Diamond Crowned Queen

{{Listen

|filename=DiamondCrownedQueenSampleofSong.ogg

|title="Diamond Crowned Queen"

|description="Diamond Crowned Queen" is a neo-pop song with influences from pop, techno, and electro music. Critics have described Raja's vocals as a "whole lot of groaning" and "crazy shit shouted to a beat".

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After winning the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race,{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/article/2011/04/26/rupauls-drag-race-season-3-winner-raja/|title='RuPaul's Drag Race': A chat with America's Next Drag Superstar Raja|last=Stransky|first=Tanner|date=April 26, 2011|url-status=dead|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170317000634/http://ew.com/article/2011/04/26/rupauls-drag-race-season-3-winner-raja/|archive-date=March 17, 2017}} Raja released his debut single "Diamond Crowned Queen" on May 3, 2011, through the record label Citrusonic Flavor Recordings.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/diamond-crowned-queen-single/435497762|title=Diamond Crowned Queen - Single|date=May 3, 2011|publisher=iTunes (US)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170317000015/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/diamond-crowned-queen-single/id435497762|archive-date=March 17, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rupauls-drag-race-winner-raja-releases-edgy-single-diamond-crowned-queen-121163054.html|title="RuPaul's Drag Race" Winner Raja Releases Edgy Single "Diamond Crowned Queen"|date=May 3, 2011|publisher=PR Newswire|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316234057/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rupauls-drag-race-winner-raja-releases-edgy-single-diamond-crowned-queen-121163054.html|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} It was the first single from the record company. Disc jockeys Eddie Amador and Josh Peace produced the three-minute, 51-second track, which features Raja singing a "a series of boasts" over an electronic beat.{{cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/3-fiercest-music-videos-by-drag-race-queens/08/2012/|title=3 Fiercest Music Videos By 'Drag Race' Queens|last=Blankenship|first=Mark|date=August 15, 2012|publisher=NewNowNext.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316232325/http://www.newnownext.com/3-fiercest-music-videos-by-drag-race-queens/08/2012/|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} It was written by Raja and Anthony Garza in collaboration with its producers Amador and Peace.

Raja said that he recorded a single as he felt that music was closely connected to drag, 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".{{cite web|url=http://www.wehoville.com/2012/11/25/inside-wehos-world-of-rupauls-drag-race-queens-with-superstar-raja/|title=Inside WeHo's World of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens With 'Superstar' Raja|last=Friedlander|first=Whitney|date=November 25, 2012|publisher=WEHOVille|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316232945/http://www.wehoville.com/2012/11/25/inside-wehos-world-of-rupauls-drag-race-queens-with-superstar-raja/|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} During an interview, he also described the single as a part of his experimentation with music.{{cite web|url=http://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2011/05/raja-rules/|title=Raja Rules|last=Goldberg|first=David|date=May 13, 2011|work=OutSmart|publisher=OutSmart Media Company|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607194029/http://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2011/05/raja-rules/|archive-date=June 7, 2017}}

