Back to the Future: Janelle Monae

She’s “an alien from outer space,” and she’s landed on our planet to save our minds and ears from the bland and sometimes mental-asphyxiating State of Music.



This Electric-Funk-Punk-Rock-Pop-Gospel-Jazzy chanteuse’s name is Janelle Monae Robinson.

A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Ms. Robinson moved to New York and then to Atlanta. Her local performances in Atlanta created a buzz; subsequent to that buzz she hooked up with Big Boi and Andre3000 - The ATL duo began featuring Monae on their projects including : the Idlewild Soundtrack. As a demand grew for her gifts, she independently released Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase on The Wondaland Arts Society label she and fellow artists started.

Clean, jazz influenced inflections, with a little gospel fire and dashes of classical describe her singing voice. Her music is everything all rolled into one, a new kind of soul music: cybersoul to be exact. The music is complex, but purist; the sounds splash into the listeners’ ear like a bright gestural abstraction painting.

The masses heard the call and answered. The music had created such an underground frenzy that to date 10,000 copies of the album have been sold, and they did so independently.

Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase is more than just music or just an album, it’s like an “ear-movie.” Janelle Monae tells the story of Cindi Mayweather: a cybergirl-android from the year 2719 who fled Metropolis because she dared to listen to her heart. She somberly and soulfully sings of hope, imagination, freedom and love. One may not know where the artist and character begin or end, but the message is undeniable. Songs like Many Moons (my personal favorite and one of the best songs ever written produced and performed) have lyrics like:

“Your free but in your mind, your freedom’s in a bind. Revolutionize your life and find your way out.”

“When your growing down instead of growing up, tell me are you bold enough to reach for love?”

One of the reasons I can really dig her music is the message: not only does it bang like a black rocker on Sunday morning, but the messages are so positive – Listen to Sincerely Jane.

"I really just want to encourage and inspire people to use their freedom in a positive way and in a way that is inspiring to other people. I want to continue to pass down the seeds of change within the world. I think that it can start with just one person. Just like a rumor can get carried on, so can inspiration. I just want to be that person that is always constantly aware of my many gifts and talents. I just want to be able to use them to the best of my ability and to never hold back. It's up to me to help change the world, I cannot look at everybody else, I can only do what I can do. So thats what I want to do with my music, I want to inspire people creatively and artistically to be free" Monae shared in an interview with ymib.com

The colorful creativity doesn’t stop at the music, it finds it way into the marketing of the music as well. Masterful artwork by Sir Chad Eric Weatherford, and the Cindi Mayweather Protection Program are examples of the Wondaland Arts Society’s cool.

The music itself will be released in four parts; Suite I of IV was already released (and is available for just five bucks on the artists website). According to a press-kit from janellemonae.com the Suite idea came out of "the observation that the iPod generation no longer buys or listens to entire albums, they listen to playlists. They grab their favorite three to four songs. This release schedule allows dynamic artists such as Janelle Monáe to always stay fresh: she will always have a new chapter or musical world to visit, a new song raiding blogs and earbuds.”

There is so much that can be said about artist Janelle Monae (her captivating performance style and unique dress) and her partners. I don’t remember how or exactly when I first came across her music, but every since then I’ve been hooked. Some of the latest news on the intergalactic artist is her partnership with Bad Boy Records. According to Bad Boy, Suite I and II of her album will be released and a video will be shot for Many Moons!

Earthlings: welcome to the future of music....and it rocks out with so much soul!

The Grammys Rocked

There were several highlights in last nights 50th Grammy Awards, but a few stood apart from the rest. Kanye West's vulnerable tribute to his mother, the Beyonce-Tina Turner show-stopper and, of course, the awkward and weird but absolutely genius Amy Winehouse certainly made the show that showcased several genres of music. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come and maybe the Grammys can become relevant once again. If you missed the performances I mentioned, check them out below.

