I posted this one okayplayer as is...thought it would be cool over here too.

This is something that's been on my mind for a while...

As much as I love Janelle Monae (believe me, I am a HUGE fan), I simply didn't get it - and still don't get it - when people dub her the "next big thing", or as the successor to any of the greats.

I've yet to see anything truly original from her. When I listen to her albums I can almost pinpoint every idea and every single inspiration to something that came before her, whether it be Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson or James Brown. Tightrope, as good as it may be, sounds like a retread of a style that's been around for a long time, dating back well before Janelle's existence.

She's a decent performer, but nothing more than that. When I look at Prince during the Purple Rain Tour, James on the TAMI show, or Michael at the 1988 Grammys, I see true performers. Geniuses who set the stage on fire with their craft, who knew how to work an audience. Janelle's performances don't give me that feeling. Her dance moves are not very good and her stage presence is just okay. She doesn't have it like James did. She doesn't have it like Michael did.

This is the underlying sentiment of my post - people seem to think that the next successor to the greats will be someone like Janelle or D'Angelo - but they won't. Imitating what came before you is fine, but when it becomes pure mimicry, it's purely derivative. I understand that everyone pulls from their influences, but when I see Prince during the Parade Tour doing the best James Brown impression he can muster, I STILL feel like I'm seeing Prince. When I see Michael bust out in his best James Brown during the HIStory Tour, I'm still seeing Michael as a force of nature in his own stratosphere, just paying homage to his influences. When I see Janelle or D, I don't feel the originality mixed in there. All I see is someone desperately wishing they were from a time that's not there's.

The next big thing will probably steal a thing or two from their influences, but it will be so big and shine so bright that we will still be able to feel the originality for it. It's like Michael during Motown 25. People knew that the moonwalk wasn't his and that the opening was straight out of Fosse's book but no one cared because he elevated to his own level. He made it his own and put his own spin on it. THAT'S what Janelle and D need to even be in consideration. They need to be able to pull from their influences and still imbue it with their own originality. Furthermore, they need to be able to connect their own artistry with the general public, which means hits. Someone like Bruno Mars could be in that position. I see a lot of his influences in him, but the guy's got chops. He's smart and he's a brilliant performer, and if he works at it and comes back even stronger when his next album comes around the show could be over.

I don't mean to upset anyone. I'm just trying to let out what I've been thinking for the past little while.

smoothcriminal12 said:

I posted this one okayplayer as is...thought it would be cool over here too.

This is something that's been on my mind for a while...

As much as I love Janelle Monae (believe me, I am a HUGE fan), I simply didn't get it - and still don't get it - when people dub her the "next big thing", or as the successor to any of the greats.

I've yet to see anything truly original from her. When I listen to her albums I can almost pinpoint every idea and every single inspiration to something that came before her, whether it be Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson or James Brown. Tightrope, as good as it may be, sounds like a retread of a style that's been around for a long time, dating back well before Janelle's existence.

She's a decent performer, but nothing more than that. When I look at Prince during the Purple Rain Tour, James on the TAMI show, or Michael at the 1988 Grammys, I see true performers. Geniuses who set the stage on fire with their craft, who knew how to work an audience. Janelle's performances don't give me that feeling. Her dance moves are not very good and her stage presence is just okay. She doesn't have it like James did. She doesn't have it like Michael did.

This is the underlying sentiment of my post - people seem to think that the next successor to the greats will be someone like Janelle or D'Angelo - but they won't. Imitating what came before you is fine, but when it becomes pure mimicry, it's purely derivative. I understand that everyone pulls from their influences, but when I see Prince during the Parade Tour doing the best James Brown impression he can muster, I STILL feel like I'm seeing Prince. When I see Michael bust out in his best James Brown during the HIStory Tour, I'm still seeing Michael as a force of nature in his own stratosphere, just paying homage to his influences. When I see Janelle or D, I don't feel the originality mixed in there. All I see is someone desperately wishing they were from a time that's not there's.

