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Queen Naija

Queen Naija Bulls (/ˈnɑːdʒə/;[2] born October 17, 1995) is an American singer and media personality. Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, she began her career as a YouTube vlogger, and appeared on the thirteenth season of American Idol. Her 2017 single, "Medicine" peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100; the following year, she signed with Capitol Records. The song and its 2018 follow-ups, "Karma" and "Butterflies" each received double platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and preceded the release of her self-titled debut extended play (2018), which peaked at number 26 on the Billboard 200. Bulls' debut studio album, Missunderstood (2020) peaked at number nine on the chart.[3]

Queen Naija
Queen Naija in 2023
Background information
Birth nameQueen Naija Bulls
Born (1995-10-17) October 17, 1995 (age 29)
Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S.
GenresR&B[1]
Occupations
  • Singer
  • media personality
Years active2014–present
LabelsCapitol
Children2
Websiteiamqueennaija.com

Early life

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Queen Naija was born on October 17, 1995, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She has described her background as a mix of "Arab, Black and Italian",[4] but has also mentioned having Indian[a] ancestry, though she was not sure how much.[5] Her father is from Yemen.[6][7]

Her birth name, Queen Naija, was given to her by her mother. "Queen" was inspired by her grandmother, who had the same first name, and "Naija" represented her father's name.[8]

Career

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2014–2017: American Idol and YouTube

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Queen Naija first gained prominence as a contestant on the thirteenth season of American Idol. She had auditioned two years earlier but had failed to advance into the next round.[9] In the thirteenth season, she advanced into the Hollywood round, but was cut when the top 30 were chosen.[9] Afterwards, Queen Naija went back to working as a security guard. She then continued on building her YouTube career.[10]

2017–2019: Musical career beginnings and Queen Naija EP

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Queen Naija released her song "Medicine" in December 2017 and "Karma", her second single, in June 2018.[citation needed]

Queen Naija did a video interview for the song "Medicine" with Genius in January 2018.[11] Queen documented on her YouTube channel a few meetings with record labels that she attended with her team/management.[12] By March 2018, Queen's initial song post of "Medicine" had more than 10 million views.[13] An official music video was released later that month.[14] The video acquired 4.5 million views on the day of its release, and has over 150+ million views as of December 2019.[15] In July 2018, Queen Naija created a new collaborative YouTube channel, "Royal Family", alongside her new boyfriend, Clarence White. The channel has 2.79 million subscribers as of March 2021.[16]

On April 25, 2018, Queen Naija signed to Capitol Records.[17] On June 28, she released her second single, "Karma". She wrote and recorded the song in January 2018.[18] On the same day, the song reached number one overall on the iTunes charts.[19] "Karma" debuted at number 13 on the Billboard Digital Songs sales chart,[20] and at number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100.[21] The audio for the song has over 116 million views as of March 2021.[22]

Queen Naija released her self-titled extended play on July 27, 2018. It consists of five songs: "Medicine", "Karma", "Mama's Hand", "Butterflies", and "Bad Boy".[23] The project includes production from No I.D., El Jefe, Rob Grimaldi, 30 Hertz Beats, and ClickNPress.[24] Queen described the EP as an emotional journey in which each song describes either an experience or emotion she has gone through.[25] The songs reference topics including heartbreak and betrayal, motherhood, and finding new love again.[26] "Medicine" deals with her heartbreak and emotions toward her ex-partner, and "Karma" explains overcoming the heartbreak while sending a message that she will be fine. "Mama's Hand" is dedicated to her son; she promises to give him everything and encourages him to have optimistic thoughts about the future.[27] "Butterflies" reveals that she is beginning to fall in love again with someone new. "Bad Boy" describes her connection with a new lover, and how her goodness may cause him to change for the better.[27] The EP debuted at number 26 on the Billboard 200 and reached number one on the Apple Music R&B charts.[28]

2020–present: Missunderstood

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Queen Naija in 2022

On July 24, 2020, Queen Naija released "Pack Lite", the first single for her debut album. A video for the song was released on July 31.[29] Queen released the single "Lie to Me" featuring Lil Durk on October 2. On October 5, Queen released a visual for the song. The song samples DeBarge's "A Dream".[30] On October 30, Queen Naija released her debut album, Missunderstood. The album is 18 tracks long and features artists such as Jacquees, Toosii, Mulatto, Pretty Vee, Russ, Lucky Daye, Kiana Ledé, and more.[31] Three singles from the album were Certified Gold by the RIAA. The deluxe edition of the album titled Missunderstood...Still featuring J.I the Prince of N.Y and Ari Lennox was released on April 16, 2021. On October 28, 2021, Missunderstood was nominated at the 2021 American Music Awards.[32] On October 17, 2021, on Queen's 26th birthday, she started the mini Butterfly Tour, her second tour, across 19 US cities, with special guest Tink.[citation needed]

