Queen Naija releases a three-song collection honoring those who have passed away, beautifully titled Straight Outta Heaven. The EP contains the previously released “Good Girls Finish Last,” which marked her return to the music scene after a brief hiatus. In Straight Outta Heaven, Queen Naija’s soulful voice shines as she reflects on the challenges and joys of raising her two sons. She candidly expresses the vulnerability of parenting, acknowledging the absence of a rulebook while affirming her unconditional love.
This heartfelt release follows Missing You, a tribute to her late friend and bodyguard Beast, and Good Girls Finish Last, which marked her return to the music scene after a brief hiatus. The track delves into the profound journey of motherhood, weaving together themes of love, hope, and divine connection. With Straight Outta Heaven, Queen Naija continues to prove why she’s one of the most compelling storytellers in music today.
“When I became pregnant with my second child, I worried about how to split my love in half,” she shared in the press release. “That’s something many mothers wrestle with. Straight Outta Heaven captures that emotion. There’s no guide to this #momlife—we’re all just trying our best.” Dubbed “the first soul star of the social media generation” by The New York Times, Queen Naija has built an impressive career. Her catalog boasts multiple RIAA certifications and over 6 billion global streams. In 2024, Naija celebrated the five-year anniversary of her double-platinum breakout hit, Medicine. The track was inspired by a breakup.
The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. Celebrities and influencers alike have undergone the procedure to enhance their curves. It’s an age where social media and celebrity culture often promote the perfect hourglass figure. Unfortunately, many view BBLs or butt injections as a quick fix for their body image problems. However, people are increasingly speaking out about their regrets and the harsh realities of the surgery as the trend grows. As these high-profile individuals have demonstrated, the risks and decisions of getting a BBL can have long-reaching consequences.
The New York rapper has been candid about her experiences after regretting getting injections. She revealed that she felt pressured to undergo these procedures after becoming a stripper out of high school. At just 19, Cardi B had breast implants, followed by illegal buttock injections due to insufficient body fat for a traditional BBL. In an interview with GQ, she shared, “When I was 21, I did not have enough meat on my body — if I was to get lipo, I wouldn’t have fat for my ass.” Desperate for a solution, she paid $800 for filler injections, enduring excruciating pain and leakage for five days. Despite the risks, Cardi B attempted to get a touch-up. However, she discovered that the woman administering the injections had been arrested for allegedly causing someone’s death.
In 2014, Cardi got the illegal silicone injections and removed them after giving birth to her son, Wave, in 2022. She warned fans against the procedure during an Instagram Live in December 2022 when she revealed she had 95 percent of her biopolymer buttocks injections removed. “All I’m going to say is that if you’re young, if you’re 19, 20, 21, and sometimes you’re too skinny, and you be like, ‘OMG, I don’t have enough fat to put in my ass,’ so you result to ass shots—don’t,” said the rapper. “When it comes to BBLs, if y’all want advice from me, before you get your BBL done, you have to make sure your blood levels are all right,” she added. “If a doctor says your blood levels are too low or you have diabetes or whatever, don’t do it.”
Nicki Minaj opened up about her own struggles with body image and the pressure to conform to certain beauty standards. During a podcast interview with Joe Budden, Minaj revealed that she received illegal butt injections early in her career. She explained that being surrounded by women with large buttocks at Cash Money Record label studios, particularly those invited by Lil Wayne, made her feel inadequate. “All I would hear them talking about is big butts, and I didn’t feel complete or good enough, good as those girls because I’m like, ‘Oh My God, you know, this is what you’re supposed to look like in the rap culture, and I don’t look like that,” Minaj expressed. Although she said the jokes directed at her smaller buttocks by label members were likely unintentional, Minaj emphasized the impact of their words on her self-esteem.
“I think they said stuff sometimes jokingly. But to a young girl or up-and-coming rapper or anything, when it’s from someone like Lil’ Wayne, it matters. You know?” Minaj said. “Even if they’re joking, they don’t know that the person that is there in that room with them is not finding it funny.” She said she now understood the impact of their words. “They’re just joking. They didn’t mean any harm. But it wasn’t a joke to me,” the rapper added.
Asked by Budden if she held herself responsible for and regrets influencing the BBL trend, the mother of one confessed that she did. “I was one of the first people saying, ‘Oh, I’m not these people’s parents,’ but now I get it. I look at it from a different perspective now. Because superstars inadvertently become role models no matter what,” Minaj said.
