Frasqueri recorded her first song, "Destiny", in 2010, and released it under the name of Wavy Spice on her SoundCloud and her YouTube channel in mid-2012. It was largely autobiographical and gained modest popularity. Subsequently, she released her second track, "Bitch I'm Posh". The track went viral, and as of December 2017, received 110,000 plays on Soundcloud. Frasqueri then released YAYA, which was a commentary of perceptions of colonial history. Frasqueri continued to release singles, such as Dragons, a Game of Thrones inspired piece, Honeysuckle, and Vicki Gotti until changing her moniker to Princess Nokia. She released her mixtape, 1992, on Soundcloud. She also began touring.
Frasqueri was praised for her feminism, especially after confronting a man yelling racial slurs on a subway train. She also founded the Smart Girls Club, a podcast where she discusses healthy living and "urban feminism".
Frasqueri claims Princess Nokia is an alter ego, which she introduced with the track "Nokia". She released an album named Metallic Butterfly on May 12, 2014, and was debuted on Vice and Soundcloud.
On September 8, 2017, she released her debut studio album, 1992 Deluxe, which was an expanded version of her 2016 mixtape, 1992. It peaked at number 25 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart. NME listed it as the 32nd best album of 2017.
Nokia also has debuted a new radio show on Apple's Beats 1 Radio on February 18, 2018. She has a total of 6 episodes labeled, "The Voices in My Head with Princess Nokia."
Brujas
Princess Nokia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the supreme
We is them ghetto witches
Speaking in tongue bitches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door
We is them ghetto witches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door
We is them ghetto witches
Speaking in tongue bitches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door
We is them ghetto witches
Speaking in tongue bitches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door
Talk shit, we can cast spells
Long weaves, long nails
Cornrows, pigtails
Baby fathers still in jail
Good witches, I fuck with
Bad bitches, we run shit
four bitches, four corners
North, East, West, South shit
Good witches, I fuck with
Hopped off of my broomstick
Witchcraft, bitch craft
Light magic, it's nothing
Orisha, my alter
Orisha, my alter
Orisha, my alter
Got coins on the counter
I'm that Black a-Rican bruja straight out from the Yoruba
And my people come from Africa diaspora, Cuba
And you mix that Arawak, that original people
I'm that Black Native American, I vanquish all evil
I'm that Black a-Rican bruja straight out from the Yoruba
And my ancestors Nigerian, my grandmas was brujas
And I come from an island and it's called Puerto Rico
And it's one of the smallest but it got the most people
Orisha, my alter
Orisha, my alter
Orisha, my alter
Got coins on the counter
Orisha, my alter
Orisha, my alter
Orisha, my alter
Got coins on the counter
Don't you fuck with my energy
Don't you fuck with my energy
Don't you fuck with my energy
Don't you fuck with my energy
Don't you fuck with my energy
Don't you fuck with my energy
Don't you fuck with my energy
Don't you fuck with my energy
Casting spells with my cousins
I'm the head of this coven
I'm a shapeshifting bitch, you don't know who you loving
Better light you a candle
I heard the nighttime was black
And if you don't watch your step the greatest bitch will be back
I cast a circle in white and I can vanquish your spite
And if you hex me with hate then I'ma conjure the light
Your evil ways put no fight, I ain't no queen of the night
I'm a bruja, I'm a bruja, and I'ma dress in all white
I'm the supreme
I'm the supreme
I'm the supreme
I'm the supreme
I'm the supreme
I'm the supreme
I'm the supreme
I'm the supreme
In Princess Nokia's song "Brujas", the rapper presents herself as a powerful Black a-Rican bruja (witch) who draws upon her ancestral connections to the Yoruba people of Africa and her Afro-Caribbean roots. The chorus, "We is them ghetto witches, speaking in tongue bitches, fall on the floor, got sage on the door", asserts a sense of community among the marginalized and powerful women who practice witchcraft, often as a form of resistance and healing. The lyrics of the song speak to the power of magic and spell-casting, as well as the importance of protecting one's energy and invoking the spirits of one's ancestors for guidance and protection.
The song also highlights the richness and complexity of the rapper's cultural heritage, which is actively erased or overlooked in mainstream representations of Latinx, Afro-Latinx or Black culture. Through this song and her music, Princess Nokia reclaims and celebrates the diverse cultural influences that have shaped her identity and worldview.
