Princess Nokia became hip-hop's Tomboy with her 2016 hit via Rough Trade Records. Baggy sweats, rimless glasses, and a loving embrace of misunderstood black and Latinx culture pervaded the perception of the female rapper. Though she's been experimenting with different aesthetics and styles, this may be the 27-year-old's biggest metamorphosis yet.
Princess Nokia (a.k.a. Destiny Frasqueri)'s new single Sugar Honey Iced Tea (S.H.I.T.) rolls in revving with the New York artist in full motorcycle gear while accompanied by rapper and model Maliibu Miitch. The two head into a beauty pageant where Princess Nokia will be competing for Miss S.H.I.T. 2019. Frasqueri raps about her women contemporaries and that she isn't in the game for fame, but because she loves her craft. She also speaks upon themes of domestic abuse towards women and racism. The music video builds a soft, lace-trimmed world akin to your favorite grandma's house, but the competition is just the opposite. Princess Nokia must prove her worth through a strong performance and show-stopping looks, which isn't too far from Frasqueri's own reality.
The track's bright brass and finger snaps command attention while Frasqueri's lyrics create a new depth that is rarely touched upon in mainstream hip-hop. Sugar Honey Iced Tea (S.H.I.T.) is an electric combination of thought-provoking fun, and we can't wait to see where this takes Princess Nokia next.
-Marina Sakimoto
