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Hot New Talent Alert: Janelle Monae
Janelle Monáe descends upon us like a creature from outer space. Free from any industry-imposed boundaries and senseless sterotypes, she mixes up blues, hip & hop, electro glam and synthesized funk to create a stellar new genre of her own. Monáe has carved out her own little universe in which, quite frankly, everything is possible.
Her forthcoming new album, titled "Metropolis Suite," features her alter-ego Cyni Mayweather who lures the listener into her sci-fi inspired world of cybersoul. Lead track on that album is "Violet Stars Happy" that you can hear on her MySpace page. It's total hotness.
The singer also takes part in th Atlanta Ballet production of "Big" of that premiers on April 10. The show was concepted by Antwan "Big Boi" Patton of Outkast fame. A friend of mine is a dancer with the Atlanta Ballet and told me that Janelle is "a little ball of energy" who will not only sing but also dance in the show.
Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Janelle Monáe moved to New York City after high school to attend The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, the famed music and theatre conservatory. Deciding to extend her range beyond classical and Broadway, she moved to Atlanta, GA to explore the possibility of becoming a recording artist. Upon arrival, she garnered a huge cult following by performing for college students at the Atlanta University Center (AUC). It was during one of these performances that Monáe met Nate "Rocket" Wonder and Chuck Lightning of Wondaland Productions and began work on the concept and music that would form "Metropolis" together with executive producer Antwan Patton..
Sean Combs announced yesterday the signing of Monáe to his Bad Boy Records via a pact with Monáe’s Atlanta-based record label, the Wondaland Arts Society. Combs expects "Metropolis Suite" will be released in September preceded by a digital EP in June.
Listen to Janelle Monáe "Violet Stars Happy"
April 1, 2008 in Hot New Talent Alert, Janelle Monae | Permalink
Comments
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Another hot new talent that deserves more love:
Doctor Rosen Rosen
www.myspace.com/drrosenrosenmusic
Posted by: liz at Apr 1, 2008 2:07:03 PM
Arjan great find you have to listen to "Many Moons" and "Sicerely Jane" from that same EP..take care
Posted by: Antonio at Apr 1, 2008 2:59:42 PM
Yeah, she's great. I discovered her last year. The entire Metropolis Suite is genius. She also has a song called "Letting Go" from a Big Boi compilation album from '06. Very good.
Posted by: glenn at Apr 3, 2008 5:50:15 AM
Anyone have a link where you can purchase the first suite online? I know it's not really available in retail stores.
Posted by: Ryan at Apr 3, 2008 6:10:26 AM
Metropolis Suite 1 is currently not available for purchase, comes out June 17th I believe.
However, if you check certain avenues, it may be available. I won't name or support those...
That being said, I'm buying this when it comes out, I just love the business model and the absolutely insanity of the experiment... and music with a story?! Who knew!
Posted by: Jaesin at Apr 3, 2008 2:38:52 PM
Turns out that it was released last august... How it slipped under the radar, I have no idea.
Amazon.com's music store (Mp3s for download), will have it on June 17th.
Posted by: Jaesin at Apr 3, 2008 3:03:18 PM
I didn't know her. Tx
It sounds good
I need that
Posted by: SdC at Apr 7, 2008 11:40:39 AM
