Kia Rap Princess

" It's rare that a local artist gets to play Summerfest's biggest stage, but I've never seen a Milwaukee artist devote as much to that opportunity as rapper Kia Rap Princess, who opened for co-headliners City Girls, Trippie Redd and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie in the amphitheater. She had dancers, slick big screen videos, guest local rappers in Protege and Kaylee Crossfire, a hell of a DJ in Milwaukee turntable master Moses, and undeniable stage presence. It's been so frustrating watching so many popular Milwaukee rappers not get the prime big-stage bookings at their hometown festival. In this case at least, Summerfest got it right." 

Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

On July 1, Milwaukee hip-hop veteran Kia Rap Princess (Nekia Fisher) gave her the biggest show of her career opening for City Girls, Trippie Redd and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater at Summerfest. Nine days before that night, she released this summer-ready four-track EP. The EP reinforces how Kia got that big gig at the Big Gig — not through flashy vocal delivery, but through cool, casual confidence.

"Must-Hear Milwaukee Music" runs on or around the first of every month in the Journal Sentinel and at jsonline.com. If you have a new album, EP or song coming out, contact Piet Levy at plevy@journalsentinel.com for review consideration. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.

Photo Credit:Josh Meitz for Billboard

" But for me, the absolute best part of the show was at the very start, with hardworking and talented local rap veteran Kia Rap Princess kicking things off. And she went all out for the biggest show of her career, with dancers; a live guitarist; fog machines; big screen animations and Milwaukee drone footage; a great guest appearance by fellow Milwaukee rapper Protege; and some tremendous turntable work from one of the city’s most skilled DJs, Moses.

But it was Princess who shined brightest with her magnetic flow and stage presence, expressing touching gratitude that thousands showed up early and saw her set, and getting close to the crowd for her dancehall banger finale “Issa Vibe,” jumping down into the pit.

Watching her crush it on Summerfest’s biggest stage was a special experience, and further validation that the Summerfest booking team needs to make a greater effort to give more incredible Milwaukee rappers — and there are so, so many of them — a similar chance to shine." - (end of quote)

Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.