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[33] 		US
R&B
/HH
[34] 		US R&B
[35]
Missunderstood 9 6 1

Mixtapes

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List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Album details
After the Butterflies
  • Released: November 17, 2023
  • Label: Capitol
  • Format: digital download, streaming

Extended plays

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List of extended plays, with selected details and chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[37] 		US
R&B
/HH
[34] 		US R&B
[35]
Queen Naija EP[38] 26 14 2

Singles

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected details and chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[40] 		US
Adult
R&B 		US
R&B
/HH
[41] 		US R&B
"Medicine"[42] 2017 45 1 20 3
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum[43]
 Queen Naija
"Karma"[44] 2018 63 1 40 7
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum[43]
"Butterflies" —[45] — 49 14
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum[43]
"War Cry"[46] — — — — Non-album singles
"Away from You" 2019 — — — —
"Good Morning Text" — — — —
"Butterflies Pt.2" 2020 — 1 — 10 Missunderstood
"Pack Lite" — 11 — 11
"Lie to Me"[47]
(featuring Lil Durk) 		—[48] — — 10
"Love Language" — — — —
"Bitter"[49]
(featuring Latto) 		— — — 18
"Set Him Up"[50]
(featuring Ari Lennox) 		2021 — — — 14 Missunderstood...Still
"Hate Our Love"[51]
(with Big Sean) 		2022 88
[52]		 1 31 5 Non-album singles
"No Fake Love
(featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again) 		2023 — — — 12
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List of singles as a featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Peak chart positions Year Album
US
R&B
"Pieces"
(YNW Melly featuring Queen Naija) 		— 2021 Just a Matter of Slime
"Bed Friend"
(Jacquees featuring Queen Naija) 		25 Non-album single

Awards and nominations

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Awards Year Nominee Category Result Ref.
American Music Awards 2019 Herself Top R&B Female Artist Nominated [53]
2021 Missunderstood Favorite R&B Album Nominated [54]
BET Awards 2019 Herself Best New Artist Nominated [55]
"Mama's Hand" BET Her Award Nominated
IHeartRadio Music Awards Herself Best New R&B Artist Nominated [56]
Social Star Award Nominated
Soul Train Music Awards 2018 Best New Artist Nominated [57]
2022 "Hate Our Love" Best Collaboration Nominated [58]

Notes

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  1. ^ Due to the ambiguity of the word "Indian" in English, this could mean "Indian" in reference to having partial Native American ancestry, or "Indian" meaning she has ancestry from the Indian subcontinent.

