How Janelle Monáe Found Her Voice (19mag-janelle) (19mag-janelle) (19mag-janelle) (19mag-janelle)

I think she's a terrific singer/dancer/actor and socially conscious and brave. I do think her song selection is not on-par with her talent. I hear Prince and St. Vincent redux. I predict an accelerated segue to acting, stage & screen and I look forward to the next stage of JM's career.

Among the many ways this over-long, over-earnest, slightly po-faced article mistakes its subject, the most egregious is its utter failure to come to terms with Janelle Monae's superb sense of humor. The new videos make this very clear. Apart from vocal stylings and tone, instrumentation, and erotic charge, what really connects Monae with her mentor Prince is the double-edged hook of perfectly modulated bombast and a wicked love for playful teasing. The videos are full of sexy and unsettling images, ribald and satirical references, exultant and challenging representations. The crude title and subtitle that have been lazily tacked on to the head of the article are at first sight offensive and naive. (Who decides what is authentic? Why are black artists constantly burdened with essentializing expectations? Why is a move towards what seems on the surface to be a more mainstream, marketable sound described as Monae "finding her voice"?) On reflection, they are so preposterously off the mark that they aren't worth taking seriously, even in fun.

As a longtime Monae fan from prior to her EP, this is a disappointing piece. Beautifully written, but Monae clearly did not open up about anything, and we know nothing more about her now than we did before the article. Maybe Monae still is very protective of her privacy and the real Janelle Monae, but all the quotes are platitudes about lifting women up and being real. The whole premise of the article is getting a peek behind the curtain and discovering the woman inside Cyndi Mayweather. We get none of that. Frankly, I don't care about her sexuality at all--I care about her music and while I Iike the somewhat derivative Prince-ish groove of "Make Me Feel" and the bite of "Django Jane," some of the originality and audaciousness has been filtered out of her songs. "Pynk" sans video just is not a good song and seems more about making an obvious statement than moving the needle musically. If that's the intent, fine. It works for those who need an anthem. But like "Yoga," it feels empty and part of her transition into a full-blown mainstream pop star. The beauty of her mentor Prince was his willingness to challenge his audience while pushing boundaries. I'm hoping "Dirty Computer" does just that, but the first songs released from it feel a bit safe. Maybe the record will be as revelatory Kendrick's "To Pimp a Butterfly" or Lauryn's "Miseducation," and I'll be proved wrong. Something tells me that's not going to happen.

She's a brilliant talent, strong and vulnerable at the same time. A beautiful woman inside and out. There is no question that she is a force, a momentum, yet delicate. Her sexual proclivities are irrelevant. Her artistry is potent. A lovely lady.

It's nice to know that there are female musicians that are about more than their weaves, who are actually getting attention from the mainstream media. I was beginning to think that Beyonce and Cardi B were the only women of colour making music (or whatever it is those ladies do). I'm still trying to get over the loss of Prince; I don't know if I ever will. Watching the video for 'Pynk' was the first time that I felt the vibe that I got from His Purple Badness.

I've been paying attention to her these past few years because she's obviously very talented and intelligent, as well as quite beautiful. She always comes across confident and authentically comfortable being who she is, which is unique. She's also one of the few of her generation that I can listen to because she actually has something to say, lyrically. And her acting performances were truly impressive. I hope she enjoys the new level of success coming her way. She's earned it. And I think she will be able to handle it without spinning out of control.

Janelle Monae is a true Renaissance woman. She has an abundance of talent, and everything she touches turns to gold. Thank you for this behind-the-scenes portrait of her struggle to find a way to express her authentic voice in a world that doesn't value who she is. She takes her responsibility to represent very seriously, another sign of her strong leadership.

Monaé is clearly one of the rising star vocal artists, lyricists, and actors focusing her sharing her perspective, music and talent on the liberation of women from a culture that continues to reject the full expression of womanhood. And she has a loyal and growing audience. I proud to be one of them.

Her work is truly amazing, I appreciate what she's doing for the music world, she is truly a visionary for herself!

