Princess Nokia Hits Houston for: UNITY Women’s Music & Art Show
August 24, 2017
Article & Photography By: Jessica Perez
Princess Nokia
Rapper. New Yorker. Afro-Latina. Urban feminist. Bruja. Tomboy. Artist. Activist. Princess Nokia is the definition intersectional existence. In the midst of embarking on a worldwide summer tour for her newest album 1992 Deluxe, Princess Nokia swung through Houston to show us some love. She headlined the UNITY Women’s Music and Art Show at Warehouse Live curated by New Houston Music Outlet, just one night before Harvey showed its wrath upon our city.
UNITY would become the first ever major show that I’d cover for a worldwide touring rapper. Naturally, nerves took over but upon entering the venue I immediately felt a shift in energy. DJ Angiesliste provided a fire set, spinning nostalgic throwbacks back-to-back while the line for free tacos (yes...free tacos!) quickly extended.
The show kicked off with an all-female lineup of openers made up of Houston’s very own Sha Davis & the 1990’s, Aphasia, and TomyRiis. Each of whom individually showed out and came through for the crowd!
@shadavis @ aphasialyn
@tomyriis @angie_n64
The ambiance was nothing short of a safe, positive space filled with a myriad of vibrant individuals whom eclectically displayed their creativity through fashion, makeup and art which is exactly what Nokia stands for. In her music, often is found a common narrative of freedom of expression, values of individuality, self-love, and a rebellion against what society deems a norm.
@crygender @latifaya @wonderfulwazard
The ambiance was nothing short of a safe, positive space filled with a myriad of beautiful, vibrant individuals whom eclectically displayed their creativity through fashion, makeup and art which is exactly what Nokia stands for. In her music, often is found a common narrative of freedom of expression, values of individuality, self-love, and a rebellion against what society deems a norm. Considering her multifaceted collection of music, she succeeded in delivering a variety of works to her congregation of chanting fans. Some of which included tracks like newest drop “G.O.A.T” followed by “Kitana”, “Tomboy” and “Brujas”. Nokia also blessed the crowd with an acapella version of unreleased banger “Goth Kid”. Like many of her other songs "Goth Kid" was filled with aggressive, unapologetic bars that she delivered in a deeper, husky register giving us those early Lil' Kim vibes.
She later transitioned to some of her older, more experimental numbers like “Apple Pie” and “Young Girls” where she pulled up an 8-year old fan from the crowd onto the stage as they performed the entire song together. Princess Nokia closed out the UNITY Women’s Music and Art Show with a spontaneous meet and greet. Normally, when artists conclude a show they disappear into the depths of their back stage. When she did not immediately do so, a fan made her way to the stage to retrieve an autograph and others followed. Typically this is the point where security gets involved and ends this type of interaction, but instead Princess Nokia proceeded to mingle with fans, hand out autographs & indulge in selfies with her fans.
Nokia even made her way to check out all of the vendors. She spent some time at Austin vendor: Las Ofrenda's booth and ended up purchasing a floral crown that she would later be seen wearing at the Afro Punk Fest 2017. Some of the other local vendors included Wonderful Wazard, Hermanitas Boutique, Desert Flower Designers, Mija Cultura, The Regal People, Jasmine Monseque and Kurvin. All of which embraced space though out the venue selling intricately hand-made pieces of jewelry, accessories, clothing, works of art and more. Attendees thanked Nokia, openers, and vendors for charmingly gracing us with their presence and providing a safe space in celebration of hip hop, art, and women in all of their glorious, divine feminine energy.
