Since releasing the hit single “Medicine” in 2018, along with her self titled EP, music lovers have wondered when this woman of high class R&B would be providing more music. This past Friday, Queen Naija finally brought fans what they have been waiting for. 

The artist’s debut studio album titled “missunderstood,” is 18 tracks full of beauty and true raw emotion, displaying great talent and even more potential for the continuously rising star. 

“What happened to Queen Naija? She was picking up momentum and then she just fell off the face of the Earth,” a voice stated on the album’s “Intro.” Among other lines discussing her average voice, one-hit stardom, and overall irrelevance, this sound bite demonstrated how many people have talked about the musician in the past couple years. Seemingly words that have turned into motivation for Naija to prove them wrong. 

Not only are the songs a great story alone, but Naija even created 18 thirty-second YouTube “episodes,“ speaking in a “Dear diary,“ format, that correlate with each track on the album, creating a “Season 1."

Naija starts her soothing singing on “Too Much To Say,” a heartfelt and saddening story song. “I got two kids to feed, I can’t sit no more / I foot the bill for everything, world on my shoulders / Wanna break down but I can’t, I gotta hold up / Wanna free my mind, but I’m tryna stay sober. ”Beginning the LP with such honesty and transparency will lead any listener to be intrigued and want to hear the rest of this strong woman’s stories. 

While Naija is still pretty new to the music game, she's been in the spotlight long enough to bring eight famous features onto this project including: Kiana Ledé, Lil Durk, Lucky Daye, Russ, Pretty Vee, Mulatto, Toosii, and Jacquees. 

The array of skill from both herself and her mix with other rap and soul musicians relays a range of talent and authenticity making this album enjoyable for almost anyone.

“Lie To Me,” ft. Lil Durk, “Love Language,” “Butterflies Pt. 2,” and “Pack Lite,” were all previously released singles, but the LP still leaves fans with 14 new tracks nonetheless. 

“See I don’t got the time or the patience to deal with your shit today,” she spits on “Pack Lite.” Many songs are suspected to be speaking about her ex-husband and son’s father Chris Sails, a man who has caused a lot of commotion for the singer in recent weeks. The two were first mildly internet famous together when they started a YouTube channel named “Chris and Queen.” But, now the past lovers seem far from friendly.

Other tracks such as ‘Butterflies Pt. 2,” Naija has said are about her now boyfriend Clarence White, and the refreshing feeling of straying from a toxic partner to a much better one. 

Naija is able to not only talk about different themes and succeed lyrically, but does well at switching her pace and sound up as well. The arrangement of tracks on this album make for a great first impression for many listeners and display Naija’s talents greatly.

While there’s definitely room for more growth and greater versatility in the future, this singer/songwriter shows great potential.

I give this album 4 out of 5 Swoops. 

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