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The ''[[Metropolis]]'' concept series draws inspiration from a wide range of musical, cinematic and other sources, ranging from [[Alfred Hitchcock]] to [[Debussy]] to [[Philip K. Dick]]. However, the series puts Fritz Lang's 1927 silent film ''[[Metropolis (film)|Metropolis]]'', which Monáe referred to as "the godfather of science-fiction movies," in special regard. <ref>[http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/20100604_Janelle_Monae_bringing_diverse_pop_platter_to_the_Tower.html#axzz0q1wsPjmc "Janelle Monae bringing a diverse pop platter to the Tower"]</ref><ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/2010/05/29/pop-goes-the-art-house.html "Janelle Monae: Pop Goes the Art House"]</ref> Aside from sharing a name, they also share visual styles (the cover for ''[[The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)|The ArchAndroid]]'' is inspired by the iconic poster for ''Metropolis''), conceptual themes and political goals, using expressionistic future scenarios to examine and explode contemporary ideas of prejudice and class.
The ''[[Metropolis]]'' concept series draws inspiration from a wide range of musical, cinematic and other sources, ranging from [[Alfred Hitchcock]] to [[Debussy]] to [[Philip K. Dick]]. However, the series puts Fritz Lang's 1927 silent film ''[[Metropolis (film)|Metropolis]]'', which Monáe referred to as "the godfather of science-fiction movies," in special regard. <ref>[http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/20100604_Janelle_Monae_bringing_diverse_pop_platter_to_the_Tower.html#axzz0q1wsPjmc "Janelle Monae bringing a diverse pop platter to the Tower"]</ref><ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/2010/05/29/pop-goes-the-art-house.html "Janelle Monae: Pop Goes the Art House"]</ref> Aside from sharing a name, they also share visual styles (the cover for ''[[The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)|The ArchAndroid]]'' is inspired by the iconic poster for ''Metropolis''), conceptual themes and political goals, using expressionistic future scenarios to examine and explode contemporary ideas of prejudice and class.


Both also include a performing female [[android]], though to very different effect. Where ''Metropolis'' android Maria is the evil, havoc-sowing double of the messianic figure to the city's strictly segregated working class, Monáe's messianic android muse [[Cindi Mayweather]] represents an interpretation of androids as that segregated minority, which Monáe describes as "... the Other. And I feel like all of us, whether in the majority or the minority, felt like the Other at some point."<ref>[http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/20100604_Janelle_Monae_bringing_diverse_pop_platter_to_the_Tower.html#axzz0q1wsPjmc "Janelle Monae bringing a diverse pop platter to the Tower"]</ref>
Both also include a performing female [[android]], though to very different effect. Where ''Metropolis'' android Maria is the evil, havoc-sowing double of the messianic figure to the city's strictly segregated working class, Monáe's messianic android muse Cindi Mayweather represents an interpretation of androids as that segregated minority, which Monáe describes as "... the Other. And I feel like all of us, whether in the majority or the minority, felt like the Other at some point."<ref>[http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/20100604_Janelle_Monae_bringing_diverse_pop_platter_to_the_Tower.html#axzz0q1wsPjmc "Janelle Monae bringing a diverse pop platter to the Tower"]</ref>


<ref>http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2010/0709/1224274316013.html</ref>
<ref>http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2010/0709/1224274316013.html</ref>

Revision as of 22:56, 26 August 2010

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe (born December 1, 1985 in Kansas City as Janelle Monáe Robinson) is a Grammy-nominated American singer, songwriter, dancer, and performer. She is currently signed to the Wondaland Arts Society and Bad Boy/Atlantic Records.

Biography

Monáe moved from Kansas City, Kansas to New York to study theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Her original plan was to pursue a career on Broadway, but she soon changed her mind and returned to music, an art form which, according to her, has the potential to change the world.[1]

After moving to Atlanta, GA, where she met OutKast's Big Boi, Monáe founded the Wondaland Arts Society with like-minded young artists and made appearances on Idlewild, where she is featured on the songs "Call The Law" and "In Your Dreams".