Memphis singer K. Michelle has also been vocal concerning her regrets about getting injections and the pressure to conform to industry beauty standards. She underwent a staggering over one dozen surgeries in one year to have her injections removed, yet still struggles with confidence in her body. “I be asking myself, ‘Are you healed or are you just numb?’ You know what I’m saying? So, when you do 13 surgeries in a year and you watch your mama look at you like ‘what the f—k did you do to yourself?’” K. Michelle shared with The Shade Room.
She attributed her decision to get the augmentations to the expectations within the entertainment industry. “I didn’t know that certain things were needed and expected until I got into the industry,” she said. “Then it got very—I gotta do this. I need to fix this; I got the money to do this, so I need to fix that. That was the worst sh—t ever.” She now believes that her strength is her greatest physical asset. “I’m learning…to deal with the confidence, and I’m not ashamed to say that […] You gotta figure out what is it about you, and that’s what I’m doing.”
Chantel Sophia
Social media influencer and podcast host Chantel Sophia addressed a follower’s question about whether she felt peace after regretting getting a BBL. In a transparent response, Sophia revealed that the surgery had only intensified her existing insecurities. “I always say this to anyone who comes to me with, ‘Oh, I wanna get surgery, I wanna do this.’ Be prepared to have a focus on all your insecurities times a thousand,” she cautioned. Sophia explained that while the initial “honeymoon phase” of enjoying the change in her body was gratifying, the eventual comedown was inevitable.
“In my case, it wasn’t perky enough, it wasn’t round enough, it wasn’t big enough,” she recalled. “Some days it wasn’t small enough. Nothing was enough.” The podcaster also felt her buttocks had become an integral part of her identity as a result of seeking approval from others. “My character trait became how big my bum was…i just needed the outward validation that ‘does everyone like this yeah?’” she explained.
R&B songstress Queen Naija also expressed regret over her decision to have a BBL. “I hated my hip dips and c-section belly,” she wrote in the comments of a post by The Neighborhood Talk. “Now I dislike how all my weight gain goes to my booty and hips. Either way, I disliked something.” While many users suggested that a removal procedure could alleviate her concerns, Naija admitted that the thought of another surgery was too daunting. She added, “Can’t be perfect y’all [shrug emoji]. I would get it reduced, but the risk of getting put to sleep again is scary.”
Recently, Blac Chyna had several major cosmetic surgeries reversed. These included a breast reduction, silicone injections from her butt, and fillers from her face. Chyna explained that when she was 19, she had shots in her buttocks, which she now regrets. “I just want all the ladies out there to know: Do not get silicone shots. You can get sick, you can die, have complications, and all this other…stuff.” She added, “Normally, my procedure would’ve taken four hours tops. My procedure took over eight-and-a-half hours y’all. Whatever that silicone mass—whatever that was that was in my buttocks—it kept clogging the machine and breaking it.”
She explained her motivation for making the change. “I’m just tired of the look. It’s just not flattering. It’s just not what I look like,” she told her doctors in an Instagram Live video. “It totally changed my face and I’m just ready to get back to Angela. Blac Chyna’s Blac Chyna, and I feel like I’ve outgrown that.” She also revealed that she began getting fillers at a very young age, which did not allow her body time to fully develop.
Rachel Velasco, a 23-year-old influencer, endured an excruciating experience that made her regret getting a BBL at 7Q Spa in Los Angeles. The procedure was performed by Dr. Anna Gevorgyan, an OB-GYN on probation. Desperate for the perfect body, Velasco overlooked the risks. “I was just so thirsty to get a BBL,” she told NBC News. Hours later, she was hospitalized, “screaming and covered in blood,” enduring “indescribable agony.” Despite complications and minimal results, including a 4-inch puckered scar, Velasco spent over $13,000. Gevorgyan, who previously practiced in Illinois, faced disciplinary action in both states. Velasco admitted, “I would have not done this if I would have known that I would have a scar and it would be this big hooplah,” questioning, “You cut my body open for what?”
Celebrities and influencers can make cosmetic procedures like the BBL appear quick and easy to achieve. However, as the experiences of Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, K. Michelle, and others demonstrate, the reality is far more complex. In addition to their risks and potential complications, these procedures do not address the underlying emotional and psychological factors contributing to low self-esteem.
