WCW: Janelle Monáe — HeartSleeved LB

Oct 24

Oct 24 WCW: Janelle Monáe

Welcome to my Woman Crush Wednesdays (WCW) where I’ll be celebrating the black women I stan (and you should too).

In honor of LGBT History Month, this week’s WCW is the multitalented, beautiful, powerful, and inspiring, Janelle Monáe. One of the most unapologetically herself people on earth.

She’s had us dancing since releasing her first EP, The Audition in 2003.

She’s also force in the afrofuturism space with incredibly creative videos, music, album themes, and album artwork (below).

This includes her latest project, Dirty Computer. Easily, one of the best albums of 2018. The album was a well done love letter to;

Pansexuality

Still from the Dirty Computer emotion picture featuring Tessa Thompson

And black feminism

Still from Janelle’s PYNK video Tessa Thompson

The album was accompanied by an “emotion picture” short film—an extremely creative reflection of society’s view on people who go against the grain of social norms i.e. “dirty computers.”

Poster for the Dirty Computer emotion picture

The Dirty Computer Tour was also one of the best concerts that I’ve ever attended.

Photo from one of the Dirty Computer Tour stops

UPDATE: Dirty Computer is a Grammy nominee for Album of the Year

In addition to being a successful music artist, Janelle is;

A badass activist

Janelle speaking at the Women March in Washington, D.C. (2017)

And actor, who intentionally accepts roles with positive social impact #RepresentationMatters

She was also mentored by The Purple One himself, who collaborated with Janelle for the Dirty Computer album. Even without an official feature credit, you can clearly hear his influence—especially in “Make Me Feel.” 💜

Janelle Monáe performs with Prince at the Mohegan Sun Arena in December 2013 (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

I compile these facts to say: Thank you Janelle, for being you! You’re a free ass motha fuckin queen and a real life superhero. You give a voice to the voiceless and I admire that greatly. Future generations of my family will know your name and art just like they’ll know Prince’s. You have my love and support now and forever!