Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monae x BET’s Rip The Runway

March 16th, 2010

Last night Janelle performed her new smash single “Tightrope” at BET’s Rip The Runway! Check it out below now!

Janelle Monae Talks Diddy and Big Boi Impact on Career

March 16th, 2010

Janelle Monae dished about the new approach to music and the men who co-signed her musical movement early on.

Janelle Monae Featured in April Issue Of Vogue!

March 15th, 2010

Read the article now! – Part 1 | Part 2

Janelle Monae Shoots Videos for ‘Tightrope’ and ‘Cold War’

March 15th, 2010

“I shot them in two days,” Monáe tells Rap-Up.com. “I did ‘Tightrope’ first and ‘Cold War’ the next day.

Both videos were shot by director Wendy Morgan. While she won’t reveal if the images will showcase a kaleidoscope of colors, she does admit the visuals are a bit on the wild side. “‘Cold War’ reveals what the ArchAndroid looks like,” she states. “[The video] deals with a psychosis—you’re in my mind and you get a chance to understand Metropolis, where it all stemmed [from] and my thoughts. It’s very psychedelic and trippy.”

Hit up Rap-Up.com for the full story now!

Janelle Monae to Perform at Rip The Runway Tonight!

March 15th, 2010

Make sure to catch Janelle’s performance TONIGHT at 10/9c on BET’s Rip The Runway! Find more info at BET.com now.

Janelle Monae x Artist Direct Interview

March 12th, 2010

In a recent sit down with ArtistDirect.com, Janelle talks about her upcoming album “The ArchAndroid”, and compares it to a movie. She also talks about creating her own sound, reading while she writes, the meaning behind “Tightrope” and MUCH more! Read the full interview now!

Janelle Featured in March Edition of People!

March 12th, 2010

Janelle Monae Featured on Vibe.com!

March 12th, 2010

Looks like Janelle’s hard work is finally paying off! Check out what Vibe.com’s Keith Murphy had to say about her upcoming album “The ArchAndroid” below.

“Janelle Monáe makes Lady Gaga sound like an Idaho high school talent show contestant. After hearing Monáe’s upcoming big label debut The ArchAndroid last week, I can say without hyperbole that it’s an early contender for album of the decade. Yeah, I said it. Let’s see if a public weaned on a predictable, bland steady diet of Alicia Keys will find a place for a risk-takingartist who possesses some of the most versatile (and pitch perfect) vocal chops around and pens songs that sound like Fela Kuti leading a space age tribal funk band on Mars (“Dance or Die”); Michael Jackson if he were produced by Giorgio Moroder (“Locked Inside”); James Brown going new wave (“Tightrope”); and a Broadway musical on acid (“Sir Greendown”). Wow.”

Janelle Monae Unveils Music From Upcoming “The ArchAndroid”

March 12th, 2010

This past Thursday, Janelle Monae invited industry insiders to NYC’s Rubin Museum of Art to take in her debut album, “The ArchAndroid”, which is due out May 18th. RapUp was there taking notes on what they heard. Check out what they had to say about Janelle’s new tracks below!

1. “Cold War”

It’s easy to detect OutKast’s influence on Monáe’s composition on this up-tempo track. The snare-induced beat sets a solid background for her strong vocals, which she actually allows to upstage everything else. The lyrics run with the intensity of the beat as she sings, “This is a cold war/ You better know what you’re fighting for,” guitar solos playing into her warning.

2. “Tightrope” featuring Big Boi

“I’ll take your pain away,” Monáe promises as she opens the Big Boi-assisted first single. And she does. The crowd lost it during this one, fresh yet familiar, and boasting a retro beat that brings back all the pleasurable convulsing from OutKast’s “Hey Ya!” music video. Big Boi’s verse complements her delightfully scattered disposition as well.

3. “Locked Inside”

Soulful and somewhat revealing, this song slows it down a little bit in the name of love. “Oh how I need you love, you are so crazy/ I need you baby,” she croons to the beat of a laid-back summer jam. With somewhat of a throwback feel, Monáe seems to be channeling Michael Jackson’s versatility and Estelle’s sensual vocals.

4. “Mushrooms & Roses”

This hippie-fied, jazz guitar-ridden track excavates Monáe’s electro-sensibility; the snare-heavy number pushes the blurred vocals to the back burner. It’s reflective, swaying music, a little psychedelic but not enough to drive it away from the soul of the rest of the album. Monáe shies away from flaunting her vocal chops on this one, letting herself echo in the background.

There will be 18 tracks on The ArchAndroid. The tracklisting below is not final and is in no particular order.

“Suite II Overture”
“Dance or Die”
“Faster”
“Locked Inside”
“Sir Greendown”
“Cold War”
“Tightrope”
“Mushrooms & Roses”
“Suite III Overture”
“Neon Valley Street”
“Wondaland”
“57821”

Janelle Monae Premieres New Music

February 11th, 2010

Janelle Monáe has announced the release of her eagerly awaited debut album. “The ArchAndroid” will arrive in stores and at all DSPs on May 18th.

The album will be heralded by the first single, “Tightrope (Feat. Big Boi).” The track will premiered today on Pitchfork.com, with a companion song from “The ArchAndroid,” entitled “Cold War,” debuting the following day right here on janellemonae.com. Both songs will be available for purchase exclusively at the site beginning February 12th, and then at all DSPs on February 23rd. In addition, a music video for “Tightrope” is currently in pre-production.

“The ArchAndroid” is an “EMOTION PICTURE” brought to you by Janelle Monáe and the Mad Minds of the Wondaland Arts Society. The star-studded featured cast includes the legendary Big Boi of OutKast, renowned poet Saul Williams, psychedelic dance-punk troupe Of Montreal, punk prophets Deep Cotton, and the Wondaland Arch Orchestra.

The album was recorded at Wondaland Studios in Atlanta, but written all over the world, including but not limited to Moscow, Prague, Istanbul, Berlin, Amsterdam, New York, and the Palace of the Dogs. “The ArchAndroid” was inspired not only by the energy of these places, but by such revolutionary musicians and artistic visionaries as Salvador Dalí, Walt Disney, OutKast, Stevie Wonder, Octavia Butler, David Bowie, Andy Warhol, and John Williams. The album was Executive Produced by Nate Wonder, Chuck Lightning, Janelle Monáe, and Sean “Diddy” Combs, with Co-Executive Production from Big Boi of OutKast.

Monáe is slated for a variety of live dates and TV appearances surrounding the release of “The ArchAndroid.” A charismatic and unique live performer who has previously toured with No Doubt, Paramore, Erykah Badu, and Raphael Saadiq, she will also be doing a series of exclusive residencies in a number of cities across North America (see attached itinerary below) – full details will be announced shortly.

What’s more, Monáe is set to join this summer’s much anticipated 2010 Lilith Tour, joining a star-studded array of female artists including Sarah MacLachlan, Norah Jones, Mary J. Blige, Loretta Lynn, Tegan & Sara, Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, and many others. Full tour details will be unveiled shortly.

Janelle Monáe On Tour 2010

MARCH

15 Washington, DC Black Cat

17 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s

18 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s

21 San Francisco, CA Café Du Nord

22 San Francisco, CA Café Du Nord

23 Los Angeles, CA The Viper Room

24 Los Angeles, CA The Viper Room

29 Schubas Tavern Chicago, IL

30 Schubas Tavern Chicago, IL

31 Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN

APRIL

2 St. Andrews Detroit, MI

5 Smith’s Olde Bar Atlanta, GA

6 Smith’s Olde Bar Atlanta, GA

9 Joe’s Pub New York, NY

10 Joe’s Pub New York, NY