Ultimately, the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery is a deeply personal one that should not be taken lightly. It’s essential to approach these procedures with a clear understanding of the risks and limitations. And by prioritizing self-love, self-care, and a healthy body image, an individual can achieve true confidence and contentment.
With a decade of her life imprinted on the internet, one could search “Queen Naija” and find just about anything concerning the beloved R&B maven. She launched her career when she first took to the American Idol stage for the show’s 13th season. However, she connected with an even wider audience on YouTube, and it didn’t take long for her infectious personality to resonate with other young women.
The familiarity further aided in bolstering Queen’s music career. Since 2017, she has delivered several hit singles, including the RIAA-certified Double Platinum tracks “Medicine,” “Karma,” and “Butterflies.” In 2020, fans were blessed with Queen’s official debut offering, Misunderstood, and a little over a week ago, she returned with her first mixtape, After the Butterflies.
In our exclusive interview with Queen Naija, she told us this project marked a significant shift in her artistic narrative. She revisits the subject of love and romance, but this time, she’s opening up about the chaotic waves in her current relationship with Clarence White. Anyone known to be chronically online is familiar with Queen’s ex-husband, Chris Sails, and the turbulent breakdown of their marriage. Yet, she has kept her rifts with White closer to the chest—that is, until After the Butterflies‘s arrival. It’s a new era for the royalty-named talent.
“There comes a point where that always dies down in every relationship, where you’re still in love with the person, it could still be a healthy relationship, but you still go through things. So, I was at a very dark—in a rough patch in my current relationship. And, of course, I’m an artist, so I’m gonna write about it [laughs].”
Read through our expansive conversation with the songbird as Queen chats with us about her new mixtape, its inspiration, working with her star-studded list of collaborators on the project, why her collaboration with Monica is one of her favorites, wanting to link in the studio with Pharrell Williams, and realizing no matter where her future takes her, she can survive anything, even if it had to be alone.
Photo provided by Queen Naija, Publicist
This interview has been slightly edited for clarity.
HotNewHipHop: Thank you so much for speaking with us! We’re excited about the project. Let’s jump right in: tell us about the inspiration behind After the Butterflies and what led you to this point.This one isn’t an album?
Queen Naija: At the time of recording the music for an EP, I was recording music from the way I felt in those moments. And I was pretty much in a moment where like, it was a dark place. Like, in my current relationship—everybody knows that I was in a relationship before, and I came out of it. It was abusive, and it was not healthy. I came out of it, and I was happy. And then, when I met my current partner, there was a beginning thing, that fresh new feeling. When you get those butterflies—which is why I made those songs “Butterflies, Pt. 1” and “Butterflies, Pt. 2.”
But then there comes a point where that always dies down in every relationship, where you’re still in love with the person, it could still be a healthy relationship, but you still go through things. So, I was at a very dark—in a rough patch in my current relationship. And of course, I’m an artist, so I’m gonna write about it [laughs].
“I have to be okay with loving myself without the help of a man and be okay with being alone if it had to be that way. And really doing it myself. It did give me a new strength of like, okay, this is what I want. I want a family, and I want everlasting marriage and love, and I’m all about that. But at the same time on the other side, if life happened to go a different way, I think I would be okay.“
In those moments, I pretty much was like, a little scared. I was actually very scared because the public saw one failed relationship. And I was fearful that it would be embarrassing to see another publicly failed relationship, which would probably make me kind of crawl into a hole and not share anything else with anyone. So, I kind of was bracing myself and prepping myself for that.
But I’m also an overthinker sometimes. I was trying to explore the idea of being alone. I’m embracing it and embracing myself while being alone. So that’s pretty much what the music is about.
You have been so vulnerable about both of your relationships. In this new era, what lessons did you learn about yourself in this process of putting everything in your music once again?
I’ve learned that you got to really just, you really need to rely on your own self and heal your own traumas. You can’t expect someone else—not that I expected it. But no matter how good a person makes you feel, you still have to be responsible for giving love for loving yourself.
I have to be okay with loving myself without the help of a man and be okay with being alone if it had to be that way. And really doing it myself. It did give me a new strength of like, okay, this is what I want. I want a family, and I want everlasting marriage and love, and I’m all about that. But at the same time on the other side, if life happened to go a different way, I think I would be okay. I think I would be okay with doing it with the help of prayer. Just really blossoming into like, I don’t know how to really say. Just with doing things on my own, discovering new things on my own, and finding joy in those things.
