| "Diamond Crowned Queen" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single byRaja | ||||
| Released | May 3, 2011 | |||
| Genre | Neo-pop | |||
| Length | 3:51 | |||
| Label | Citrusonic Flavor Recordings | |||
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| Producers |
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| Raja singles chronology | ||||
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"Diamond Crowned Queen" is a song recorded by American drag queenRaja, which was released on May 3, 2011, through the record label Citrusonic Flavor Recordings. This was shortly after they were crowned winner ofthe third season of the reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race. Raja and Anthony Garza wrote the single in collaboration with its producersEddie Amador and Josh Peace. Raja said that they recorded the song due to the close connection betweendrag and music and their desire to experiment in the medium. Backed by anelectronic beat, it is aneo-pop track with lyrics revolving around sexuality. The song was noted bymusic critics for its combination ofpop music,techno, andelectro music.
Critical response to "Diamond Crowned Queen" was mixed. Although its composition dividedmusic critics, these commentators generally agreed that the song is one of the better tracks released by a RuPaul's Drag Race alumni. The single peaked at number 35 on theBillboardHot Dance Club Songs chart, making Raja the onlyRuPaul's Drag Race season three contestant to appear on aBillboard chart.Austin Young directed the song's music video, which featured Raja in various outfits both in and out of drag. American drag queenRaven makes a cameo appearance in the video. It received positive attention from media commentators for its style and Raven's inclusion. To further promote the single, tworemixextended plays (EPs) were released and Raja performed it on theRuPaul's Drag Race tour.
After winningthe third season ofRuPaul's Drag Race,[3]Raja released his debut single "Diamond Crowned Queen" on May 3, 2011, through the record label Citrusonic Flavor Recordings.[4][5] It was the first single from the record company.[5]Disc jockeysEddie Amador and Josh Peace produced the three-minute, 51-second track,[4][5] which features Raja singing a "a series of boasts" over anelectronic beat.[6] It was written by Raja and Anthony Garza in collaboration with its producers Amador and Peace.[5]
Raja said that he recorded a single as he felt that music was closely connected todrag, explaining: "[I]n this day and age, it’s like everybody has to put out a song. It’s kind of the next step: You were on a reality show, now you have to put out a song." He said that he felt a personal connection with the recording process as he had "[his] own soundtrack to [his] life that [he] play[s] everyday".[7] During an interview, he also described the single as a part of his experimentation with music.[8]
Adem Ali of Forté Magazine identified the song, along with Raja's subsequent releases, as exemplifying the singer's "blend ofclub-kidneo-pop" combining elements ofpop,techno, andelectro music.[9] Raja said that his music was inspired byelectro house anddisco.[5] "Diamond Crowned Queen" was called a "grungy dance mix" by WEHOVille's Whitney Friedlander.[7] The instrumental is provided by "deep, throbbing beats" andelectronics.[10]Rolling Stone'sLyndsey Parker described Raja's vocal performance as a "whole lot of groaning",[1] andBustle's Anneliese Cooper classified it as an example of "crazy shit shouted to a beat".[2] In thechorus, Raja sings "Follow me, follow me, I’m a diamond crowned queen. Come with me, to my pretty, pretty palace, Gonna lick on your trigger, every inch will make you quiver."[11] Other lyrics include other sexual references, such as: "S-E-X, sex for dinner / I'm a thunder-breathing dragon cat."[2]
"Diamond Crowned Queen" received mixed reviews frommusic critics on its release. Lyndsey Parker listed it as one of the eight listenable singles by aRuPaul's Drag Race contestant, describing it as "a deliciously trashy track". Comparing the song toThe Normal's "Warm Leatherette" (1978), Parker wrote that "Diamond Crowned Queen" contained elements of "'70s sleazefeasts [...] '80sindustrial, and mid-'90shouse music".[1] It was also positively received by Anneliese Cooper, who said it left her "gagging" noting its lyrics "will win my heart, every time".[2][12] Patrick of Homorazzi.com described the song's chorus as "[d]irty and hot".[11] While writing forYahoo! Music, Parker included the single on her list of the seven "actually great singles" byRuPaul's Drag Race contestants.[13] She described it as one of eight "listenable" singles released by the show's participants.[1] FemaleFirst's Daniel Falconer agreed with Parker, placing the song on his list of the best music to come out of the reality television show.[14]
