I was going to hold off on posting this video until the full edit hit the net, but since everyone else is putting up this version that cuts off, I figured I might as well. The ending of this song is insanely dope, so I hope we see a legit version soon. In the meantime, enjoy the dopeness that is Janelle Monae and if you missed her appearance on Sound Session, peep it here. It’ll help you understand the story behind these visuals…
Seattle people: remember, Janelle will be here opening for Jamie Lidell at the Showbox (Market) on Oct. 3rd. You should be there.
3RD UPDATE: The interview Vimeo clip appears to be working at the moment. If it stops, please use the YouTube link right underneath the video. The live footage has been removed at the request of the label, sorry. Holler @ me if there are any problems.
Last weekend, the lovely Ms. Janelle Monae came to Seattle and we had the pleasure of sitting down with her for an interview on Sound Session. If you’ve somehow missed her huge (and well deserved) buzz all over the net, she’s a singer from Kansas City, Kansas, by way of New York and Atlanta, who broke into the industry with Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon label. After debuting on his Got Purp, Vol. 2 compilation, she linked up with the other half of Outkast, Andre 3000, and appeared on 2 songs from their Idlewild project. She then released the first part of her Metropolis mega-series, The Chase Suite, only to re-release the Special Edition after impressing Diddy at a live performance enough that he immediately signed a partnership with her.
Janelle sat down with us to talk all about her background and inspirations growing up, how she connected with Big Boi and Diddy, the intricate storyline behind Metropolis, and much more. You can either watch the interview above, or, as I would recommend, download the broadcast quality audio feed below (complete with one of the songs off Metropolis).
Even at such an early stage of her career, Janelle’s live show is legendary so I shot some footage from her concert at the Nectar Lounge later that night. Watch the clip below to see her run through songs like “Violet Stars Happy Hunting,” “Many Moons,” “Smile, “Sincerely, Jane,” and “Lettin’ Go.”
EDIT: Video has been removed at the request of the label, sorry.
Go see this woman when she comes to your town, she’s incredible. Seattle people: Janelle will be back on October 3rd at the Showbox opening for Jamie Lidell. Be there.
I was working out & listening to Harlem World yesterday and while the album is a personal classic, I heard this line I had apparently erased from memory:
“Girl, I wanna give you carats, till you feel you a rabbit”
–Ma$e, “What You Want”
I remember this dropping when I was a sophomore in high school, and I loved damn near every track. I ain’t ashamed. This is still my JAM:
“Boo, you know how many he meet with no panties?”…ah, good times.