That’s beautiful. Returning gently to the mixtape, you’ve called on a handful of people to help you round out those features: the legendary Monica, Ella Mai, NBA YoungBoy, and the one and only Eric Bellinger. Talk to us about those collaborations and the essence of those tracks.
Well, you know “No Fake Love” with YoungBoy was already released. To be transparent with you…you don’t have to put this down, or you can word it however you want. But that was the song that I kind of wasn’t excited to put out at first because I was supposed to been put that out in 2022. That was supposed to be like, a fresh record for the summer of 2022. I’m a person that when things get old to me, I’m ready to move on to the next.
The reason why it had got so old and didn’t drop in 2022 is because I was waiting on a feature from a rapper who told me he would get around to it, but he never did. And then, while waiting on him, a couple of other people that I reached out to responded, and one of them was YoungBoy. I thought about it and asked people around me, and they said I should definitely do it.
Because you know, it would be a great way to bring out this different side of YoungBoy. And also, it’s just good, too. He has a big fan base, I have our fan base, it’s going to be good. So, I dropped that this year already. But he was very pleasant to work with. I judged him. I judged himbefore…because of the persona that he gives, I judged him before working with him. But he was actually a gentleman, and people liked the song. It was just very fun. And it was a sample record from a movie. So, that’s one of the things I liked about it.
The reason why I did “All or Nothing” with Ella Mai, or what happened behind that, is that we toured together for Mary J. Blige. And I thought it would have been perfect just to do a song with her. We been supposed to have done a song together, like a while back. But yeah, this happened to be the vibe that she felt most comfortable with. And she loved it, she hopped on it. And that vibe is just pretty much like a West Coast kind of feel. I wanted to come into her world a little bit because people know my world. The boppy, kind of West Coast cadence and beat or whatever, I wanted to kind of merge our vibe together.
And so, we brought our worlds together on that record. Just pretty much saying how we want all or nothing. You don’t want to have half of someone’s heart, you want the whole thing. It’s like, you really want to be serious. You want the person to be serious about you just as much as you are with them, or it’s nothing at all. So, that’s what that’s about.
The song with Monica, “One Of Them Days,” is actually my favorite. I’ve always wanted to work with someone before me who passed the torch down, and that’s definitely Monica. She’s a legend to me and the R&B world. I was able to bring back out that old-school vibe with her in a song—she has a song called “Don’t Take It Personal.” And we’re just in the song talking about wanting to be selfish. Because I never really got a chance to be selfish. I always worry about how my man feels or how my kids are, I never really got a chance to do me and only think about myself.
“The song with Monica, “One Of Them Days,” is actually my favorite. I’ve always wanted to work with someone before me who passed the torch down. And that’s definitely Monica. She’s a legend to me and the R&B world. And I was able to bring back out that old school vibe with her in a song.”
I was just exploring that idea and that song and that those are real emotions. And I was feeling like a lot of times, I would pull up in my parking lot late at night or after a studio session, and I wouldn’t want to go and house. I just want to be with myself, you know. So, that’s pretty much like what that was about.
The song with Eric Bellinger, he came in real clutch [laughs]. Man, I ain’t gon’ lie. I went through a few features, and he was the one that really suited the song. He went perfectly with it. It’s called “Taboo.” And this song, he helped me—he pretty much brought out the spicier side. It’s about me exploring the idea of having a sneaky link. Although I’m always too scared to do something like that, I’ve always thought about it, because I’ve always been the one to get cheated on.
So, I wanted to think about, like, dang, what would it be like, if I was the one doing the cheating? What is it like? Is it a good feeling? Like, even though it’s probably—I don’t know, in that moment, it probably is. But I was just exploring that. And that’s taboo to me. I’m big on just being a loyal partner. But if it had to be that way, and I had to have a sneaky link, I feel like “Taboo” is the thing that you’re not supposed to want to do. But it feels good. You get what I’m saying? So, that song was a little bit…it was a real, kind of a little spicy kind of song. Are we missing anyone? No one else is right. I think we got everybody. I hope I didn’t overshare!
You’re just fine! I appreciate the details, trust me [laughs]. And all of the features were a great balance—I also have to say I love that collab you did with Ari Lennox.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 07: Jesseca Harris-Dupart, DaBrat, Baby Tate, Queen Naija, and Dionne Farris attend the Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit State Farm Arena Concert at State Farm Arena on May 07, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit)
You’re a heavy-hitter in R&B, and you’ve obviously partnered with incredible talent. Who is a dream collaborator of any genre? People expect you to link with a certain type of artist, but who are your picks for someone you’d like to work with?