Adem Ali of Forté Magazine identified the song, along with Raja's subsequent releases, as exemplifying the singer's "blend of club-kid neo-pop" combining elements of pop, techno, and electro music.{{cite web|url=http://fortemag.com.au/?p=2601|title=The top 5 drag musical acts of the last 10 years (that aren't RuPaul)|last=Ali|first=Adem|date=July 1, 2014|publisher=Forté Magazine|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316235032/http://fortemag.com.au/?p=2601|archive-date=March 16, 2017}} Raja said that his music was inspired by electro house and disco. "Diamond Crowned Queen" was called a "grungy dance mix" by WEHOVille's Whitney Friedlander. The instrumental is provided by "deep, throbbing beats" and electronics. Rolling Stone's Lyndsey Parker described Raja's vocal performance as a "whole lot of groaning",{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/8-listenable-singles-by-rupauls-drag-race-contestants-20140604|title=8 Listenable Singles By 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestants|last=Parker|first=Lyndsey|date=June 4, 2014|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140606171021/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/8-listenable-singles-by-rupauls-drag-race-contestants-20140604|archive-date=June 6, 2014|url-status=dead}} and Bustle's Anneliese Cooper classified it as an example of "crazy shit shouted to a beat".{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/26906-rupauls-drag-race-star-adore-delano-delivers-a-catchy-pop-ballad-with-i-adore-u|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Adore Delano Delivers a Catchy Pop Ballad With "I Adore U"|last=Cooper|first=Anneliese|date=June 4, 2014|publisher=Bryan Goldberg|work=Bustle|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316233520/https://www.bustle.com/articles/26906-rupauls-drag-race-star-adore-delano-delivers-a-catchy-pop-ballad-with-i-adore-u|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} In the chorus, 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.homorazzi.com/article/raja-diamond-crowned-princess-music-video-rupauls-drag-race-season-3-vancouver-pride-2011/|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3 Winner Raja Premiere's Debut Music Video|last=Patrick|date=June 20, 2011|publisher=Homorazzi.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316234727/http://www.homorazzi.com/article/raja-diamond-crowned-princess-music-video-rupauls-drag-race-season-3-vancouver-pride-2011/|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} Other lyrics include other sexual references, such as: "S-E-X, sex for dinner / I'm a thunder-breathing dragon cat."

"Diamond Crowned Queen" received mixed reviews from music critics on its release. Lyndsey Parker listed it as one of the eight listenable singles by a RuPaul's Drag Race contestant, describing it as "a deliciously trashy track". Comparing the song to The Normal's "Warm Leatherette" (1978), Parker wrote that "Diamond Crowned Queen" contained elements of "'70s sleazefeasts [...] '80s industrial, and mid-'90s house music". It was also positively received by Anneliese Cooper, who said it left her "gagging" noting its lyrics "will win my heart, every time".{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/15553-sharon-needless-dressed-to-kill-video-shows-off-glamorous-nyfw-line|title=Sharon Needles's 'Dressed to Kill' Video Shows Off Glamorous NYFW Line|last=Cooper|first=Anneliese|date=February 13, 2014|publisher=Bryan Goldberg|work=Bustle|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316233345/https://www.bustle.com/articles/15553-sharon-needless-dressed-to-kill-video-shows-off-glamorous-nyfw-line|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} Patrick of Homorazzi.com described the song's chorus as "[d]irty and hot". While writing for Yahoo! Music, Parker included the single on her list of the seven "actually great singles" by RuPaul's Drag Race contestants.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/blogs/live-nation/8-actually-listenable-singles-by--rupaul-s-drag-race--contestants-231034373.html|title=7 Actually Great Singles By 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestants|last=Parker|first=Lyndsey|date=February 17, 2015|publisher=Yahoo! Music|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316233713/https://www.yahoo.com/music/blogs/live-nation/8-actually-listenable-singles-by--rupaul-s-drag-race--contestants-231034373.html|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} She described it as one of eight "listenable" singles released by the show's participants. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/music/features/five-top-rupauls-drag-race-queens-songs-960415.html|title=5 of the best songs to come from RuPaul's Drag Race's queens|last=Falconer|first=Daniel|date=June 30, 2016|publisher=FemaleFirst|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316234938/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/music/features/five-top-rupauls-drag-race-queens-songs-960415.html|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}}

