Category — Janelle Monae

I almost missed this one during the chaos that was my mini-vacation over the weekend. I’m glad I didn’t.

Click above to watch the official video for Janelle Monae‘s “Cold War,” one of my favorite tracks off of the singer’s incredible debut record, The ArchAndroid.

The video requires very little explanation, though I do want to include this quote found in the press release:

“‘The ‘Cold War’ music video was filmed in the black box auditorium at The Palace of the Dogs sanitarium. This is the complete first take. This performance is unaltered and unencumbered, as those of us in attendance on that day experienced it.”‬ –Wendy Morgan (Director) and The Wondaland Arts Society

Gorgeous.

Click here to preview and purchase The ArchAndroid.

RING THE ALARM.

My very first magazine review was just published!

Check out the latest issue of Attitude Magazine on stands now to see my review of Janelle Monáe‘s debut album, Metropolis.

Yes, the issue with Kylie Minogue on the cover. Dying!

Many thanks to Kat B. for the scan.

Last Thursday, Janelle Monae held a special album launch party at the Delano Hotel in Miami on May 13 to celebrate the release of her incredible debut LP, The ArchAndroid.

Since I’m of the Northeastern persuasion, I wasn’t able to attend. However, one of my good friends and loyal Muusers, Jonny (of LoveJonny.com), was able to attend the show in my stead. Aww!

Click above to see the full recap from the night’s events, and click here to preview and purchase the album from iTunes.

Thank you so much, Jonny! Xoxo.

STOP WHATEVER YOU’RE DOING.

Janelle Monae‘s full-length debut, The ArchAndroid, has officially been released today.

You can stream the entire album at her MySpace right now.

Or, if you’d prefer to support extraordinary talent financially, click here to preview and purchase the album from iTunes.

Behold: One of the greater–if not the best–album covers of 2010 thus far.

And now, a nerdy-yet-awesome description of the crown featured in the artwork above:

The ArchAndroid Crown: Designed by Zoman Ignatius, the half-elf, half-human mystic, reportedly 500 years ago. According to legend, the crown has several magic properties, as well as innovative technologies that can be employed only by The ArchAndroid. Zoman was a consummate inventor, artist and sculptor, a cross between Tesla and Da Vinci, and as such, he designed the crown to be a work of beauty that would embody the very spirit of Metropolis. According to legend, the crown features prominent Metropolis buildings and towers that will light up radiantly when the one and only true ArchAndroid wears the crown. According to the Daily Horos, this opulent headdress was stolen from the vaults in the Black House, reportedly by 1954, in October of 2715. Several members of 1954 were hunted down and executed for this crime. But the crown was never found. Many claim it has been secreted away to the Wonderground. There is also word that in the year 2010, several 1954 operatives have crafted a replica of this historic headdress to be worn by Janelle Monáe in anticipation for her album The ArchAndroid…no word on whether or not this replica has magic properties… The Living Cyktionary, 9th Edition, 2719

You can see the crown in action in the ArchAndroid trailer here.

But really…it’s kind of perfect.

And now, the brand new video for Janelle Monae‘s new single, “Tightrope,” featuring Big Boi.

Not only does the clip contain ample amounts of toe-tipping and hallway grooving, but it also pays tribute to one of Hollywood’s first independent, avant garde filmmakers, Maya Deren.

See the mirror men? They’re from her 1943 short film, “Meshes of the Afternoon,” which was the first video I ever saw in my Independent Cinema class. Look Mommy–my college education paid off!

If you asked me a year ago if a pop artist would ever reference Maya Deren in her work, I would have burst out laughing. Lady Gaga, eat your obscure cultural reference loving heart out.

Calling all cyborgs and robots: Are you anticipating the arrival of the ArchAndroid?

Janelle Monae is preparing to beam down onto the stage of the Highline Ballroom in New York City on April 8 to perform a showcase prior to the release of her upcoming debut LP, The ArchAndroid, on May 18.

Thursday, April 8
JANELLE MONAE
Doors at 7:00pm, Show at 9:00pm
$15

MuuMuse is proud to be giving away ONE PAIR of tickets to this event. To enter, send an e-mail to muumuse@gmail.com with the subject line “JANELLE” or send a tweet my way with the following phrase: “Take me to the ArchAndroid, @muumuse!”

A winner will be randomly selected and notified on Friday, April 2.

Good luck, and may the force be with you!

It seems like it’s been eons since her fabulous EP debut, but Janelle Monáe‘s debut is finally bracing for landing: The ArchAndroid, Janelle’s first full-length LP, will be released on May 18, 2010.

In honor of the announcement, Monae is releasing two new tracks for world consumption right now: “Tightrope (ft. Big Boi)” and “Cold War,” both of which can be found for download and full stream on her official website now.

While “Tightrope” is nice and all, “Cold War” is where it’s truly at. The song is an absolute killer!

In the meantime, the funky fresh cyborg princess will be embarking on a US tour in March and April. Check below to see if Janelle’s coming through your area!

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 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
30 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
31 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater

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

Here we have Rihanna channeling both past (Grace Jones‘ collaborations with Keith Haring) and present (Janelle Monae) in a way that doesn’t smack you over the head with snobbish art elitism.

I’m sold.

DON’T FORGET TO START REQUESTING TODAY!

In a recent pre-show interview with Soul Check, Janelle Monae spilled the deets on her upcoming full-length album, The Ark Android.

It all sounds like a big metaphor for finding Jesus to me.

Brilliant!

Purchase more from Janelle Monae at HMV | MySpace | Official Website