Janel Monáe is aces, she is a great musician with a huge upside. We will be listening to her musical growth for many, many years. In a weird way Princes' death may actually make her work more significant since so many gifted female artists have been pigeonholed as protégés to HIS vision and not achieve long-term musical success. A long shadow shed me be her most significant reveal yet.

I am so grateful for everything she's doing and creating. It's incredible to watch an artist grow and develop the confidence and strength to reveal her truest self. This is a moment I feel with her. A moment I think a lot of women are collectively feeling. I've cried watching every one of her music videos. They feel like powerful, visual statements I know I needed to see, but didn't know who would create them. She's putting words to feelings for so many of us. I feel stronger and more confident with this album being released. It feels cathartic somehow, as if she's channeled all those negative narratives society uses to oppress us and box us in, and gave us tools to reject those narratives. I'm so grateful this artist found her voice and is inviting us watch her journey. It's our journey too. I love it so much! Monaé for prez!

I've been waiting for her to 'step out'. I've been a fan for years. She's a tiny powerhouse and an accomplished musician/performer whose time has come.

Wait when did Janelle say she was a lesbian? Are we projecting our fantasies onto her here and making assumptions or has she actually come out and claimed that label?

I love her cape. I love that she kissed D. Letterman right back when he kissed her hand. She's terrific.

This is great, and I'm so glad to see Janelle getting more mainstream attention. I loved her early stuff, but I don't have any problem with her getting more pop-ish (imo Yoga is a true masterpiece, and these new songs are sort of somewhere between her earliest stuff and that -- more radical and serious but still fun bops). I will say that I'm surprised to hear "Make Me Feel" as revealing Janelle as maybe gay, and to see her referred to as potentially a lesbian. I thought it was widely understood that the "Make Me Feel" music video was *the* new bisexual anthem? If there's a man in "Dirty Computer" who isn't as important as Tessa's character, I see that as being because Tessa plays the main love interest, not because Janelle is actually gay (as opposed to bi/queer) and looking for some sort of deniability.

Valid. All of Jenna Wortham's points in this article are interesting. HOWEVER I have been a fan of Janelle Monáe's long before she became popular. I remember watching her songs from 2013 when their listenership on youtube was under a million. I adore her music and what she crooned on her albums but at some point in her career she released "Yoga" her first popular song. I was underwhelmed. She seemed to have changed lanes from music on "The Archandroid" or "Electric Lady", and that was not a problem for me, she can experiment, but that song was not her best and neither is this new stuff she is releasing. I was excited for "Dirty Computer" but I'm just being disappointed by what she is putting out, It seems she is more concerned with symbolism and activism and combating structural what what than the actual MUSIC. Because these new releases do NOT sound good (to me), maybe she wants commercial success or to sell more than her previous albums did, but you cannot compare "Pynk is my favourite part" to "Categorise me, I defy every label" "Many Moons", "Cold War" or "Q.U.E.E.N." The musicality and origanality is just not there any more, and trust me I am not one of those "I only like underground music nyeh" people, I want her to succeed but sacrificing musicality for well timed marketing gimmicks and pretty album covers is not how (or maybe it is). I KNOW what Jane can do and this is NOT her full potential. Please listen to her earlier music her voice is more real than this.

Valid. All of Jenna Wortham's points in this article are interesting. HOWEVER I have been a fan of Janelle Monáe's long before she became popular. I remember watching her songs from 2013 when their listenership on youtube was well under a million. I adore her music and what she crooned on her albums but at some point in her career she released "Yoga" her first popular song. I was underwhelmed. She seemed to have changed lanes from music on "The Archandroid" or "Electric Lady", and that was not a problem for me, she can experiment, but that song was not her best and neither is this new stuff she is releasing. I was excited for "Dirty Computer" but I'm just being disappointed by what she is putting out, It seems she is more concerned with symbolism and activism and combating structural what what than the actual MUSIC. Because these new releases do NOT sound good (to me), maybe she wants commercial success or to sell more than her previous albums did, but you cannot compare "Pynk is my favourite part" to "Categorise me, I defy every label" "Many Moons", "Cold War" or "Q.U.E.E.N." The musicality and origanality is just not there any more, and trust me I am not one of those "I only like underground music meh" people, I want her to succeed but sacrificing musicality for well timed marketing gimmicks and pretty album covers is not how. I KNOW what Jane can do and this is NOT her full potential. Please listen to her earlier music her voice is more real than this. I really do love her

'Discovered Janelle when 'Tightrope' was released - Wow - and knew then that this woman was special. This article vindicates what we all saw in this artist, and it's very satisfying to see JM sticking to her unique vision and forging a bright path through the jungle of commercial pop - her message is strength and genuine respect for others, which is why she has so many fans! Go, Janelle!