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". Bradley Stern of MuuMuse wrote that the song was too "erratic for [his] taste", but was more positive to the remix done by Prince Vince. Stern described the remix as "nothing but pure sweat and sex (for dinner!)".{{cite web|url=https://www.muumuse.com/2011/06/dont-be-a-drag-listen-to-the-prince-vince-remix-of-rupauls-drag-race-winner-rajas-debut-single-diamond-crowned-queen.html/|title=Don't Be A Drag: Listen to the Prince Vince Remix of RuPaul's Drag Race Winner Raja's Debut Single, "Diamond Crowned Queen"|last=Stern|first=Bradley|date=June 29, 2011|work=MuuMuse|publisher=Brad Stern|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526223530/https://www.muumuse.com/2011/06/dont-be-a-drag-listen-to-the-prince-vince-remix-of-rupauls-drag-race-winner-rajas-debut-single-diamond-crowned-queen.html/|archive-date=May 26, 2016}} The Dallas Voice's Rich Lopez wrote that the song lacked a strong or memorable hook, but appreciated Raja's decision to experiment with music. He compared it to the early work of Nine Inch Nails and Jeffree Star.{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasvoice.com/watch-drag-race-winner-raja-debuts-diamond-crowned-queen-vid-1080665.html|title='Drag Race' winner Raja premieres her 1st video, 'Diamond Crowned Queen'|last=Lopez|first=Rich|date=June 20, 2011|publisher=Voice Publishing Company|work=Dallas Voice|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316233141/http://www.dallasvoice.com/watch-drag-race-winner-raja-debuts-diamond-crowned-queen-vid-1080665.html|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} Stacy Lambe of BuzzFeed described the single as "unexpectedly more gothic" than fellow drag queen Sharon Needles' music and "club-friendly", but criticized the lyrics as a "hodgepodge of boasts".{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/stacylambe/6-drag-queens-moonlighting-the-best-as-singers|title=6 Drag Queens Moonlighting As Singers|last=Lambe|first=Stacy|date=December 4, 2012|publisher=BuzzFeed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703022323/https://www.buzzfeed.com/stacylambe/6-drag-queens-moonlighting-the-best-as-singers?utm_term=.brxXo7EE8Z|archive-date=July 3, 2017}} The single was poorly received by Mark Blankenship of NewNowNext.com, who felt it suffered from a "sludgy club beat".

"Diamond Crowned Queen" debuted at number fifty on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart on the week of July 2, 2011.{{cite magazine|url=http://queermeup.com/music-videos/rupauls-drag-race-winner-raja-premieres-dimond-crowned-queen-video/|title=The Week of July 2, 2011|date=July 2, 2011|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316235536/http://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/2011-07-02?order=gainer|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=usurped}} The single peaked at number 35, remaining on the chart for six weeks.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3ARaja&f[1]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Raja|title=Chart Search|date=July 2, 2011|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316235649/http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5B0%5D=ts_chart_artistname:Raja&f%5B1%5D=ss_bb_type:chart_item&type=2&artist=Raja|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} It was the only song released by a RuPaul's Drag Race season three contestant to appear on a Billboard chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6121126/adore-delano-rupauls-drag-race-chart-record|title=Adore Delano Sets 'Drag Race' Record|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=May 12, 2014|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316232800/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6121126/adore-delano-rupauls-drag-race-chart-record|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}}

File:DiamondCrownedQueenRavenScreenshot.png

During a press release after the single's debut, Raja said that he planned to perform it while serving as a headliner on the RuPaul's Drag Race tour. Two remix extended plays (EPs) were released on June 28, 2011, and July 12, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/diamond-crowned-queen-remixes-pt-1/448606878|title=Diamond Crowned Queen Remixes, Pt. 1|publisher=iTunes (US)|date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170317000133/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/diamond-crowned-queen-remixes-pt-1/id448606878|archive-date=March 17, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/diamond-crowned-queen-remixes-pt-2/450130024|title=Diamond Crowned Queen Remixes, Pt. 2|publisher=iTunes (US)|date=July 12, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170317015529/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/diamond-crowned-queen-remixes-part-2/id450130024|archive-date=March 17, 2017|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.audioout.com.au/shock-awe-an-intimate-chat-with-raja-gemini-purple-crush-josh-peace/|title=Shock & Awe: An intimate chat with Raja Gemini, Purple Crush & Josh Peace|last=Ali|first=Adem|publisher=Audioout.com.au|date=November 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703004820/http://www.audioout.com.au/shock-awe-an-intimate-chat-with-raja-gemini-purple-crush-josh-peace/|archive-date=July 3, 2017}}

