We were so impressed by New York-based Princess Nokia‘s “Tomboy” video (below), we reached out to her to sit for an interview and get her thoughts on a variety of topics including music, rap culture and fashion.
In part one, the singer, rapper and model, discusses her next, “entirely rap” music project, titled “1992,” slated for a July release.
In discussing her music, Nokia (real name Destiny Frasqueri) says she’s been approached by several labels, but plans to remain an independent artist, saying, “There is no money in record deals,” adding, “I’m not a woman looking to be taken advantage of.”
She also explains the message behind her most recent video, “Tomboy,” pointing out the video speaks to her identity as a born-and-raised New York City kid, and also is about duality and “being the coolest person and the ugliest at the same time.”
Nokia also discusses experiencing gentrification and how it’s impacted her and the people living in the working class, low-income NYC neighborhoods she grew up in. Says Nokia, “[Gentrification] makes people feel like they’re f*cking animals, like they’re worth is nothing.”
Check out the exchange below along with her “Tomboy” video.
