Janelle Monáe is the queen of representation! She discusses race, politics, gender issues and sexuality through her music and off stage persona. She pre-released singles off her third studio album Dirty Computer, including \’Django Jane\’, \’Make Me Feel, \’PYNK\’ and \’I Like That\’. Three of the singles in the lead-up to its release, were accompanied by colorful music videos including \”Django Jane,” “PYNK,” and “Make Me Feel.”
Monáe achieved success outside being a musician by being the CEO of her own label, Wondaland, a CoverGirl model and a movie star, appearing in the Oscar-winning Moonlight and the Oscar-nominated Hidden Figures, two hits led by black casts.
Now she follows up, The ArchAndroid and The Electric Lady, with a liberated, outspoken 14 track project with features that include Brian Wilson,Pharrell Williams, Grimes among others. The album is accompanied by an “emotion picture”.
The Dirty Computer “emotion picture” sees Monáe playing Jane 57821, in a totalitarian future where people are known as “computers.” The film co-stars Tessa Thompson, who appears in the colorful music videos for Monáe’s previously released tracks “Make Me Feel” and “PYNK.” Those visuals all appear as part of the film’s larger narrative—memories that get deleted as Jane 57821 is reprogrammed.
Janelle explores what it means to be unique and accepting true self. As she shared on the cover spread of Rolling Stone, \”I\’m going to make you empathize with dirty computers all around the world.\”
The album was released via Wondaland Arts Society, Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records. Beginning in June, Monáe will embark on a tour supporting Dirty Computer. Check out her full schedule.
Stream or download the album here.
Groove Magazine International 