The next big thing will probably steal a thing or two from their influences, but it will be so big and shine so bright that we will still be able to feel the originality for it. It's like Michael during Motown 25. People knew that the moonwalk wasn't his and that the opening was straight out of Fosse's book but no one cared because he elevated to his own level. He made it his own and put his own spin on it. THAT'S what Janelle and D need to even be in consideration. They need to be able to pull from their influences and still imbue it with their own originality. Furthermore, they need to be able to connect their own artistry with the general public, which means hits. Someone like Bruno Mars could be in that position. I see a lot of his influences in him, but the guy's got chops. He's smart and he's a brilliant performer, and if he works at it and comes back even stronger when his next album comes around the show could be over.

I don't mean to upset anyone. I'm just trying to let out what I've been thinking for the past little while.

Interesting post, Quinton. I'll have to read it over again to gather my thoughts.

Janelle Monae is hot gobbage...

never understood the hype..

been hearing about her being next up, for like 5 years now..

it aint gonna happen ..

she doesnt have the goods

RJOrion said:

I am not familiar with her first album, but The ArchAndroid is just about classic status and her more recent (2013?) album is amazing too. 2 brilliant albums so far (and possibly a 3rd) - varying styles of music - an interesting funk/spaceship/futuristic concept behind it - pro gay - erykah badu's blessing - i think she's one of the most promising.

Definitely hear the Stevie influence.

smoothcriminal12 said:

I posted this one okayplayer as is...thought it would be cool over here too.

This is something that's been on my mind for a while...

As much as I love Janelle Monae (believe me, I am a HUGE fan), I simply didn't get it - and still don't get it - when people dub her the "next big thing", or as the successor to any of the greats.

I've yet to see anything truly original from her. When I listen to her albums I can almost pinpoint every idea and every single inspiration to something that came before her, whether it be Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson or James Brown. Tightrope, as good as it may be, sounds like a retread of a style that's been around for a long time, dating back well before Janelle's existence.

She's a decent performer, but nothing more than that. When I look at Prince during the Purple Rain Tour, James on the TAMI show, or Michael at the 1988 Grammys, I see true performers. Geniuses who set the stage on fire with their craft, who knew how to work an audience. Janelle's performances don't give me that feeling. Her dance moves are not very good and her stage presence is just okay. She doesn't have it like James did. She doesn't have it like Michael did.

This is the underlying sentiment of my post - people seem to think that the next successor to the greats will be someone like Janelle or D'Angelo - but they won't. Imitating what came before you is fine, but when it becomes pure mimicry, it's purely derivative. I understand that everyone pulls from their influences, but when I see Prince during the Parade Tour doing the best James Brown impression he can muster, I STILL feel like I'm seeing Prince. When I see Michael bust out in his best James Brown during the HIStory Tour, I'm still seeing Michael as a force of nature in his own stratosphere, just paying homage to his influences. When I see Janelle or D, I don't feel the originality mixed in there. All I see is someone desperately wishing they were from a time that's not there's.

The next big thing will probably steal a thing or two from their influences, but it will be so big and shine so bright that we will still be able to feel the originality for it. It's like Michael during Motown 25. People knew that the moonwalk wasn't his and that the opening was straight out of Fosse's book but no one cared because he elevated to his own level. He made it his own and put his own spin on it. THAT'S what Janelle and D need to even be in consideration. They need to be able to pull from their influences and still imbue it with their own originality. Furthermore, they need to be able to connect their own artistry with the general public, which means hits. Someone like Bruno Mars could be in that position. I see a lot of his influences in him, but the guy's got chops. He's smart and he's a brilliant performer, and if he works at it and comes back even stronger when his next album comes around the show could be over.

I don't mean to upset anyone. I'm just trying to let out what I've been thinking for the past little while.

In what world Bruno Mars is more innovative or better than Janelle Monae? You lost me on that.

smoothcriminal12 said:

I posted this one okayplayer as is...thought it would be cool over here too.