Interview: After the Smoke

There isn't much to be said about music these days. Cookie-cutter comes to mind. But, every now and then comes a much needed breath of fresh air. Enter After the Smoke, a Tallahassee-based group compromised of a vocalist, Carmen, lyricists, Joey+, Essay Real and Whuzi, and a self-proclaimed super-producer, Speek---all of whom are songwriters. Their very distinct sound, which is likely a result of their eclectic musical tastes, doesn't fit the cookie-cutter mold. Songs like "Love Abduction" and "Go On Home" take you out of this world. A track called "Like Never Before" is one of those feel good songs, and "Dial Tone," my personal favorite, is haunting with a hook that is simple, yet infectious.

I got the opportunity to have a conversation with three of the members and it wasn't long before I realized that music, in its purest and rawest form, lives within each member of this quintet.///

Randall: Tell me and everyone who's reading this, who is After the Smoke?

Speek: We're a combination of sounds. Each of us has our own style and individuality. After the Smoke represents a fusion of those sounds--funk, soul, hip-hop and R&B--and we're not afraid of reaching out and being different.

Randall: I imagine you're a pretty tight group, but do those different styles and senses of individuality ever cause creative differences?

Carmen: You know, one might think that our differences in style would cause differences creatively, but the interesting thing about us is that because of those differences we're better. In terms of creating a song, one person has one idea and another person has another idea. We fuse those. I mean, we've never come across a time when we've had differences and we were like," Oh no! This won't work!" Whuzi's style, my voice, and all the other things fall into place.

Randall: Cool. Music is, of course, all about style. What is your first memory of music? I mean, you may have been, I don't know, five-years old and might remember hearing a particular singer or whatever and thought, "I want to do that." Whatever it may have been, when were you first introduced to music?

Speek: My mom has these vinyls of classical music, Beethoven (and others), and I'd play them because they were interesting. That's my first memory.

Whuzi: Bing Crosby. My dad used to listen to him a lot, and I can remember listening to him with my dad and singing along.

Carmen: When I hear you ask that question, I immediately think about jazz. My grandfather was a jazz musician. I'm actually named after Carmen McRae. So, I grew up around a lot of jazz music.

Randall: It may be the same answer, but who are you musical influences?

Speek: A lot of rock music influences me. Everybody from Stereolab to Radiohead to Incubus to Linkin Park. Anybody who pushes the boundaries and has no limits.

Whuzi: I'm influenced by different blends of music; old-school, funk, everything. Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, even Randy Newman.

Carmen: None of us is limited. All five of us are into all kinds of genres on different ends of the spectrum. As far as influences, I'd have to say a range of vocalists. Of course, I've got to say the big names, like Chaka Khan and Whitney, but also Amel Larrieux and Les Nubians. And, as far as MC's go, I've gotta say Lupe Fiasco and Dave Ghetto. I love them.

Randall: What do you think about the state of music as it is right now? Are you happy with it?

Whuzi: I'm not satisfied with the way music is, but at the same time I think that things play out. Things balance. Naturally the music is gonna change. It's saturated, and once things get oversaturated, something new comes and breaks that mold. So, I'm not too worried about it. Something new will eventually come out, and hopefully we'll be in it.

Carmen: We need more real singers! Singers that do it like Lisa Fischer. You know, that Luther Vandross-type singing.

Speek: As far as mainstream radio goes, I'm not impressed with the quality. I always feel like it could be better. But there are plenty of artists making really, really great music. I feel like good music is out there, it just needs to be heard.

Randall: When you say that, I think about Van Hunt as an example of someone who is making excellent music that just doesn't get played because it doesn't fit what is being played on the radio. What about you? Who do you think is not getting the recognition that they deserve?

Carmen: Chromeo. They're an eclectronic band, definitely not mainstream. But, I love them to death. That feel good stuff is underground. And hip-hop isn't dead, it's buried underground.

Whuzi: Wait for Green, another local group. They've got a good sound and a good following. I think they'd be a commercial success.

Speek: I think Van Hunt is a really good example of that. I'm really into his music, and his time is past due.

Randall: Whuzi talked earlier about the business changing "naturally," and I totally agree with that. I feel like Amy Winehouse and her retro soul sound is doing music a lot of good. Do either of you see any artists out there that are changing the landscape?