In 2007, Monáe released her first solo work, titled Metropolis. It was originally conceived as a concept album in four parts, or "suites", which were to be released through her website and mp3 download sites. After the release of the first part of the series, Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase) in mid-2007, these plans were altered following her signing with Sean "Diddy" Combs' label, Bad Boy Records, later in the year. The label gave an official and physical release to the first "suite" in August 2008, which was retitled Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition) and included two new tracks. The EP was generally well-received by critics, garnering Monáe a 2009 Grammy nomination in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance for her single "Many Moons",[2] festival appearances and opening slots for the indie pop band Of Montreal.

Monáe also toured as the opening act for band No Doubt on their summer 2009 tour.[3] Her single "Open Happiness" was featured in the 2009 season finale of American Idol. [4]

In a November 2009 interview, Monáe revealed the title and concept behind her album, The ArchAndroid. The album was released on 18 May 2010. The second and third suites of Metropolis are combined into this full-length release, in which Monáe's alter-ego, Cindi Mayweather—also the protagonist of Metropolis: The Chase Suite— becomes a messiah-esque figure to the android community of Metropolis.[5] Monáe noted that she plans to shoot a video for each song on The ArchAndroid and create both a movie and graphic novel based on the album.[6]

The Metropolis concept series draws inspiration from a wide range of musical, cinematic and other sources, ranging from Alfred Hitchcock to Debussy to Philip K. Dick. However, the series puts Fritz Lang's 1927 silent film Metropolis, which Monáe referred to as "the godfather of science-fiction movies," in special regard. [7][8] Aside from sharing a name, they also share visual styles (the cover for The ArchAndroid is inspired by the iconic poster for Metropolis), conceptual themes and political goals, using expressionistic future scenarios to examine and explode contemporary ideas of prejudice and class.

Both also include a performing female android, though to very different effect. Where Metropolis android Maria is the evil, havoc-sowing double of the messianic figure to the city's strictly segregated working class, Monáe's messianic android muse Cindi Mayweather represents an interpretation of androids as that segregated minority, which Monáe describes as "... the Other. And I feel like all of us, whether in the majority or the minority, felt like the Other at some point."[9]

[10]

Monae will receive the Vanguard Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers at the Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in 2010.[11]

Monae covered Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" on Billboard.com in June 2010.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions
US
[12] 		US R&B
[12] 		IRE
[13] 		SWI
[14] 		UK
[15]
2010 The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III) 17 4 24 36 51

Extended plays

Year Album details Peak chart
positions
US
[12] 		US R&B
[12] 		US Heat
[12]
2007 Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase)
  • First extended play
  • Release date: August 24, 2007
  • Label: Bad Boy Records
 115 20 2

Singles

Year Single Album
2005 "Peachtree Blues" Non-album song
2006 "Lettin' Go" Got Purp? Vol 2
2007 "Violet Stars Happy Hunting!" Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase)
2008 "Sincerely, Jane"
"Many Moons"
2009 "Come Alive (The War of the Roses)" The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)
2010 "Tightrope" (featuring Big Boi)
"Cold War"

Appearances

Guest Appearances

Live Appearances

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result
2009 Grammy Awards Best Urban/Alternative Performance ("Many Moons") Nominated
2010 ASCAP Awards Vanguard Award Won
MTV Video Music Awards Best Choreography ("Tightrope") Pending

References

  1. ^ [1][dead link]
  2. ^ Janelle Monáe Interview
  3. ^ at 1:55 PM (April 10, 2009). "Janelle Monae opening for Of Montreal and.. No Doubt (dates)". Brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "Open Happiness" Featured On The Season Finale Of American Idol!
  5. ^ "Janelle Monae on new album, The Arch Android". YouTube. November 11, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  6. ^ Janelle Monae Buys into Independence at Exclaim! June 2009
  7. ^ "Janelle Monae bringing a diverse pop platter to the Tower"
  8. ^ "Janelle Monae: Pop Goes the Art House"
  9. ^ "Janelle Monae bringing a diverse pop platter to the Tower"
  10. ^ http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2010/0709/1224274316013.html
  11. ^ Monae To Receive Ascap Award
  12. ^ a b c d e "allmusic ((( Janelle Monáe > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Retrieved July 27, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |MONáE&sql= ignored (help)
  13. ^ "Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)". acharts.us. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  14. ^ "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community". hitparade.ch. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  15. ^ "Chart Stats - Janelle Monáe". chartstats.com. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  16. ^ "Official Stargate Website: Content: Janelle Monae In Earth". Stargate.mgm.com. November 6, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
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