An ever-rising star on social media and in the city’s queer indie music scene, Thee Queen Princess is ready to rule with big gigs and a new EP on the way! [Cover photo: LaQuann Dawson]
Thotyssey: Hello TQP, thanks for chatting with us today! So we’re in the middle of a Nor’Easter that shut down so much local programming in venues large and small this weekend… but it didn’t really get dicey in our area until Sunday! Do you like Sweater Weather though, or are you more of a Summer Girlie?
Thee Queen Princess: Absolutely a Sweater Weather Diva–I hate the heat and sweating! In the fall and winter, I love the weather because I can wear my big sexy coat and the sexiest outfit underneath, lol.
A perfect combo! I was just watching the artist now known as Lilac Blush’s video for “In the Zone,” in which you appear and serve featured vocals. Lilac has produced a lot of your music. That video was from the beginning the year… was that a fun collab?
I’m so honored to be on that song! I have never really done something like that before; they wrote the melody and sent it to me, and the words just came out. My producer has taught me so much, and this collab is just another example of that. It’s truly one of my favorite songs of all time.
You and Lilac are part of this sort of “Brat Pack” of queer indie music artists in NYC with a pop / hip hop / dance sound. I’d include Jayse Vegas, Robert Garcia, Plumpiana, Senerio, Josh Lumsden, Gab Rydelle, Noah Landry and a few more in that group, and you all frequently collaborate in each other’s projects and shows. That’s gotta be a fun and helpful community to be a part of!
Obsessed with that title, lol! And yes, oh goodness! When I moved to NYC, I had nothing and was starting over–really becoming Thee Queen. Every artist that I’m around has taken me under their wings and truly taught me how to fly. I have always wanted this; everyone needs community. My “Where We Collide” video featuring Plumpiana is kind of like a love letter to everyone in New York that has supported me. It’s a dream come true.
My community is always expanding, and I’ve been really lucky enough to be featured on a lot of people’s music. The most recent honor was being featured on Odessa Da Gawd’s spoken word album on the song “The Night Show,” which is another love letter to New York City.
How might you describe your music today by the way, as far as vibes, genres, etc.?
It’s giving pop, r&b and soul with some electronic influence!
Where are you from originally, and did you always have music and performance in your life growing up?
I’m Congolese and the first generation of the family, but we lived all over the States.
I have always loved music; growing up; I always knew I wanted to be a singer and a talk show host! But music is my one true love, for sure. I was in eight million choirs in school–I did the whole choir competition scene–like Glee, lol. I was obsessed! So I always knew I would be a musician of some kind.
How did the Thee Queen Princess persona / project come about?
In 2019, I had a year living off the land in LA where I came back to music, and truly survived off of gigs on Venice Beach. I just fell back in love with music after a long period of being insecure, and not really confident in myself. Then I moved to NYC in 2020, and the pandemic took over the world… so I just wrote music and started finding my way back to music again.
One day in 2020, I literally woke up and the name Thee Queen Princess came to me! I will say it is also an ode to Megan Thee Stallion; I take a lot of inspiration from her strength, so the “Thee” was only appropriate. And my mom–she really is Thee Queen Princess, lol. She grew up going to all girl boarding schools in London, so she’s very proper with queen behavior. That’s where I really get my attitude!
If someone only had, like, 30 minutes to get the full gist of the Thee Queen Princess experience online via YouTube and social media / music platforms, what are three things they should watch / stream and why?
Any episode of “Becoming Thee Queen” on my Instagram! I dive into my process, and the ways I take inspiration and put it in my life, my music, my world! The Array of Adventures YouTube page houses all my music videos! Arrayofadventures is a production company my designer / little sister Paris Marie and I work together on, where we bring our dreams to life and help each other out. Also stream “Italian Penthouse Perception” because that was the first song I ever dropped, and it’s really the beginning of my story! All the music I have out now will be a part of my first EP, Thoughts from Thee Pink Penthouse. So stream it all, baby!
What are the biggest joys and the most difficult challenges of being a queer indie music artist today?
I have so much fun being a queer artist. I think we have this privilege, especially living in New York City, where we can truly be who we wanna be–and that has been really transformative for me. I think the difficult challenges is that as a queer artist–as an artist–I mean, it’s the money, lol. This doesn’t come for free, and we all work really hard to create this fantasy world that we’ve always dreamed of. And so it’s 2026–you know, taxes are high, the money is crazy. But I think that’s for any artist you know in the world.
It’s so cool to be a part of a time that is really pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a queer artist, and I am incredibly honored to be surrounded by such talented individuals. Also, I’m super passionate about artistry and queer artistry, and representation visibility. So I take a lot of inspiration from NYC drag queens.
Have you had a favorite experience performing live?
Oh goodness, every time I perform is so fun. I’ve done Sony Hall with “Night of Life” and that was so fun; I had a team of dancers and such a big stage. Any time I do OTA (Open to All) I’m, like, pinching myself because I’m obsessed with ballroom… and 3 Dollar Bill is such a fun stage to perform on. Me and Plumpiana have had the best time performing together; my fave performance is pinned in my Instagram. I’m so so lucky she did that with me. “Where We Collide” was also inspired by her song “The Plump Room,” so it’s always so fun to bring “The Plump Room” to Thee Pink Penthouse!
You’re returning to OTA at 3 Dollar Bill on Monday, as part of the pre-Ball show lineup! What can we expect from this ki?
So I’m dropping a new song next month called “Paying My Respect,” and I’m really excited to perform that on the big stage! I’m wrapping up my EP now, so this performance is going to be a preview of the last part of the EP. I always love to set the vibe and welcome everyone back into Thee Pink Penthouse, and this will be no different. But with this performance, I’m leaning into the most honest side of Thee Queen Princess.
What else is coming up for you?
Thoughts From Thee Pink Penthouse will drop at the end of this year. I’m going to be doing more “Becoming Thee Queen” featuring more celebrity guests, and I have merch available on sale now!
Okay, lastly: besides your own stuff, what other music are you listening to these days?
Always listening to Beyonce, Gaga, Thee Stallion and Hayley Williams. Charli XCX’s new stuff is so fun too, and I’ve always loved her. Also: Bob Moses, Aya Nakamura and Doja Cat and Tems.
Thanks, Queen!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Thee Queen Princess’ upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Download and stream her music and content across multiple platforms.