Speek: Amy Winehouse is one of those artists. I'm very happy that she's being heard and accepted. She's changing the sound of contemporary pop, and I'm definitely impressed by her work. Bits and pieces are changing, and I feel like we are a part of that.

Randall: Real quick, your favorite song right now.

Speek: Because I'm into melodies, my favorite song right now is, I'd have to say "A Flower Called Nowhere" by Stereolab.

Whuzi: Um, my favorite song? I can't think of one right now but "Bombs Over Baghdad" by Outkast is one of my favorite songs ever. Oh yeah, that Soulja Boy "Yahhh!"

Carmen: [laughs] Usher's new joint...

Randall: I didn't even know he had a new song.

Carmen: Yeah, I just heard it the other day. He's got a rap artist on it. I think it's called "In This Club." Oh! and Mary J's "Hurt Again."

Randall: What's next for ATS?

Whuzi: We have a few tracks that we're working on. We're also working with Chris & Drop who produced for Lupe's last album The Cool. And we're producing for Fonzworth Bentley. This year will see a lot of expansions with us working with a lot of people. We're trying to make a name for ourselves.

Randall: Is there an album in the works?

Speek: Well, yeah, we're working on songs and trying to get songs out to the public. We're definitely taking different avenues as far as getting our music to the next level. There's a video on the way for "Go On Home." Right now we're in the editing process.

Whuzi: Fans should look out for Essay Real's "The Return." J has an allbum coming out this month. Carmen is working on her project as well. Ultimately, our goal is to have a classic album. We put out singles to test the water. We're not looking to put an album out this second, but when we're ready the album will be there.

Randall: Sounds like a plan, but everyone knows that breaking into the music industry is so hard to do. Many try, and many fail. Why do you want to do it?

Speek: We have different reasons. As for me, it's the talent and passion for the music. It's actually going out and making sure you do what you can to be successful, to put out good music and have a message for people to connect to.

Whuzi: We're not trying to get signed. We're trying to build a business, so we, like Russell Simmons, can maintain our own music and manage ourselves. That's our agenda, and I think we're ready for the limielight.///

Agreed. Where there's smoke there's fire. For these guys, that fire is the burning passion and love for what they do. Our conversation was over the phone, but I could literally feel the twinkle in the eyes of these up-and-coming stars. So, sure, breaking into the industry is hard, but it's a lot easier when you're pretty damn good. And that's why, if that's what they want to do, this group should have no problem.

Talented and determined, bright and destined for success. Don't at all be surprised to look up and see After the Smoke sitting on top of the world when the smoke clears.


"Go On Home" Snippet


"Dial Tone" Snippet

You've Got To Hear: Jazmine Sullivan

"In Love With Another Man"

"Resentment"


At eleven she got her first fifteen minutes of fame. Now she's all grown up, and as talented as she is, she certainly deserves more than just fifteen minutes.

Badu Set to Release 'New Amerykah'

After a five year hiatus, Erykah Badu is finally at it again, and her fourth studio album is to be released on her birthday, February 26. Of course, Badu has always given music lovers something to enjoy ( See "On & On," "Appletree," "Didn't Ya Know," "Orange Moon," "Bag Lady," and "Ye-Yo") and this go round should be no exception. Badu worked with 9th Wonder, Madlib, Mike "Chav" Chavarria, and Bilal to deliever her groovy, funky sounds. And if her single "Honey" is any indication of what is to come, the sounds of 'Amerykah' should be pretty, uh, sweet.

She Tried To Get Herself a Visa But They Said 'No, No, No!'

With her widespread success last year, it's hard to imagine the 50th Grammy Awards without Amy Winehouse, who finally said "yes" to rehab two weeks ago. But the retro soul chauntese has been denied a visa to come to the United States. Her fans shouldn't fret, though; Winehouse, who is up for six awards second only to Kanye West, will be performing at the Grammys on Sunday via satellite.

Winehouse's two albums, "Frank" and "Back to Black," boast some of the best sounds and lyrics in recent memory, and despite her personal struggles Winehouse is certainly a musical prodigy. Her music stands on its own, and without it there'd certainly be a void in this year's Grammys.