Hm, I can’t think of anybody right now in production-wise. I mean—well, actually, I’ve always thought it’d be super dope to see what me and Pharrell could create. I just love all his music. And then, artist-wise, I would like to start doing some records with people on the edgier side [laughs]. On the toxic side, a little bit more.
I’ve always mentioned Brent Faiyaz, I think we would sound super dope together. I think SZA is super edgy. I would love to see how that is. Because I’m more, I feel like, maybe I could be wrong. But I feel like I’m more on the sweet side of things. Like, sometimes I talk my stuff, but most times, I keep it really sweet and glittery and stuff like that.
“I’ve always mentioned Brent Faiyaz, I think we would sound super dope together. I think SZA is super edgy. I would love to see how that is. Because I’m more, I feel like, maybe I could be wrong. But I feel like I’m more on the sweet side of things. Like, sometimes I talk my stuff, but most times, I keep it really sweet and glittery and stuff like that.“
Who else who else can I see? I’ve always—there are some new artists coming up that I think are super dope on the rapping side, like female rap. I really think that Doechii is super fire. I really like Lady London. She’s cool. I like really lyrical people. I’ve always wanted to work with J. Cole, speaking of lyrical. So, I mean, I could give you a rundown on people, but that’s just a few.
Ooh, a Queen Naija andDoechii link would be fire! For this Ladies First series, I always like to highlight women in the industry supporting women. Who are some ladies who have reached out with kind words or just encouragement when you needed it?
I would definitely say Ella Mai has been one of those people who check on me even when it’s nothing business-related. She’ll check on me and just ask how I’m doing. I can say that H.E.R. has—Gabby has checked on me a couple of times. Without me even thinking that she was thinking about me, she’s always sweet. SZA has always been supportive. She’ll comment under my Instagram posts and buy songs or whatever.
And who else? Who’s really been solid? Latto, too. She’s always been super positive. Who else? I’m sorry [laughs], this is my first interview of the morning so my mind is all over!
It’s all good, I completely understand. Well, we made it to the end because this is my last question. It’s harmless; I ask this to everyone I interview. So, we know that celebrity in and of itself is an illusion. People have these expectations of who you are or what your relationship is like, because of a parasocial relationship with you through social media. When that veil of celebrity is removed, what is something about the heart of Queen Naija that doesn’t always translate to the public because they are fooled by the illusion of the industry?
I feel like a lot of people who are not in my core fan base, they don’t take the time to get to—they don’t take the time to go and do their research on me. I can’t say “get to know me” because they don’t know me personally. But if you really take the time to do some research, and go watch my videos from where it all started, you could pretty much see my personality and my spirit through there. That’s why a lot of people fell in love with me.
Also, [people can’t see] how down to earth I am and how I’m really not superficial. I’m just really a regular person, just like everybody else. I guess sometimes I could say…the industry will like…it includes trolls and people digging up very negative things about you that may not be true. I just, I just feel like, I don’t know. That’s hard to say because a lot of people say that I come off as who I am.
But I’m just a normal person. Like, a super duper normal person [laughs]. I don’t even—I still go to the nail salon, and I don’t care. I still walk into Walmart, I really do not care. And people be like, “Queen, why are you without security?” Maybe I still think that I’m still just unknown? I’m like, “Oh, for real? You see me under this mask? You can tell who I am?” [laughs] Just, if people really just take off the lenses of what social media puts on me, I guess. Then, you can see that I’m just a regular-degular-schmegular girl.
Make sure to stream After the Butterflies on all major platforms, and let us know what you think of Queen Naija’s mixtape.
If there’s one thing you can count on from Queen Naija, it’s the simple fact that she gon’ sing her ass off.
Boasting 9.5 million followers on Instagram alone, the singer-songwriter built her following on Youtube and social media first, before converting all her focus and energy on her artistry. Now, the “Butterflies” recording artist returns to the core of who she is: releasing her newest project titled After The Butterflies.
Clocking in at 10 tracks, the EP speaks volumes to her current relationship with Clarence White, whom she shares a child with. After The Butterflies sees Queen wearing her heart on her sleeve, with standout features from NBA Youngboy, Monica, Ella Mai, and Eric Bellinger.