Line by Line Meaning
We is them ghetto witches
We are the witches from the ghetto
Speaking in tongue bitches
We speak in tongues
Fall on the floor
We fall to the floor
Got sage on the door
We have sage on the door to purify the entrance
Talk shit, we can cast spells
If you talk negatively, we can cast a spell on you
Long weaves, long nails
We have long hair extensions and nails
Cornrows, pigtails
We braid our hair in a specific way
Baby fathers still in jail
Our partners are still in prison
Good witches, I fuck with
I support good witches
Bad bitches, we run shit
We bad witches rule everything
four bitches, four corners
Four witches, each occupying a corner of the Earth
North, East, West, South shit
Representing every direction of the compass
Hopped off of my broomstick
I have abandoned my witchcraft ways
Witchcraft, bitch craft
The magic of witches
Light magic, it's nothing
Using light magic is simple
Orisha, my alter
My shrine is dedicated to the Orisha deity
Got coins on the counter
There are coins placed on the altar as an offering
I'm that Black a-Rican bruja straight out from the Yoruba
I am a Black Puerto Rican witch from the Yoruba culture
And my people come from Africa diaspora, Cuba
My ancestors were part of the African diaspora in Cuba
And you mix that Arawak, that original people
We are also mixed with the Arawak indigenous people
I'm that Black Native American, I vanquish all evil
I am a Black Native American who defeats all evil
And my ancestors Nigerian, my grandmas was brujas
My ancestors are from Nigeria and my grandmothers were witches
And I come from an island and it's called Puerto Rico
I am from the island of Puerto Rico
And it's one of the smallest but it got the most people
Despite being one of the smallest islands, it has a large population
Don't you fuck with my energy
Do not disrupt my positive energy
Casting spells with my cousins
My cousins and I cast spells together
I'm the head of this coven
I am the leader of this group of witches
I'm a shapeshifting bitch, you don't know who you loving
I am a shape-shifting person; you do not know what form I am in
Better light you a candle
You should light a candle for protection
I heard the nighttime was black
I heard that the darkness of the night is overwhelming
And if you don't watch your step the greatest bitch will be back
If you are not careful, the most powerful witch will return
I cast a circle in white and I can vanquish your spite
I cast a protective circle and I can eliminate your negative energy
And if you hex me with hate then I'ma conjure the light
If you try to harm me magically, I will use light magic to counteract it
Your evil ways put no fight
Your wickedness is no match for me
I ain't no queen of the night
I am not a ruler of the darkness
I'm a bruja, I'm a bruja, and I'ma dress in all white
I am a witch and I dress all in white
I'm the supreme
I am the most powerful witch
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Christian Vargas, Destiny Nicole Ortiz, Reynaldo Hernandez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PhoenixTaino
"I'm that Blackarican bruja straight up from the Yoruba
And my people come from Africa; diaspora Cuba
And you mix that Arawak, that original people;
I'm that Black Native American.
I vanquish all evil.
I'm that Blackarican bruja straight up from the Yoruba
And my ancestors Nigerian; my grandmas was brujas
And I come from an island
And it's called Puerto Rico
It's one of the smallest but it got the most people."
OMFG THIS SONG JUST GAVE ME LIFE!
@stephanyvargas9211
Favorite part!❤️
"I'm that Black a-Rican bruja straight out from the Yoruba
And my people come from Africa diaspora, Cuba
And you mix that Arawak, that original people
I'm that Black Native American, I vanquish all evil
I'm that Black a-Rican bruja straight out from the Yoruba
And my ancestors Nigerian, my grandmas was brujas
And I come from an island and it's called Puerto Rico
And it's one of the smallest but it got the most people"
@darkblooom
BRUJAS LYRICS
I'm your supreme [x2]
[Verse 1:]
We is them ghetto witches
Speaking in tongue bitches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door [x4]
Talk shit, we can cast spells
Long weaves, long nails
Corn rows, pig tails
Baby fathers still in jail
Good witches, I fuck with
Bad bitches, we run shit
4 bitches, 4 corners
North, East, West, South shit
Good witches, I fuck with
Hopped off of my broomstick
Witchcraft, bitch craft
Light magic, it's nothing
[Chorus:]
Orisha, my alter [x3]
Got coins on the counter
[Verse 2:]
I'm that Black a-Rican bruja straight out from the Yoruba
And my people come from Africa diaspora, Cuba
And you mix that Arawak, that original people
I'm that Black Native American, I vanquish all evil
I'm that Black a-Rican bruja straight out from the Yoruba
And my ancestors Nigerian, my grandmas was brujas
And I come from an island and it's called Puerto Rico
And it's one of the smallest but it got the most people
[Chorus:]
Orisha, my alter [x3]
Got coins on the counter
[x2]
Don't you fuck with my energy [x8]
[Verse 3:]
Casting spells with my cousins
I'm the head of this coven
I'm a shapeshifting bitch, you don't know who you loving
Better light you a candle
I heard the nighttime was black
And if you don't watch your step the greatest bitch will be back
I cast a circle in white and I can vanquish your spite
And if you hex me with hate then I'ma conjour the light
Your evil ways put no fight
I ain't no queen of the night
I'm a bruja, I'm a bruja, and I'ma dress in all white
