Musical Hugs 7

1992 Deluxe - Princess Nokia

Hello from 2019! We’re sorry LCA has been a little slow of late, but it seems the holiday period got the better of us (i.e. of our stamina/brain power). We promise we’ve got some amazing things coming up this year though that we can’t wait to share with all of you!

This January we’re kicking off with our 7th edition of musical hugs with the incredible 2017 album 1992 Deluxe from Princess Nokia. I fell in love with Princess Nokia and her music as soon as I saw the music video for ‘Tomboy’ and remember dancing in my old gross apartment for hours to 1992. 1992, along with her other albums which are incredible explorations of different genres, has helped me on countless occasions to feel powerful when I otherwise would have felt powerless. I used to live on a very busy and awful road in London, where sexual harassment was an assurance every time I stepped out my front door, and I don’t know how I would have coped without Princess Nokia in my ears helping me confirm to myself that I was allowed to take up space without being objectified and harassed. I’d put on Tomboy or Kitana at full volume (only for a short while don’t worry too much about my hearing) and stare down the awful men who hung around with leering eyes outside my flat. I’d listen to Brujas and be reminded of the power women hold across the world; the power they hold when they come together to support one another. The whole album works seamlessly together, and I highly recommend to anyone who hasn’t yet listened to her.

Princess Nokia has also given various speeches and talks at colleges and has spoken about her experiences in queerness and and as a woman of colour moving through America. She is the most herself anyone could possibly be - she makes whatever music she wants, she dresses however she wants and she stands up for herself and her boundaries constantly. So, please, go check out her albums, her videos and herself!