A music video, directed by Austin Young, for the original version of the song premiered on June 17, 2011. Raja is shown performing the single in various risqué outfits, such as a pair of white sunglasses and a leopard print body suit.{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2011/06/top-five-reasons-why-we-love-rajas-diamond-crowned-queen-video.html|title=Top Five Reasons Why We Love Raja's "Diamond Crowned Queen" Video|last=Jjannise|date=June 20, 2011|publisher=Here Media|work=Out|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316234226/http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2011/06/top-five-reasons-why-we-love-rajas-diamond-crowned-queen-video.html|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} He also appears outside his drag persona. He is seen wearing clown masks and wigs made from plastic and later kissing drag queen Raven.

The music video received mostly positive feedback from media commentators. Patrick of Homorazzi.com described the video as a mixture of Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson, and singer Peter Breeze. It was praised by Mark Blankenship as one of the three fiercest releases by a RuPaul'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". Stacy Lambe positively responded to the video, calling it "a mix of amazing visuals with a fun, hardcore dance beat". 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."

Raven's cameo appearance was identified as one of the music video's highlights by Jjannise of Out and a writer from Queer Me Up.{{cite web|url=http://queermeup.com/music-videos/rupauls-drag-race-winner-raja-premieres-dimond-crowned-queen-video/|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Winner Raja Premieres "Dimond Crowned Queen" Video|publisher=Queer Me Up|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170316235352/http://queermeup.com/music-videos/rupauls-drag-race-winner-raja-premieres-dimond-crowned-queen-video/|archive-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=usurped}} Jjannise of Out felt both repulsed and attracted by the image of Raven "[p]ainted like Raja's Leather Drag Barbie twin and gazing blankly at the camera". 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".

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download

| title1 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note1 = Original

| length1 = 3:51

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Remixes, Pt. 1

| title1 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note1 = DJ Irene Sex Express Remix

| length1 = 8:19

| title2 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note2 = Ian Nieman Club

| length2 = 6:07

| title3 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note3 = Prince Vince Remix

| length3 = 5:46

| title4 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note4 = Timmy Loop's Night Disco Remix

| length4 = 5:04

| title5 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note5 = Automatic Panic Crowned King Remix

| length5 =6:22

| title6 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note6 = Tom Napack Club

| length6 = 6:59

| title7 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note7 = IGomi Remix

| length7 = 4:46

| title8 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note8 = Prince Vince Edit

| length8 = 4:32

| title9 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note9 = Tom Napack Radio

| length9 = 3:39

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Remixes, Pt. 2

| title1 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note1 = Josh Peace Remix

| length1 = 5:52

| title2 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note2 = Eddie Amador's QueenWurk Dub

| length2 = 8:05

| title3 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note3 = Casey Alva Vox Dub

| length3 = 7:08

| title4 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note4 = Automatic Panic Crowned King Dub

| length4 = 6:30

| title5 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note5 = DJ Irene Long Live The Queen Dub

| length5 =6:51

| title6 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note6 = Gomi Dub

| length6 = 4:46

| title7 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note7 = Ian Nieman Dub

| length7 = 6:13

| title8 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note8 = Prince Vince Dub Mix

| length8 = 6:25

| title9 = Diamond Crowned Queen

| note9 = Tom Napack Dub

| length9 = 7:02

| title10=Diamond Crowned Queen

| note10 = Tommy Loop's Prime Rib Dub

| length10=5:18

}}

Credits adapted from a PR Newswire article on "Diamond Crown Queen".

;Management

• Citrusonic Flavor Recordings

;Personnel

• Lyrics By – Raja, Anthony Garza, Eddie Amador, Josh Peace
• Produced By – Eddie Amador, Josh Peace

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{YouTube|TQFwSMOJMmc|Raja – "Diamond Crowned Queen" music video}}

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Category:2011 songs

Category:2011 singles

Category:American pop songs