The seven-track release, produced in part by Joey Wunsch and Al von Staats, features raw, quickfire compositions reflecting personal closure. Princess Nokia's most recent album, GIRLS, arrived on October 10, 2025, via Artist House, comprising 12 tracks that fuse with punky, provocative raps, '80s synths, and pulsating dance grooves. Preceded by singles such as "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and "Blue Velvet," the project juxtaposes daring rap with electronic and rock influences, continuing her pattern of reimagining boundaries.

Artistry

Musical style and production

Princess Nokia's musical style draws from hip-hop foundations while incorporating , , nu-metal, and R&B elements, influenced by artists such as , , Korn, Slipknot, and . This genre-bending approach manifests in tracks that shift between aggressive and melodic , often evoking mosh-pit energy alongside introspective vulnerability, as seen in her 2018 A Girl Cried Red, which channeled her emo and metal roots. Her sound frequently pays homage to 1990s aesthetics, blended with DIY and culture, creating a raw, multifaceted aesthetic that resists mainstream categorization. In production, Frasqueri has asserted creative control, particularly after early independent releases, by integrating eclectic elements like boisterous horns, rich choirs, and jazz-infused beats to enhance thematic depth. This hands-on method aligns with her self-described ethos as a "music lover" prioritizing intention over industry norms, resulting in slick yet emotive tracks that support her versatile vocal delivery across projects like the 2020 / . Her approach emphasizes adaptability, fusing rhythms with rock-infused aggression to produce music that mirrors her heritage and alternative influences.

Lyrical content and thematic focus

Princess Nokia's lyrics prominently feature intersectional , addressing for women of color, critiques of male dominance in , and challenges to conventional beauty standards. In the track "Tomboy" from her 2016 mixtape 1992, she asserts for those with "little titties and phat belly," rejecting societal pressures on bodies and promoting confidence in aesthetics as a form of rebellion against gendered expectations. This theme extends to broader advocacy for feminine imperfection and solidarity among women navigating patriarchal violence, as explored in her 2025 album Girls, where she contrasts aggression with the restorative "power of love." Cultural identity and heritage form a core lyrical pillar, with frequent references to her Puerto Rican roots, Afro-Caribbean influences, and Taino lineage. Songs like "Brujas" invoke Yoruba and spiritual mysticism, portraying ancestral "witches" as symbols of preserved cultural resistance against and erasure. In "Yaya," she incorporates Taino terminology meaning "," blending tribal chants and pan flutes to evoke and pride in brown-skinned, curly-haired Puerto Rican womanhood. These elements underscore anti-gentrification sentiments and a reclamation of space for Afro-Latina narratives in urban settings. Spirituality and personal duality also permeate her thematic focus, reflecting vulnerability, , and life's contradictions. The expanded 1992 Deluxe (2017) delves into granular and early hardships, positioning self-exploration as a path to resilience. Her dual albums Everything Is Beautiful / Everything Sucks (2020) layer these with identity and emotional rawness, staking claims to multifaceted personalities amid societal outcast experiences. threads through, as in "Young Girls" (2015), which honors Afro-Caribbean youth through a vision of communal strength and beauty. Overall, her resists marginalization via detailed, autobiographical storytelling that prioritizes brown, , and voices.

