Queen Naija has never been afraid to tell the truth. From the early days of singing in her church at three years old to writing songs that would one day captivate millions, honesty has been the thread stitching her artistry together. The Atlanta-based singer—who first found widespread notoriety on YouTube before a stint on American Idol—made the leap into music full-time in 2017, a move that quickly proved prophetic. Her breakout, multi-platinum hit “Medicine” didn’t just introduce her voice to the world; it announced her as one of R&B’s most compelling new storytellers, capable of cutting straight to the heart with unfiltered emotion. Her debut album, missunderstood, topped Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart and cracked the top ten of the Billboard 200, solidifying her as a rising force. Accolades followed—nominations for Best New Artist at the BET Awards and Top R&B Artist at the Billboard Music Awards—yet Queen Naija has remained grounded, evolving both as a woman and as a creative. With a new EP arriving this fall and her latest single “rain…” showcasing a sensual, intoxicating new direction, she’s entering her thirties with clarity, conviction, and a renewed sense of self. In our conversation, Queen opens up about shifting narratives, learning balance in transparency, and defining her place in an ever-expanding era of women reshaping R&B. “If there was a Mount Rushmore of women in R&B, I want to be on it.”It’s a bold statement—but one spoken without ego, only intention. As R&B continues to be revolutionized by women of color reclaiming their narratives, Queen Naija reflects on what it means to be part of this moment. For her, the desire isn’t simply to participate—it’s to contribute something lasting, something iconic. She’s watching her peers break barriers, redefine sounds, and push culture forward, and she’s aiming to carve her own space on that mountain. Queen reflects candidly on fame, transparency, and reclaiming her story in our conference with °1824.
Since her earliest days online, Queen has lived much of her life in the public eye—sometimes willingly, sometimes not. That level of visibility has helped fans feel deeply connected to her, but it’s also created a challenge: how do you make people see the art separate from the person? “I’m learning how to shift that narrative now,” she explains. “Even though I try to be conservative with my life, there’s always think pieces about my life. It has been harder for me to shift into a new era because everyone is going to connect whatever I say in my music to my relationships, so I’ve been trying to control my narrative.” Her voice is calm, steady—resolute. But there’s also an honesty about the emotional toll of being continuously in the public eye. “When you give them nothing, they’ll come up with something to say,” she continues. “So through my growth journey, I’ve had to learn how to be transparent about my journey but still maintain my peace. But I’m still learning.” It’s that vulnerability—measured, intentional, but still deeply real—that has always made Queen Naija’s music resonate. Now, she’s figuring out how to protect the parts of herself that don’t need to be public while still giving listeners the raw truth they come to her for. Vulnerability is a key element to her artistry, some of the greatest writing advice Queen has been given was from her producer: “The music is in the conversation.” Her last project, After the Butterflies, marked a clear shift—a more self-assured, emotionally mature body of work. When asked where this era fits in the timeline of her life, Queen doesn’t hesitate: this is her renaissance. “Well, this is me walking into my thirties, a whole new era of my life,” she says. “When I hit 29, there was this shift in my brain—a very bold ‘I’m accepting things for what they are, I’m taking these rose-colored glasses off. And yes, I still believe in love, but I ask myself: what do I really want?’”
It’s a question she’s letting guide not just her music, but her identity. Love, growth, clarity, and intentionality are the emotional anchors of this chapter—and you can hear it in every vocal run, every lyric, every shift in tone. With a new EP set to arrive this fall, Queen Naija is stepping into her next phase with purpose. “rain…,” her most recent single, blends sultry lyricism with a lush, punchy soundscape, capturing the dizzying rush of falling for someone with abandon—yet from a more mature vantage point.Queen Naija isn’t just evolving; she’s claiming her space. Her journey has been public, imperfect, and undeniably powerful—and as she enters this new era, she’s doing so with the same fearless authenticity that made millions fall in love with her in the first place. And if her sights are set on that R&B Mount Rushmore? Well, if the past is any indication, she’s already on her way.
- Isabella Ellis