This is something that's been on my mind for a while...

As much as I love Janelle Monae (believe me, I am a HUGE fan), I simply didn't get it - and still don't get it - when people dub her the "next big thing", or as the successor to any of the greats.

How many units did your project move... we will wait get back to us ... You are not a FAN at all you are a casual listener.

cindymay said:

In what world Bruno Mars is more innovative or better than Janelle Monae? You lost me on that.

I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is that he is one key thing over her - popularity and hits. If Bruno improves leaps and bounds by his next album he could be on top of the world with his ability and his skill.

getxxxx said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

I posted this one okayplayer as is...thought it would be cool over here too.

This is something that's been on my mind for a while...

As much as I love Janelle Monae (believe me, I am a HUGE fan), I simply didn't get it - and still don't get it - when people dub her the "next big thing", or as the successor to any of the greats.

How many units did your project move... we will wait get back to us ... You are not a FAN at all you are a casual listener.

My indie project that I released when I was thirteen? Don't come at me with that weak shit, as if me not being a superstar means I can't have an opinion on other musicians. Tell me you ain't never had a criticism of another musician.

smoothcriminal12 said:

My indie project that I released when I was thirteen? Don't come at me with that weak shit, as if me not being a superstar means I can't have an opinion on other musicians. Tell me you ain't never had a criticism of another musician.

annnnnnd intelligent discussion at the org has been reduced to posting retaliatory pictures rather than making points. Right.

getxxxx said

How many units did your project move...

------------

u mad?

bottom line...janelle monae is ass cheeks...you dont have to move any product, or be a platinum selling Grammy artist to see that...keep it a hunnit

she sux

tired of smoke being blown up her ass

enuff already

cant name a single song

can only conjure the image.

gal in a tux.

problem.

itsjustaroundthecorner said:

she sux

tired of smoke being blown up her ass

enuff already

cant name a single song

can only conjure the image.

gal in a tux.

problem.

WORD..lmao @

"can only conjure the image.

gal in a tux.

problem."

...EXACTLY...and she got Mickey Mouse hair...FOH

I didn't care for her last song, but I like the video from one of her Wondaland artists Jidenna. It kinda reminds me of Outkast's So Fresh So Clean. Janelle makes an appearance at the end. Hopefully their music will match their look.

[Edited 5/22/15 1:42am]

Here are two track from the guitarist Roman Gianrthur.

[Edited 5/22/15 1:47am]

[Edited 5/22/15 2:02am]

Thing is, when you set the bar that high (Prince, James, Stevie, MJ, etc), you're kind of unchariably setting her up for a fall, as it's so rare that an artist measures up to that legendary status. And, as for being "it", that's probably an even tougher yardstick - as much of what finds its way to our ears in everyday life doesn't really hit that bullseye we've each individually got imprinted on our musical souls. Hell, even the greats didn't always hit that spot. (The MJ I saw on the HIStory tour was a disappointing shadow of his former self, who dutifully rehashed his old moves and mimed through 90% of the gig, for example.) We tend to hold onto idealised versions of the greats, not the more mixed reality that even a great perfomer's career usually comprises.

Against a less dauntingly high yardstick - say, against her peers, particularly on today's R&B scene - I think Janelle measures up pretty well. People have different tastes, but there's a lot in what she's offering that works for me. I like her voice, with its 'young Michael Jackson' purity of tone. I like her dancing, which seems organic and expressive, and a nice change of pace from the hoochiemamaisms the rest of her cohort seem obsessed with. I like what she's bringing in terms of some kind of 'message'. For some, the whole Afro-futurism thing will feel a bit contrived, and maybe they want something more raw and unsublimated. But, as I see it, in these times of ours when everone 'bears their soul' (and their arse), whether or not they have much soul (or arse) to bear in the first place, and even the tedious Smith children offer us maudlin confessionals about their ishoos, expressing what you have to say in the sublimated form of a kooky sci-fi conceit seems somehow more interesting. Granted, the last release seems to suggest a dip in her quality control, but the rest of the material's been of a high standard, I think. Even the second album, slated as being her capitulation to the label bosses (which does, it's true, have a slightly more conventional contemporary R&B sound), features stuff like Sally Ride, which is crackingly good. Plus, the performances I've seen from her promotion of it had a genuinely buoyant and uncontrived vibe going on in them.