Activism and public persona

Advocacy efforts and social positions

Princess Nokia, born Destiny Nicole Frasqueri, has advocated for feminist empowerment, particularly emphasizing and self-acceptance for women rejecting mainstream beauty norms. In her 2016 song "," she critiques societal shaming of , tomboy styles, and non-conforming gender expressions, positioning such traits as sources of strength rather than flaws. She has described her music as a means to affirm women with complex identities, including those marginalized by intersecting oppressions, fostering representation for underrepresented voices in . In a 2024 interview, she reiterated support for by opposing pressures on women to conform to standards, framing natural bodies as politically defiant. Drawing from her Afro-Puerto Rican heritage and self-identified roots, Nokia promotes reclamation of spiritual practices historically stigmatized as "bruja" witchcraft by colonial powers, linking them to African and resistance against European domination. Her work critiques cultural appropriation, challenging non-Latinx artists and industries for adopting Afro-Latinx aesthetics—such as influences or motifs—without crediting origins or addressing historical exploitation. She has expressed Puerto Rican cultural pride, positioning her art as a vehicle for ethnic complexity and anti-colonial narratives, as recognized in her 2022 designation as a Top 100 Powerhouse. Nokia has taken against perceived , including an October 2017 subway incident in where she confirmed throwing hot soup at a man uttering anti-Latino slurs, followed by ejecting him from the train car, which she framed as defending public safety. Broader social positions include advocacy for awareness, , and spaces safe for and outcast communities, often integrated into her lyrics and public persona as a "digital native" and resisting conformity. While her efforts primarily manifest through music and rather than formal organizations, she has positioned herself as a voice against white middle-class respectability politics, subverting norms via unapologetic self-expression.

Critiques and counterarguments to her views

Critics have challenged the authenticity of Princess Nokia's identity-based , particularly her claims of Afro-Taíno heritage used to frame narratives of colonial and cultural resistance. Online investigations, including side-by-side comparisons of her childhood photographs with current images, have led to accusations of "blackfishing," where she allegedly darkens her skin and alters features to emulate aesthetics for enhanced credibility in racial discourse. These allegations suggest that her emphasis on mixed-race marginalization may exaggerate personal ties to oppressed groups, undermining the empirical basis for her positions. Counterarguments to her critiques of cultural appropriation highlight perceived in her own artistic practices. In January 2019, she publicly accused of plagiarizing the flow from her 2017 track "" for the song "," but retracted the claim after producers revealed that "" itself incorporated uncredited elements from ' earlier work, including unpaid samples and stylistic borrowings. Detractors argue this mirrors the appropriation she condemns, eroding the consistency of her calls for cultural respect and attribution in . Her feminist advocacy against has faced pushback for inconsistent standards on and accountability. During a February performance at Cambridge University, she physically confronted and struck a audience member following reported verbal , framing it as against misogynoir. However, some observers countered that the response prioritized retributive action over , selectively applying anti- rhetoric that excuses aggression toward men while decrying it against women, thus contradicting broader egalitarian principles. This incident illustrates critiques that her intersectional risks entrenching gender-based double standards rather than fostering mutual accountability.

Controversies

Notable public incidents

In February 2017, during a performance at a charity fashion show at Cambridge University, Princess Nokia (Destiny Frasqueri) allegedly punched an audience member in the face and threw a drink at him after he shouted sexist remarks toward her, including calling her a "bitch" and making lewd comments. She subsequently ended her set early, citing concerns for her safety amid what she described as a hostile environment marked by verbal harassment. The incident drew mixed reactions, with some university groups condemning the audience's behavior as a "public display of sexism and misogynoir," while others criticized her response as disproportionate. On October 10, 2017, Frasqueri confirmed her involvement in a subway confrontation on City's L train, where she threw hot soup at a man named Joshua Limen (also known as "Lime-A-Rita") who was yelling racial slurs, including the n-word, at passengers of color. Video footage captured her slapping the man before dousing him with the soup, after which other riders forced him off the train; she later tweeted that she acted in defense of targeted teenagers, emphasizing her refusal to tolerate such behavior in public spaces. The event garnered widespread attention, with Frasqueri framing it as a stand against , though it also sparked debates over in transit systems. In August 2022, a small business owner accused Frasqueri of failing to pay for custom jewelry work commissioned for a , claiming she had been strung along for months without compensation or credit despite repeated follow-ups. The allegation surfaced via a viral video detailing over $2,000 in unpaid labor and materials, prompting online backlash; Frasqueri did not publicly respond to the claims at the time, leaving the dispute unresolved in available reports.

