Janelle Monae - 'Tightrope' Ft. Big Boi (video)

Janelle Monae The ArchAndroid on Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy/Atlantic Records arrives May 18.

Janelle Monae 'The ArchAndroid' Spin Magazine Sneak Preview NYC Listening Session

Atlanta's R&B star Janelle Monae debuted her May 18 release, The ArchAndroid, with an exclusive listening party in New York Thursday night (March 4), and like her music, the event was loads of tripped-out fun -- Diddy even patched in via webcam from his Paris hotel suite to join the party.

On the strength of a solid '09 -- "Many Moons," the single off her EP Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase, landed a Grammy nod for Best Urban Performance -- Monae signed with Diddy's Bad Boy Records, and if anyone knows how to throw a party tailored to every nuance of his 25-year-old singer's oddball taste, it's Diddy.

Actors dressed in black undertaker cloaks and white beaked masks circled an open bar where SNL's Kenan Thompson and members of the Roots drank; attendees were escorted two at a time into a small basement theatre, where popcorn was served; and special programs describing "The ArchAndroid Experience" were distributed, complete with this instruction: "After you've heard The ArchAndroid, please don't tell your friends its shocking secrets."

"Janelle is my most artistic signing yet," Diddy said, his image projected on the theatre's screen. "She's not afraid to dream. I'm known for my hype, but her music speaks for itself." His accolades were then interrupted by a knock at his door. "Oh, sorry. It's room service!" Sigh.

"I want dancing," Monae then instructed. "Get up, act a fool!"

The deep beats of "Suite II Overture" then blasted to a film accompiment -- videos of pyramids, boxing matches, trains, and taxis, plus acid-drenched pics of Monae, the clip's co-director -- and in seconds the place was jumpin'.

Members of Monae's Wondaland Arts Society crew flailed, shook, mash-potatoed, and straight freaked in the aisles. And for good reason: The ArchAndroid is out-of-this-world funky, from the turbocharged R&B single "Tightrope" to the free-floating jazz guitar and psych bass grooves of "Mushrooms and Roses."

Kenan Thompson, standing outside the venue after the event, wearing sunglasses in the dark, was impressed. "I loved it," he said. "It's high energy… it's wild. (source)

Also, read Suite 903 blogsite's rendition of Janelle Monae's listening session:
Suite 903 - Preview: Janelle Monae’s New Album

Janelle Monae 'The ArchAndroid' Arrives May 18; First Single "Tightrope" (ft. Big Boi)

via the press release

NEW YORK, NY--(February 11, 2010) - Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy recording artist Janelle Monáe has announced the release of her eagerly awaited debut album. "The ArchAndroid" will arrive in stores and at all DSPs on May 18th.

The album will be heralded by the first single, "Tightrope (ft. Big Boi)." The track will premiere on Thursday, February 11th on Pitchfork.com, with a companion song from "The ArchAndroid," entitled "Cold War," debuting the following day via Monáe's official website, janellemonae.com. Both songs will be available for purchase exclusively at the site beginning February 12th, and then at all DSPs on February 23rd. In addition, a music video for "Tightrope" is currently in pre-production.

"The ArchAndroid" is an "EMOTION PICTURE" brought to you by Janelle Monáe and the Mad Minds of the Wondaland Arts Society. The star-studded featured cast includes the legendary Big Boi of OutKast, renowned poet Saul Williams, psychedelic dance-punk troupe Of Montreal, punk prophets Deep Cotton, and the Wondaland Arch Orchestra.

The album was recorded at Wondaland Studios in Atlanta, but written all over the world, including but not limited to Moscow, Prague, Istanbul, Berlin, Amsterdam, New York, and the Palace of the Dogs. "The ArchAndroid" was inspired not only by the energy of these places, but by such revolutionary musicians and artistic visionaries as Salvador Dalí, Walt Disney, OutKast, Stevie Wonder, Octavia Butler, David Bowie, Andy Warhol, and John Williams. The album was Executive Produced by Nate Wonder, Chuck Lightning, Janelle Monáe, and Sean "Diddy" Combs, with Co-Executive Production from Big Boi of OutKast.

A ground-breaking, genre-blurring singer, songwriter, producer, and performer, Monáe's inventive style melds a refined pop sensibility with an extraordinary postmodern mash-up of soul, funk, and rock 'n' roll. Like Sly Stone, Prince, and OutKast, Monáe proves that innovative music can jam, while simultaneously inventing new concepts and sounds. "The ArchAndroid" follows the Grammy Award-nominated artist's two acclaimed EPs, 2008's "METROPOLIS: THE CHASE SUITE (SPECIAL EDITION)" and "METROPOLIS: SUITE I OF IV," both of which received extensive critical praise upon their initial releases.

Monáe is slated for a variety of live dates and TV appearances surrounding the release of "The ArchAndroid." A charismatic and unique live performer who has previously toured with No Doubt, Paramore, Erykah Badu, and Raphael Saadiq, she will also be doing a series of exclusive residencies in a number of cities across North America -- full details will be announced shortly via janellemonae.com.

What's more, Monáe is set to join this summer's much anticipated 2010 Lilith Tour, joining a star-studded array of female artists including Sarah MacLachlan, Norah Jones, Mary J. Blige, Loretta Lynn, Tegan & Sara, Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, and many others. Full tour details will be unveiled shortly.

Janelle Monáe is a true 21st Century musical phenomenon, earning widespread acclamation for her compelling cybersoul sound. The Atlanta-based artist -- who first garnered national attention for her collaborations with Big Boi on OutKast's "IDLEWILD" -- has been profiled in a wide range of national publications, including Vogue, GQ, SPIN, Nylon, PAPER, Essence, and the New York Times.

"A very different kind of diva," declared Vogue. "Monáe creates this futuristic world of hers by synthesizing past inspirations: the operatic pop and hornlike sharpness of Shirley Bassey, the energetic funk of James Brown, and the breezy rock and soul of OutKast," said Creative Loafing. "'It's been awhile since I felt so fully enraptured and bemused and awed as I did when she was on stage," proclaimed Paste, while Vibe noted, "Monáe's upcoming album is poised to bring an eclectic, urbane feel to today's R&B." "Janelle Monáe is honing her completely individual skills as a very exciting solo artist," said the UK's Blag, "not only in sound but very much in style."

Monáe has also drawn accolades from fellow artists across the musical spectrum. "What I love about Janelle is that she has a magical ability to bring folks together," says Big Boi, while his partner in OutKast, Andre "3000" Benjamin declares, "Ms. Monáe has one of the most enchanting voices of our generation. She's a living, singing babydoll. Darling... just darling. Ha."

Legendary artist Prince hails Janelle, saying, "She is so smart." "Janelle Monáe is one of the most important signings of my career," proclaims Sean "Diddy" Combs. "She is a true visionary, with an original sound and a mesmerizing presence. I can't wait to watch the future unfold for Janelle."

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival Day 1 roundup

With the Knux, Janelle Monae & Solange Knowles.





Janelle photos:
Wire Image
Getty Images
The Knux photos:
Wire Image
Getty Images
Solange Knowles photos:
Wire Image

(video courtesy of Billboard)