I first saw here in an episode of Stargate Universe and she had a lot of dynamic energy back then. I just assumed that she was doing great since then.

Nice music, and she is a super talented singer. And fine if its packaged with social commentary, even if, for me, it is no more or less of a marketing ploy than was Beyonce's lemonade.

Authenticity has never been a problem for Janelle Monae. Even her alter-ego is more authentic than most pop stars now. She reminds me of Lauryn Hill, but I still think Lauryn is one of the greatest American female singer song-writers of all time on par with Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone, and Carol King, and is tough to beat. This idea that Monae is finding her voice seems more appropriate for Beyonce raising the roof and telling the truth at Coachella than the consistently conscious, sassy, and real singer-songwriter, producer, choreographer, model and actress who is Janelle Monae. Janelle is also consistently under-rated. She didn't find her voice, YOU found her voice. She just keeps getting better and better.

more clueless commentary from a music critic. to quote Frank Zappa "Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read." Janelle Monae never "hid" behind anything. and the definition of "authenticity" in american pop music is a joke. that "authenticity" has brought us utter garbage, from Presley, Sinatra, and the most pathethic "authentic" "singer" of all time, Bob Dylan. i'll take the extreme attention to detail, creativity and perfection that you find in k-pop over the bogus "authentic" nonsense from the likes of Green Day, or worse, Coldplay.

Her music is not inventive, or "breakout" original. That is not to say she is not talented, which she is, just nothing new, visceral, or compelling. She is a design package, take away all the wrappings and you have an average talent. Kind of a retread artist. And please, the Prince comparison, not.

The first time I listened to ArchAndroid, my mouth was agape. I don't know when I've heard a performing artist with such range. MAN, can she sing. She's been performing her entire life, and she's one of an elite bunch of really, really good singers. Apple ads, hit movies like "Hidden Figures", and of course singing - she'll get her big, big day. Talent as large as hers can't be stifled forever.

Janelle is right up there with Lady Gaga: image uber alles, average to good musically, not particularly original or innovative. Not much else to get excited about.

I always thought that Cindy Mayweather had fallen hopelessly in love with a human named "Anthony Greenbaum", not "Greendown". I guess it doesn't matter, she was immediately disassembled with chainsaws and electro-daggers. Thanks for the fun rules, droid control marshals.

I'm glad to see Ms Monae getting much deserved attention! I've been a fan since her career began, and have seen her in concert twice. It's also great that she's speaking out for the rights of women, blacks, and the LGBT community!

I think it's time this paper start being open about who gets paid how much from whom with respect to various essays that clearly have big cash implications. It seems like half the articles have an author hawking a book, or the article is right off of some agent's promo desk. Nothing evil here, but in the interests of full disclosure, and in the interest of informing readers how a paper works, it would be nice to see the array of backroom haggling & bidding that leads to one story crowding out another.

I had the privilege of seeing Janelle Monae live with her Wondaland Crew in Philadelphia. I experienced the energy in the room when she and the other performers chanted, screamed the names of the fallen black men and women at the hands of police brutality. I am a white woman that will forever value and cherish the magnitude of standing in a sea of individuals who are hurting and mourning and raging at the injustices. It was important to be amongst a small minority in that space, and to bear witness to the movement that was happening, and to stand in solidarity of the black fists raised in the air. Janelle did that, and I am forever grateful to her for that life changing experience.

She can sing. All a matter of finding the right material to make her a commercial success.

I have followed her for number of years and a huge massive fan of her music and art. This article was fantastic!! kudos to both Janelle and Jenna

Genius in music is having an original independent evolving growing sound and message aka Janelle Monae. Go on with your bad self!