To celebrate the new release, Queen Naija hosted an exclusive, intimate listening session for the new project, taking over Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood, California. The turnout was incredible, with celebrity sightings from Reginae Carter, Lala Milan, Taina Williams, Baby Tate, Eric Bellinger, and more.
In addition to playing the project in full, Queen Naija did a Q&A with Kendra G.
When it was time to discuss the fan favorite, “No Fake Love” with NBA Youngboy, Queen admitted to judging a book by its cover.
Queen Naija states, “I ain’t gon’ lie, I judged his persona on the media. I was like, how is we gon’ do this song together? I’m such a sweet little bubbly girl, he’s like this real [serious face]. But it turned out good. It’s a cute song about telling people not to play with you, really talking my stuff.”
Queen Naija is a talented singer, there is no disputing that. She is back to put her skills on full display with a brand-new, 10-track EP, After the Butterflies. Over the course of 2023, Naija had been releasing a single here and there to keep her fans satisfied. One of the songs that had some people talking was a pretty unexpected collaboration with NBA YoungBoy.
“No Fake Love” had the contemporary R&B flare with some surprising well-placed vocals from the Lousiana rapper. His lower tone fit in well with the vibe of the track, and is a reason why it is becoming a hit in her catalog. Little did we know, it would be a single to the new EP we have now. In addition to that feature, Naija also taps some R&B powerhouses.
Monica, Eric Bellinger, and Ella Mai land here as well. As the title of the EP states, Naija wants to talk about the feelings you go through after those initial butterflies you get when you really like someone. This is an exciting time for Naija. In addition to this project, the Michigan native has just started a podcast on her YouTube page called Let’s Talk About It. The pilot episode debuted a couple of weeks ago and she grabbed Jayda Cheaves as her first guest. Go check that out, as well as the EP now!
What are your initial thoughts on this brand-new EP from Quen Naija, After the Butterflies? Which tracks are you vibing with right now? Is she an underrated singer in the genre, or properly rated? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Queen Naija, as well as all of the best project drops.
The first of September just so happens to fall on a New Music Friday, so we’re kicking the month off on a high note. Some of the biggest names in hip-hop are racking up streams on their latest singles, including Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. We unfortunately still haven’t heard anything from Drake’s For All The Dogs album, but Queen Naija and NBA YoungBoy’s “No Fake Love” is another noteworthy track worth checking out.
Naija has been hinting at dropping a song with the Louisana native for a while now, and the pair certainly didn’t disappoint. While the 27-year-old’s stunning vocals carry us through the first half of “No Fake Love,” YB comes in with a well-crafted verse to remind us why C-Murder gave him such high praise recently. “I know you got your own, I just wanna hold you down / For me, you’d do the same, I’m who to blame, I kept fake love around,” the young star’s romantic rap begins.
“No Fake Love” from Queen Naija and NBA YoungBoy is Here
This is the third single Naija has delivered so far in 2023. Just days into January she unleashed “Let’s Talk About It,” and in mid-spring, we heard her stunning “Words of Affirmation.” Though she often ends up in the middle of internet drama that has nothing to do with her, the vocalist has been in her own lane and thriving recently, and we can’t wait to see who she’ll connect with next.
Watch the brand new visual for Queen Naija and NBA YoungBoy’s “No Fake Love” single above, and add the track to your playlist on Spotify/Apple Music. The R&B diva has put out plenty of impressive collaborations throughout her career so far, and this one only adds to her list. Read our round-up of other noteworthy releases at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Talk s**t, but they ain’t gon’ ever say it to me Mad, because they know ain’t no replacin’ me I been there and done that, it ain’t no fazin’ me I don’t need no fake love
Multi-platinum powerhouse Queen Naija remains on a hot streak, teaming up with hitmaking rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again for the empowering “No Fake Love,” out today. Accompanied by a feel-good, VHS-inspired video, the sizzling single, which samples Amerie’s seminal 2002 hit “Why Don’t We Fall In Love” comes on the heels of two other slow-burning stunners this year in “Let’s Talk About It” and “Words of Affirmation.”
