King Princess delivers queer realness with debut album Cheap Queen

Mikaela Straus, known better as King Princess, recently released her debut album Cheap Queen (2019). The queer pop icon has racked up a lot of attention since dropping three singles last year: “1950,” “Pussy Is God,” and “Talia.” She is also now signed up to open for Harry Styles on his European tour. Rocking curly bangs and a wife-beater, Straus is a refreshing face in the pop genre.

King Princess has been bringing much needed queer representation to the world of pop and is wonderfully brash about it with lyrics like “your pussy is god and I love it.” The album name Cheap Queen derives from a term used in drag culture referring to a resourceful queen who makes something out of not very much. The cover displays Straus shirtless with shameless armpit hair, in a full face of drag makeup. It’s a perfect example of the artist challenging our perception of gender and sexuality.

My first listen of this album was slightly disappointing, most of the tracks are not instantly lovable like “1950” and “Talia.” But on the second and third listen, I started to appreciate her use of dreamy drum synths and reverb-laden guitar. You can easily scream-sing these lyrics into a hairbrush in your messy dorm after being left on read.

What is really remarkable about this album and Straus’s other work is that it provides music that never really existed for people in the LGBTQ+ community, especially lesbian women. It’s nearly impossible to find quality music about crushes, sex, and breakups written by and for gay women. King Princess’s music has been widely received as relatable to the queer experience. For instance, “Homegirl” deals with being publicly affectionate with a woman and the cruel way the world perceives and reacts to queer love.

My highlights of the album include “If You Think It’s Love” and “Prophet.” Both tracks are a perfect mix of emotional and badass. Oh, and let’s not forget the music video for “Cheap Queen,” which features a spectacular multicolored suit and a talking sandwich. Overall, King Princess is radically shaking up the historically heterosexual genre of pop both with her music videos, music, and overall media presence.

“I hope that people start to see identity in music as just a fact. It makes it seem like straight music is the norm, and I’m bored. I’m bored of that.” – King Princess

Article by Daniella Ivanir