I usually listen to rock so I'm a bit clueless about what's going on in other styles of music. However, my kids were watching recently a Sesame Street clip where Janelle was performing a song and I immediately liked her music (so unexpected to find a new artist through some kids tv show :D ). I listened to her albums and singles after and now I'm a huge fan! This article surprised me since I still didn't know much about how she started her career or her story. Amazing feature, thank you so much for this article!

Thanks for FINALLY giving Janelle Monae her due. She is one of America's greatest contemporary artists, finally coming into her own. Don't be afraid to be your real self, Janelle, now's your time, and the more true to yourself you are, the more people will respond - you're authentic and you have something to say, rare gifts in truth. There's no stopping you now.

It's not a reach for Monae to be compared or paired with Prince. He worked on this album, she's sung with and performed with him multiple times. And like Prince she rocks what she wants and ignores her music label wants. Which is why she's not as big as she should be. This idea that because someone is dead and no one can come and replace them or match them is ludicrous. Even Prince didn't believe that, nor did he care. He groomed a lot of people and wanted their music to reflect their aesthetic and be just as good as his. It's only logic that some of those musicians might surpass him. He loved music, period. And he knew good music and good showmanship when he saw it. It's no surprise that Beyonce, Janelle, and others he touched are coming out with songs bathed in his influence and with a lot of his bass lines. Both women are songwriters, both women know how to rock instruments, and both women have an intense work ethic, and both women love their work and can put on a show. How is that not like Prince? And why wouldn't they surpass him? They're going to have lots of tools at their disposal that he never did. Isn't it the goal of every "parent" to see their "child" be greater than themselves? I can't wait for Dirty Computer. I'm not sure I go for the "more authentic self" argument. That's the same argument that claims that all art is biographical. If you've been listening to Janelle, she's had a sound and a flair that has screamed who she was for a very long time.

Oh, this old chestnut. While Monae is very talented (more so as an actress, really, from her work in "Hidden Figures" and "Moonlight"), this business of musicians continually saying that their newest album is their "true self" is getting tiring. Especially when we can expect the same piece in three years, when she has a new album to push. That said, I hope the album has more songs like "Tightrope" and "Cold War", which are both amazing.

I've loved Janelle for years. The industry is so splintered now, but I feel that she would have been a household name had she hit 30 years ago. "Electric Lady" was truly amazing, so I'm waiting to see what this next album brings.

From the brilliant "Tightrope" to the pandering "Yoga" (and the Cover Girl and Pepsi spots in-between) you get the feeling that there's been a lot of conflicting input into her choices. Hoping that "Dirty Computer" delivers her right back to the authenticity that made me a fan.

#AmericanOriginal Terrific stuff.

From the earliest of days all of the blues women were, let's say, quite sexually liberated or non binary or whatever the acceptable term might be. I care less about Monae's private life than her artistry and like, WOW! One of the reasons why Prince's death was so sad for me was I feared we'd never see his likes again--the artistic license, freedom, utter liberation and joy his music represented. Today I'm so happy. He didn't die after all.

Ah, I just love her so much. She's been on my radar since 2009-2010 when I saw her perform the Prince tribute at the BET Awards and I've been a fan ever since. I feel like I've been waiting for her upcoming album for ages, but it's been a joy to follow her success in-between with film and activism. I'm rooting for her, wholeheartedly. PYNK and Make Me Feel are absolute bops. Her style and aesthetics are incredibly strong and there are many artists like her out right now. She's important, powerful, and I'm excited for the entire album.

A genius comes of age. Go boldly, JM.

Big talent. Up there with Billie Holiday and Mama Thornton...

Janelle Monae is all kinds of HOT. Thanks NYT for warming up my morning with HER.

Great job New York Times. This is a wonderful article. I learned so much about Janelle Monae. Can't wait till Dirty Computer drops.

Monae's journey & music makes this 70+ "getting nearer to wisdom" guy -- happy and uplifted. Thank you Monae for becoming, still, yourself.

I'm interested to see how Ms. Monae envelops Prince's artistry in her work. I'm liking what I hear and see.

Fantastic profile of a woman on a mission for all women. Janelle Monae is art expressed in multiple media. Thrilled to watch her audience grow. Thank you!