Co-written by Queen and NBA YoungBoy, “No Fake Love” kicks off with a warning: “You betta be careful,” the R&B songstress belts out before rumbling beats drop in. Over glimmering production, she continues to make her case. “I got the power to make ‘em wait for me,” she declares on the commanding hook. When YoungBoy slips in, he’s just as self-possessed—if not a little on guard. “I ain’t watchu like, then coach me,” he lets loose in his nimble flow. “I love you, but this I don’t need.” As the song slides back into the hypnotic hook, Queen gets the final word, unleashing a powerful mantra: “I’m a force by myself; every time, IMMA bet on me.”
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Emerging onto the music scene with a voice as regal as her name, singer Queen Naija has rapidly ascended the ranks of R&B. Born Queen Naija Bulls in 1995 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this dynamic artist has a story that’s as compelling as her soulful ballads. Queen Naija’s early life was steeped in music. Raised in a household filled with the sounds of Gospel and Soul, she started singing in church and dreamed of a music career. However, her foray into YouTube first put her on the map.
In 2014, she created a YouTube channel with her then-husband, Chris Sails, where they posted pranks, challenges, and personal vlogs. Their channel, Chris and Queen, quickly amassed a large following. After their relationship ended, Queen started her own YouTube channel, where she continued to share vlogs but also began to post covers and original songs. Her audience loved her relatable content and musical talent, but her next move launched her into the mainstream music industry.
A Leap Into Music
In 2018, Queen Naija released her first single, “Medicine.” The song was a bona fide hit, with its powerful lyrics of a woman’s strength in the face of heartbreak resonating with listeners worldwide. “Medicine” catapulted to No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, cementing Queen Naija’s status as a new force in R&B. Following the success of her first single, Queen released a self-titled debut EP in 2018. The EP, featuring hits like “Karma” and “Butterflies,” further underscored her vocal prowess and storytelling ability. Queen Naija reached No. 26 on the Billboard 200 and received positive reviews from critics.
Since her initial success, Queen has collaborated with several esteemed artists. She teamed up with fellow R&B singer Ar’mon for the hit song “No Strings” and also worked with rapper DDG on “Hold Up.” Most notably, she joined forces with pop sensation Ariana Grande for the remix of “Good Morning Text.”
While her music career has flourished, Queen Naija has also navigated personal triumphs and challenges. She’s the proud mother of two sons, and her journey into motherhood has been a recurring theme in her vlogs. However, she’s also faced public scrutiny over her relationships, which she tackles openly in her music.
Her Official Debut
In 2020, Queen Naija released her debut studio album, missunderstood. The album was well-received, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard 200. Critics lauded her for her ability to weave personal stories into catchy R&B anthems. Public response was equally positive, with fans praising the album for its emotional honesty. Additionally, the album features a plethora of collaborations with high-profile artists, including Lil Durk, Russ, and Latto. The album’s lead single, “Pack Lite,” was particularly successful, charting on the Billboard Hot 100.
Queen Naija Is A Busy Woman
Today, Queen Naija is more than just a YouTube personality or a talented singer; she’s a force in the music industry. She’s consistently working on new music, and while she of often the target of trolls, her fans await her releases. She remains dedicated to her craft and authenticity as she continues to make waves in the industry. Her journey is not just about music—it’s about living honestly, sharing stories of love and heartbreak, and staying true to oneself amid fame. As she moves forward, Queen Naija promises to remain a vibrant and powerful force in music.
Queen Naija is an American singer who is popular for her relationship songs. She sings about things like love, heartbreak, and relationships that are true to her feelings. Her music is R&B and is frequently passionate and relatable, which has struck a chord with many admirers. Hence, if you are an R&B lover, you should be ready to read this article to the last sentence. Here are the best Queen Naija collaborations.
Queen Naija’s smash R&B single “Hate Our Love” features Big Sean. It came out in February 2022. When this song came out, it was the most-played R&B song in the country. The song has topped Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. It’s Naija’s fourth number-one song in a row, and it’s Big Sean’s first. Also, this song peaked at number 32 on the Billboard charts, and it was featured in the movie Fifty Shades Freed.
Nevertheless, the song is about a bad relationship and how love can survive even though it is bad. Queen Naija’s vocals are raw and emotional, and they show how the lyrics make her feel. Big Sean’s rap verse is very impressive and goes well with Queen Naija’s voice.
“Boy, I love you on your worst day
Still see you how I saw you on the first day (first day)
Even though there’s times that we ain’t seeing eye to eye
Can’t imagine spending holidays or birthdays without you
And the moment I leave, I miss being around you (yeah, yeah)”
Here is a quotable lyrics from this song that depicts the message of the song. So, if your relationship is going through its worst time you can check out this song and let’s know how you feel!