References

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  1. ^ Yohannes, Alamin (November 2020). "Queen Naija on feeling misunderstood, one-hit wonders, and her debut album". Entertainment Weekly.
  2. ^ "Queen Naija Goes Undercover on YouTube, Twitter and Wikipedia". GQ. December 1, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  3. ^ "Rap Radar Podcast: Queen Naija - Rap Radar". November 30, 2023.
  4. ^ Queen Naija (January 10, 2018), Queen Naija Reveals Her Heritage, retrieved July 12, 2020
  5. ^ MY FIRST Q&A (GET TO KNOW QUEEN), April 20, 2017, retrieved July 26, 2020 – via YouTube, I'm half Arab, and then the other part is Black and Italian. My mom is Black, Italian and Indian, but I don't know how much so I just say "Arab, Black, and Italian.
  6. ^ Queen Naija (November 6, 2017). "THE TRUTH BEHIND MY DAD". YouTube. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  7. ^ Queen Naija (September 10, 2018). "Queen Naija Reveals Origin Of Her Name and Correct Way To Pronounce It". YouTube. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  8. ^ Queen Naija Reveals Origin Of Her Name and Correct Way To Pronounce It, September 10, 2018, retrieved October 5, 2018 – via DJ Smallz Eyes 2 on YouTube
  9. ^ a b American Idol (January 22, 2014). "Road to Hollywood: Queen Bulls – AMERICAN IDOL SEASON XIII". YouTube. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  10. ^ 106 KMEL (July 16, 2018), Queen Naija talks Detroit Slang, Cardi B, American Idol, and Her Ex!, retrieved October 5, 2018{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Genius (January 23, 2018). "Queen Naija "Medicine" Official Lyrics & Meaning | Verified". YouTube. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  12. ^ Queen Naija (March 21, 2018), FINALLY TOOK Y'ALL TO MY MEETING!, retrieved October 5, 2018
  13. ^ "Queen Naija👑 on Instagram: "Came to Get Pizza & Pieces from @cutsandslicesnyc @mclarenkickshop1 & then CLARENCE HANDSOME BEAUTIFUL SELF CAME & POPPED CHAMPAGNE ON A…"". Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2018 – via Instagram.
  14. ^ "How YouTube Vlogger Queen Naija's Viral Breakup Inspired Her Hot 100 Breakthrough". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  15. ^ Queen Naija (March 29, 2018), MEDICINE – QUEEN NAIJA (OFFICIAL VIDEO), retrieved October 6, 2018
  16. ^ "Royal Family". YouTube. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  17. ^ "Queen Naija👑 on Instagram: "First of all, I want to give ALL THE GLORY AND HONOR TO JESUS!!! And I TRULY wouldn't have been able to do this WITHOUT ROYALTY SQUAD!!!…"". Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2018 – via Instagram.
  18. ^ Brittney Michelle (January 15, 2018), Queen Naija sings new song Karma live, retrieved October 6, 2018
  19. ^ "Blue Rose 🌹 on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  20. ^ "Queen Naija's "Karma" Debuts At #13 On Digital Song Sales, #63 On Hot 100". Headline Planet. July 10, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  21. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: July 14, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  22. ^ QueenNaijaVEVO (June 28, 2018), Queen Naija – Karma (Audio), retrieved October 6, 2018
  23. ^ Queen Naija – EP by Queen Naija, July 27, 2018, retrieved October 6, 2018
  24. ^ "Read All The Lyrics To Queen Naija's Self-Titled Debut EP". Genius. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  25. ^ Genius (August 8, 2018), Queen Naija Discusses Her Debut EP & Grammy Goals | For The Record, retrieved October 7, 2018
  26. ^ "Queen Naija Goes the Self-Titled Route With Her Debut EP | The Source". The Source. July 28, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  27. ^ a b "Queen Naija releases a beautiful self-titled debut EP [REVIEW]". Bong Mines Entertainment. August 1, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  28. ^ "Billboard 200: August 11, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  29. ^ "Queen Naija – "Pack Lite" (Official Video)". July 31, 2020 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ "Queen Naija drops a visual for her single "Lie to Me" featuring Lil Durk – Music News – ABC News Radio". abcnewsradioonline.com. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  31. ^ Powell, Jon (October 30, 2020). "Queen Naija is 'missunderstood' on new album". Revolt. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  32. ^ "'Missunderstood…Still: Queen Naija to release deluxe edition of her debut album this Friday". April 12, 2021.
  33. ^ Caulfield, Keith (November 8, 2020). "Ariana Grande Claims Fifth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Positions'". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  34. ^ a b "Chart Search for Queen Naija, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  35. ^ a b "Chart Search for Queen Naija, Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  36. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  37. ^ "Chart Search for Queen Naija, Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  38. ^ "iTunes – Music – Queen Naija – (EP)". July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018 – via Apple Music.
  39. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  40. ^ "Chart Search for Queen Naija, Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  41. ^ "Chart Search for Queen Naija, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  42. ^ "Medicine – Single by Queen Naija on Apple Music". June 8, 2018 – via Apple Music.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g "Gold & Platinum: Queen Naija". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  44. ^ "Karma – Single by Queen Naija on Apple Music". June 29, 2018 – via Apple Music.
  45. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  46. ^ "War Cry – Single by Queen Naija on Apple Music". December 14, 2018 – via Apple Music.
  47. ^ @queennaija (September 30, 2020). ""Lie To Me" feat. @lildurk drops Friday !..." (Tweet). Retrieved September 30, 2020 – via Twitter.
  48. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  49. ^ @queennaija (October 25, 2020). "Man @mulatto really slid on her verse ... can't wait to drop "Bitter"" (Tweet). Retrieved October 26, 2020 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. (April 4, 2021). "Queen Naija Speaks Out Amid Backlash from Forthcoming New Song "Set Him Up" f/ Ari Lennox". Complex. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  51. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. (February 4, 2022). "Queen Naija Connects With Big Sean on New Song "Hate Our Love"". Complex. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  52. ^ @billboardcharts (February 14, 2022). "@queennaija & @BigSean's "Hate Our Love" debuts at No. 88 on this week's #Hot100" (Tweet). Retrieved February 15, 2022 – via Twitter.
  53. ^ Lynch, Joe (May 1, 2019). "2019 Billboard Music Awards Winners: The Complete List". Billboard.
  54. ^ Atkinson, Katie (November 21, 2021). "Here Are All the 2021 American Music Awards Winners". Billboard.
  55. ^ Cordero, Rosy (June 23, 2019). "BET Awards 2019: See the full list of winners". Entertainment Weekly.
  56. ^ "iHeartRadio Music Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. March 14, 2019.
  57. ^ Blakemore, Peyton (November 27, 2018). "Bruno Mars, Ella Mai and Daniel Caesar Win Big At 2018 Soul Train Awards". iHeart.
  58. ^ Grein, Paul (November 26, 2022). "Beyoncé Wins Big at 2022 Soul Train Awards: Full Winners List". Billboard.
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