I'm your supreme [x8]
@alingutierrezalvarez6462
I'm your supreme
I'm your supreme
We is them ghetto witches
Speaking in tongue bitches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door
We is them ghetto witches
Speaking in tongue bitches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door
We is them ghetto witches
Speaking in tongue bitches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door
We is them ghetto witches
Speaking in tongue bitches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door
Talk shit, we can cast spells
Long weaves, long nails
Corn rows, pig tails
Baby fathers still in jail
Good witches, I fuck with
Bad bitches, we run shit
4 bitches, 4 corners
North, East, West, South shit
Good witches, I fuck with
Hopped off of my broomstick
Witchcraft, bitch craft
Light magic, it's nothing
Orisha, my alter
Orisha, my alter
Orisha, my alter
Got coins on the counter
I'm that Black a-Rican bruja straight out from the Yoruba
And my people come from Africa diaspora, Cuba
And you mix that Arawak, that original people
I'm that Black Native American, I vanquish all evil
I'm that Black a-Rican bruja straight out from the Yoruba
And my ancestors Nigerian, my grandmas was brujas
And I come from an island and it's called Puerto Rico
And it's one of the smallest but it got the most people
We is them ghetto witches
Speaking in tongue bitches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door
We is them ghetto witches
Speaking in tongue bitches
Fall on the floor
Got sage on the door
Don't you fuck with my energy, don't you fuck with my energy
Don't you fuck with my energy, don't you fuck with my energy
Don't you fuck with my energy, don't you fuck with my energy
Don't you fuck with my energy, don't you fuck with my energy
Casting spells with my cousins
I'm the head of this coven
I'm a shapeshifting bitch, you don't know who you loving
Better light you a candle
I heard the nighttime was black
And if you don't watch your step the greatest bitch will be back
I cast a circle in white and I can vanquish your spite
And if you hex me with hate then I'ma conjour the light
Your evil ways put no fight
I ain't no queen of the night
I'm a bruja, I'm a bruja, and I'ma dress in all white
I'm your supreme, I'm your supreme
I'm your supreme, I'm your supreme
I'm your supreme, I'm your supreme
I'm your supreme, I'm your supreme
Tituba! Voodoo slave girl who graced us with her black magic
You made her a slave
Before that she came from a great tribe, the Arawak
She gave it to your girls of Salem
A gift repaid with betrayal
Maybe you ain't heard the news about civilization starting in Africa
We more than just pins in dolls and seeing the future in chicken parts
Been reading too many tourist guides, hm
Everything you got, you got from us
@theserpentcharmer1313
The intro in Yoruba:
"Kaikaikai yemaya olodo.
Kaikaikai assesu o lodo (x2)
La di oke, la di oke (x3)
Yemaya o lodo aua lodo mio" (x4)
Translation:
"Take a look at it Yemaya.
Take care of them.
Get up, get up.
Yemaya you are not far from me"
Edit: Yemaya or Yemaja one of the Orishas (Afrikan Powers/deities).
Yemaya is the Goddess of the Ocean and creation. There are many Yemaya chants, several other languages. There's another similar one and it basically means "Yemaya you are the gush of the ocean and the gush of spring", but that one specifically is not YORUBA. I wanted to pay homage to Princess Nokia's roots by translating from HER ancestral language.
@marcicada9836
Being Haitian and seeing this soft, light-filled, woman-centered version of voodoo means a lot to me and feels like home. This ain't no wicca, "magick" shit, this is a real interpretation of Yoruba spirituality. Love this, thank you Princess Nokia <3
@akosua8779
Mia Shabazz I'm Ghanaian and I wish I could know more about Akan traditional religion before Europeans came cause Christian Ghanaians just think it's all devil worship but that's false.
@Super23Victor
Mia Shabazz can u explain this yoruba spiritually ?
@andreathesexy1
@@akosua8779 That is how they did Haiti too...protestants got everyone thinking Vodoun/Loa is devil worship! smh...France had its strong hold on Ayiti and Ghana....look up Asantes!
@lucematt335
It's orisha, but there's definitely a lot of similarities in the religions, (mainly the whole unreachable main deity with near endless bounds of "lesser" entities to represent them) Haitian Vodou also has quite a few elements taken directly from orisha and yurubu
@MyshunoGuy
The diversity of the African diaspora never ceases to amaze me.
For those curious, the language at the beginning of the video is the Lucumí language, which developed primarily in Cuba and other parts of the Caribbean from the West African Yoruba language of Yoruba descendants taken there. It has other linguistic influences like Spanish, but also Bantu (Congo) remnants from Central African peoples the Yoruba people came into contact with.
Many of these tribes were enemies in Africa (and in Cuba these included the following peoples: Yoruba, Congo, Takua, Kissi, Calabari/Kalabari, Dahomey/Arará, and Mandinka) but in Cuba they had to unite to collectively survive slavery, so of course it was common for their influences to overlap. That is why the Lucumí language is not purely Yoruba (and it has since become primarily a liturgical language).
@jaceycool5985
Thank you for enlightening us!!! ♡
@Sawika56
That's actually super interesting, thank you for sharing!
@MyshunoGuy
Of course! :)
@maryanneolorunfunmi6030
I like that she used yoruba