What’s My Name by Queen Naija ft. Fivio Foreign, and Coi Leray
What’s My Name is a song about wanting to be known and seen for who you are, not for what others expect of you. Fivio Foreign, Queen Naija, and Coi Leray collaborated together on this song. This single came out on June 30, 2022, and peaked at number twenty-one on the R&B charts in the United States. In the end, it became one of the most popular songs on the album B.I.B.L.E. and was used in the movie The Get Down.
Mama’s Hand
Mama’s Hand is a song about struggling to grow up and trying to figure out your purpose in life. Everyone can relate to this song, whether they are still in school or have already graduated. The song came out in 2018 as one of the best songs on the album Queen Naija. Fortunately, this song got a lot of attention quickly and made it to number 7 on the Top R&B charts. It was also up for several awards, including two Grammys for Best R&B Performance. This song is on the movie The Hate U Give’s soundtrack.
Overall, this song is a great song that can help you light your mood when you go through the struggle of figuring out your purpose in life. Kindly stream this song on any platform and let’s know what you feel about it in the comment section.
“I don’t wanna think, she come and relax me, huh
Divin’ at the water, breaststroke
Tell me your thoughts, Peep Show
Now on a mission, don’t stop”
Quotable lyrics from the song.
Medicine
Medicine is the first song on Queen Naija’s album which came out in 2018. This song is about a relationship that is bad for both people and about how suffering can become a drug. This song was also made by D.A. Doman and written by Queen Naija. It did well, reaching number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It has been used as background music for several movies, TV shows, and movies, such as Grown-ish and All American.
“Swear I cannot win for losing
I been out here being faithful
I always got this on lockdown
But that ain’t been keeping us stable
So I guess I know what I gotta do
Give you a taste of your own medicine (hey, yeah)”
Basically, these lyrics are just a glimpse of the whole song. When you check out this song, you will love every bit of it.
Butterflies
Queen Naija never disappoints in all of her music. And you can always trust her to give you the best relationship songs. Butterflies is another great song from her that is about the excitement of starting a new relationship and falling in love. Queen Naija sings about how happy she feels with her new boyfriend. The song was one of the best ones on the album Queen Naija, which came out in 2018. This song did well on the US R&B chart, peaking at number eight.
Moreso, this song has made it into the movie business. It was used as the background music in the movie The First Purge. You should check out this song and enjoy it with your new boyfriend/girlfriend!
Pack Lite
This is a beautiful song about breaking up and getting over it. Queen Naija sings about a relationship that didn’t work out and how she is moving on from it. In the year 2020, the song was released. It’s a great song from the Missunderstood album. Additionally, this song was in the movie The Photograph and got to number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
One of Queen Naija’s best songs, “Lie to Me,” is a heartbreaking ballad about a relationship that ended. The song by Queen Naija reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her best-performing single to date. The magic got even better when she worked with Lil Durk because the two musicians get along so well. In addition, this song is on the soundtracks of a number of movies, such as The Fault in Our Stars.
Good Morning Text
The song Good Morning Text is about being thankful for the small things in life. Queen Naija sings about how something as simple as a “good morning” text message can make her day better. This song was the first single from her album Good Morning SMS, which came out in 2019. “Good Morning Text” did very well, peaking at number 43 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Still, it has featured as a soundtrack in a number of movies, including The Fault in Our Stars, Me Before You, and The Sun Is Also a Star.
Karma
Karma is one of the most popular songs from the album Queen Naija. This song is about a person who thinks about a love that didn’t work out. The person thinks about how they were abused and how they are better off without that person. All Music says that this song is motivational and shows how to get over a bad relationship. The song reached number four on the R&B charts in the US and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Furthermore, the movies The Hate U Give and Insecure featured Karma as background music.
Bed Friend
Jacquees wrote this song and it features Queen Naija. The song is about being friends with benefits and how sometimes it can be hard to keep things just physical. The single got to number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 list. Furthermore, this song was used as background music in a number of movies, such as Insecure and The Perfect Gentleman.
If you feel like you can relate to the message of the song, you should stream the song. Moreso, kindly share your thoughts on it in the comment section.
“See, we started off as best friends (you should be)
Now you my bed friend (my bed)
Whole big relationship (friend)
Hope this don’t dead-end” A short lyric from the song.
(@blacchyna)