Backlash from music and cultural communities

In January , Princess Nokia drew criticism from segments of the and communities after publicly accusing of copying the rhythmic flow from her 2017 track "" in the hit single "." The claim, shared via video where Nokia contrasted the two songs, highlighted perceived stylistic similarities but quickly faced pushback when a producer revealed that Nokia had not compensated him for the beat used in "," and online discussions pointed to uncredited influences from artists like in her work. This led to widespread accusations of across forums and , with fans and commentators arguing that Nokia's stance undermined her credibility in calling out appropriation. Nokia deleted the original posts and issued a video response defending her artistic process, but the incident fueled debates about originality and ethics in rap production. Cultural communities leveled accusations of blackfishing against Nokia in October 2020, alleging she misrepresented her Puerto Rican heritage by claiming Afro-Indigenous identity and darkening her skin in photos to align with Black aesthetics. Tumblr users compiled side-by-side images from her adolescence onward, purportedly showing lighter skin tones inconsistent with her public persona, prompting backlash from Black online spaces and Taino Indigenous advocates who disputed her indigenous claims as inauthentic or exaggerated. Former associates, cited in discussions, stated she had been advised against such representations and lacks Black ancestry, intensifying criticism that her identity narratives appropriated marginalized experiences for artistic gain. Nokia responded by affirming her Taíno and African roots tied to Puerto Rican history, but the controversy persisted in cultural critique circles, raising questions about authenticity in multicultural rap identities. In August 2022, creative and online cultural communities amplified allegations that had commissioned work from a —reportedly involving design services—without payment or credit, as detailed in a viral TikTok video from the owner. The incident, which surfaced amid her independent artist status, drew ire for potentially exploiting freelance creators in music-adjacent fields, though did not publicly address it directly. Such claims contributed to broader skepticism about her business practices within music networks.

Personal life

Identity, relationships, and self-expression

Destiny Nicole Frasqueri, professionally known as Princess Nokia, was born on June 14, 1992, in to Puerto Rican parents of mixed indigenous, , and descent. She has consistently identified as Afro-Latina and afro-indigenous, highlighting her Boricua heritage and roots as central to her cultural identity, often weaving these elements into her music and public persona. Frasqueri has also embraced the term bruja ( for witch), invoking Yoruba spiritual traditions and influences to frame her worldview and artistic output. Frasqueri maintains privacy around her romantic relationships, with limited public details available. In a March 2023 , she revealed having dated seriously since age 14 but expressed a deliberate choice to shield partners from scrutiny, prioritizing personal autonomy over disclosure. No verified long-term partnerships have been confirmed in primary sources, aligning with her stated preference for discretion amid a focused on self-empowerment. Her self-expression encompasses a identity and non-conforming presentation, for which she employs both she/her and pronouns interchangeably. Frasqueri has described her sexuality as fluid, stating in 2020 that she grew up surrounded by individuals and identifies as herself, rejecting rigid labels in favor of personal authenticity. Visually, her style fuses and skater influences with gothic aesthetics and occasional sultry feminine elements, as seen in videos like "," where she challenges norms around and roles. This eclectic approach extends to her advocacy for unapologetic self-definition, including defenses of diverse feminine expressions against societal shaming.

Health challenges and spiritual practices

Frasqueri has publicly discussed experiencing body dysmorphia, describing it as a persistent challenge influencing her self-perception and artistic expression. In February 2017, she canceled a scheduled tour in citing extreme exhaustion and unspecified health concerns resulting from an intensive touring schedule. Frasqueri identifies strongly with Afro-Indigenous spiritual traditions, particularly Regla de Ocha, a syncretic practice known as , which she describes as her birthright tied to her Puerto Rican heritage. She has incorporated elements of these beliefs into her music, such as in the 2016 track "Brujas," where she honors Yoruba orishas like Yemayá and embraces a bruja (witch) identity rooted in ancestor veneration, cleansing rituals, and earth-honoring practices. Through her Smart Girl Club platform, launched around 2017, Frasqueri promotes spiritual wellness, divine healing, and educational content on Afro-Indigenous magic as a means of empowerment and cultural reclamation. These practices emphasize community, self-healing, and resistance to colonial erasure of indigenous spiritual systems.

