Queen Naija has returned with a new EP, After the Butterflies, via Capitol Records. The set is intended to serve as a holdover release until the drop of her sophomore album.
The 10-track project includes previously released songs “Words of Affirmation” and “No Fake Love” featuring rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again. The former track was released in May and is the project’s official first offering.
After the Butterflies includes features from Monica, Eric Bellinger, and Ella Mai.
On the track “One of Them Days,” featuring Monica, the two singers prioritize self-care to overcome relationship issues. They realize selflessness in love can only go so far before reaching a breaking point.
The song’s title is similar to Monica’s No. 1 hit “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days),” featured on her debut album, Miss Thang, released in 1995.
Bellinger and Queen Naija often fantasize about their partners on “Taboo,” while she and Ella Mai grow tired of indecisive men on “All or Nothing.”
After the Butterflies does not include “Let’s Talk About It,” Queen Naija’s first offering of the year. It is still available on streaming platforms.
After the Butterflies is Queen Naija’s first set of new music since the spring 2021 arrival of Missunderstood…Still, the deluxe edition of her 2020 debut album. The album recently advanced to gold status for pushing over 500,000 equivalent units in the U.S.
Missunderstood…Still includes all the original songs from Missunderstood as well as seven additional tracks, including “Butterflies, Pt. 2” featuring Wale and “Set Him Up” with Ari Lennox.
The edit of “Butterflies, Pt. 2” without Wale marked Queen Naija’s third No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. It is also certified gold.
Queen Naija teamed up with Big Sean for “Hate Our Love,” her first release of 2022. It went to No. 1 on the R&B charts and earned the R&B singer-songwriter another gold song certification.
Surprisingly, the Mike Woods-produced cut does not appear on After the Butterflies.
The title and release date of Queen Naija’s second album remain unannounced. In the meantime, she has joined forces with Ivory Scott on “My Mind,” co-produced by OG Parker and Romano.
Listen to Queen Naija’s new project, After the Butterflies, below.
