Hahahahah @ T-Pain, Akon, Diddy, and Mary J. Blige singing about how to make the world a better place. You just knew something dumb was gonna be said:
“I’d turn every bullet into a Hershey’s Kiss and we could eat away our fears”
–Akon, “Change”
“I be Diddy, you be Mase/
Eat me up, enjoy the taste”
–Lil’ Wayne, “Maneater (Remix)”
I’d really prefer not to even try to decipher this one.
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.
(if you prefer YouTube, watch it here)
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).
Janelle Monae on Sound Session - http://www.mediafire.com/?glvcjjxcbt5
(back up / streaming link - http://www.zshare.net/audio/18029402495320a0/ )
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.
This one’s a little bit of a throwback.
“And I think I have the key to her secret garden/When I see her, I used to want to beg her pardon”
–Puff Daddy, “Senorita”
I still love this track though. No Way Out is greatness.