Reception

Critical and commercial responses

Princess Nokia's music has received generally positive critical attention for its eclectic genre fusion, personal lyricism, and integration of activist themes, though reviewers have noted inconsistencies in cohesion and execution across projects. Pitchfork praised her 2017 reissue 1992 Deluxe for its detailed explorations of mysticism, childhood trauma, and cultural identity, highlighting Frasqueri's raw, narrative-driven style as a strength in the New York rap tradition. Her 2020 dual albums Everything Is Beautiful and Everything Sucks were commended by the same outlet for vulnerably capturing life's dualities and personality layers through stylistic versatility, earning a 7.1 rating that underscored her growth in emotional depth despite uneven production. More recent work like Girls (2025) drew acclaim from Glide Magazine for its confident, daring maturity and challenge to patriarchal norms, positioning it as her most captivating effort yet, while Clash Magazine lauded its unapologetic lyrics over pop-club beats. However, Pitchfork critiqued Girls for waning focus and intensity in select tracks, suggesting a tension between thematic ambition and sonic consistency. Commercially, Princess Nokia has achieved modest independent success without major breakthroughs, relying on streaming and rather than high sales or chart dominance. Her breakthrough 1992 Deluxe reached number 25 on the Heatseekers Albums chart in 2017, reflecting niche appeal among emerging artists but no entry on the 200. Singles like "I Like Him" have amassed over 154 million streams, contributing to her visibility in circles, though aggregate sales figures remain undisclosed and secondary to digital metrics. Releases such as (2020) and subsequent projects have sustained steady streaming growth, with tracks like "Spit" exceeding 23 million plays, but lacks top-40 hits or certifications, aligning with her DIY ethos over label-driven promotion. This trajectory underscores a dedicated audience drawn to her authenticity, evidenced by consistent monthly listener gains on platforms like , yet limited by avoidance of pop concessions.

Influence and debates over legacy

Princess Nokia's influence in hip-hop stems from her fusion of feminist rhetoric, Puerto Rican heritage, and punk-infused aesthetics, which carved out space for and Afro-Latina voices in a historically male-centric genre. Her 2016 mixtape propelled her emergence by addressing themes of body autonomy, indigenous ancestry, and urban displacement in , resonating with audiences marginalized by mainstream rap's norms. This work, alongside tracks like "Brujas," celebrated and African roots while critiquing cultural erasure, influencing subsequent artists in Latinx and feminist rap scenes to prioritize ethnic specificity over . As an independent artist who gained traction via without major label backing, she modeled a DIY that empowered emerging creators, particularly women and individuals navigating intersecting identities. Her advocacy for aesthetics and spiritual brujería elements expanded hip-hop's expressive boundaries, drawing from and underground NYC cultures to foster inclusivity for "outcasts." Observers have noted her role in amplifying women of color's narratives, such as diversity and resistance to , thereby shifting discourse toward empowerment over commodification. Debates over her legacy revolve around the depth of her transformative impact amid niche rather than widespread adoption. Proponents argue her opposition to industry —through genre-blending albums like A Girl Cried Red ()—pioneered intersectional sounds that prioritize over commercial polish, sustaining relevance in activist and circuits. Critics, however, contend that her aggressive and eclectic shifts, while authentic to her Bronx-Harlem upbringing, limited crossover appeal, confining enduring influence to subcultural echoes rather than reshaping hip-hop's core structures. This tension underscores broader questions in rap about whether identity-driven independence yields verifiable cultural permanence or remains siloed by algorithmic and gatekept metrics of success.