Several media commentators were divided on the single's composition. In his review of Raja's entire music catalog, Adem Ali observed that his sound was "an acquired taste".[9] Bradley Stern ofMuuMuse wrote that the song was too "erratic for [his] taste", but was more positive to the remix done byPrince Vince. Stern described the remix as "nothing but pure sweat and sex (for dinner!)".[10] TheDallas Voice's Rich Lopez wrote that the song lacked a strong or memorablehook, but appreciated Raja's decision to experiment with music. He compared it to the early work ofNine Inch Nails andJeffree Star.[15] Stacy Lambe ofBuzzFeed described the single as "unexpectedly more gothic" than fellow drag queenSharon Needles' music and "club-friendly", but criticized the lyrics as a "hodgepodge of boasts".[16] The single was poorly received by Mark Blankenship ofNewNowNext.com, who felt it suffered from a "sludgy club beat".[6]
"Diamond Crowned Queen" debuted at number fifty on theBillboardHot Dance Club Songs chart on the week of July 2, 2011.[17] The single peaked at number 35, remaining on the chart for six weeks.[18] It was the only song released by aRuPaul's Drag Race season three contestant to appear on aBillboard chart.[19]
During a press release after the single's debut, Raja said that he planned to perform it while serving as a headliner on theRuPaul's Drag Race tour.[5] Tworemixextended plays (EPs) were released on June 28, 2011, and July 12, 2011.[20][21] Raja positively responded to Peace's remix, saying that "[he] wish [he]’d made it [his] original" and he regularly lip-syncs it on tour.[22]
A music video, directed byAustin Young, for the original version of the song premiered on June 17, 2011.[11][15] Raja is shown performing the single in various risqué outfits,[15] such as a pair of white sunglasses and a leopard print body suit.[23] He also appears outside his drag persona.[15] He is seen wearing clown masks and wigs made from plastic and later kissing drag queenRaven.[6]
The music video received mostly positive feedback from media commentators. Patrick of Homorazzi.com described the video as a mixture ofLady Gaga,Marilyn Manson, and singer Peter Breeze.[11] It was praised by Mark Blankenship as one of the three fiercest releases by aRuPaul's Drag Race contestant, describing Raja's fashion as "slutty-fabulous". He commended Raja for "challenging us to look, to lust, and then deal with it when shit gets crazy".[6] Stacy Lambe positively responded to the video, calling it "a mix of amazing visuals with a fun, hardcore dance beat".[16] Rich Lopez criticized Raja's decision to appear without drag as breaking the illusion, but he also wrote that "Raja creates striking looks that are easy to stare at."[15]
Raven's cameo appearance was identified as one of the music video's highlights by Jjannise ofOut and a writer from Queer Me Up.[23][24] Jjannise ofOut felt both repulsed and attracted by the image of Raven "[p]ainted like Raja's Leather DragBarbie twin and gazing blankly at the camera".[23] A writer for Queer Me Up wrote that Raven's inclusion turned the video into "[t]he ultimate Drag Queen Extrvaganza!", referencing him as "the magnificent Raven".[24]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (DJ Irene Sex Express Remix) | 8:19 |
| 2. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Ian Nieman Club) | 6:07 |
| 3. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Prince Vince Remix) | 5:46 |
| 4. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Timmy Loop's Night Disco Remix) | 5:04 |
| 5. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Automatic Panic Crowned King Remix) | 6:22 |
| 6. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Tom Napack Club) | 6:59 |
| 7. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (IGomi Remix) | 4:46 |
| 8. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Prince Vince Edit) | 4:32 |
| 9. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Tom Napack Radio) | 3:39 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Josh Peace Remix) | 5:52 |
| 2. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Eddie Amador's QueenWurk Dub) | 8:05 |
| 3. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Casey Alva Vox Dub) | 7:08 |
| 4. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Automatic Panic Crowned King Dub) | 6:30 |
| 5. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (DJ Irene Long Live The Queen Dub) | 6:51 |
| 6. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Gomi Dub) | 4:46 |
| 7. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Ian Nieman Dub) | 6:13 |
| 8. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Prince Vince Dub Mix) | 6:25 |
| 9. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Tom Napack Dub) | 7:02 |
| 10. | "Diamond Crowned Queen" (Tommy Loop's Prime Rib Dub) | 5:18 |
Credits adapted from aPR Newswire article on "Diamond Crown Queen".[5]
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USHot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[18] | 35 |