That said, I saw her last year, and, though it was an enjoyable show, I was a bit disappointed that she didn't really connect with the audience as well as I anticipated. She never really 'broke character' and let us into anything more personal, or served up anything that was really 'special' for the crowd on the night to take away. So, perhaps she's still got some developing to do as a performer. I can kind of see how maybe that aspect of her shtick - that she always seems a bit 'distant' or something - might not work for people. Generally works for me, though. Strokes/folks.

[Edited 5/22/15 5:49am]

Nope about Bruno, being bigger than her doesn't mean he is better. About Janelle herself we're seeing an evolution at the moment, with her abandoning the typical look and hairstyle she had on in the last years and her whole android alter ego for launching her own record label (an Ep is coming out next month featuring all Wondaland artists, she has the Yoga track on it and the other artists seems interesting, Jidenna' song is the lead single and it's not doing bad on the charts). I actually respect her a LOT because she's a good and an exciting artist and performer who made it in her own way and you never know what she will do next. It's actually exciting follow her career, something I almost forgot in these years. And at the top of that she's a black unconventional woman owning her own record label! So I don't care if she's not the next Prince or James Brown or whatever, I never liked the idea of searching the next everyone...she's Janelle Monae, let her live .

[Edited 5/22/15 5:00am]

[Edited 5/22/15 5:08am]

I think she's trying to do really ambitious things that her talent can't quite live up to. Some of her genre exercises sound like what you'd hear teenagers peform at theme parks.

badujunkie said:

I am not familiar with her first album, but The ArchAndroid is just about classic status and her more recent (2013?) album is amazing too. 2 brilliant albums so far (and possibly a 3rd) - varying styles of music - an interesting funk/spaceship/futuristic concept behind it - pro gay - erykah badu's blessing - i think she's one of the most promising.

Definitely hear the Stevie influence.

Exactly! Stevie himself is a fan of hers...

smoothcriminal12 said:

cindymay said:

In what world Bruno Mars is more innovative or better than Janelle Monae? You lost me on that.

I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is that he is one key thing over her - popularity and hits. If Bruno improves leaps and bounds by his next album he could be on top of the world with his ability and his skill.

But what does that have to do with her talent and music? That doesn't necessesarily mean that she sucks just because he is more popular You also have to factor in the fact that he has a label that is willing to back him on a bigger platform compared to her label and also the industry endorses him more compared to her. Also, his music is more pop "friendlier" compared to hers.I agree she is no MJ or Prince type of talent but she is nonetheless very talented in multiple areas in comparision to her peers. She is a good songwriter, has a good ear for music, experimentation, composition and creativity. She is unique in that respect and she really tries to push the boundaries musically in today's generation of Beyawnces and Rihonies. The ArchAndroid is a underrated classic.Oh and welcome back!

[Edited 5/22/15 5:40am]

cindymay said:

Nope about Bruno, being bigger than her doesn't mean he is better. About Janelle herself we're seeing an evolution at the moment, with her abandoning the typical look and hairstyle she had on in the last years and her whole android alter ego for launching her own record label (an Ep is coming out next month featuring all Wondaland artists, she has the Yoga track on it and the other artists seems interesting, Jidenna' song is the lead single and it's not doing bad on the charts). I actually respect her a LOT because she's a good and an exciting artist and performer who made it in her own way and you never know what she will do next. It's actually exciting follow her career, something I almost forgot in these years. And at the top of that she's a black unconventional woman owning her own record label! So I don't care if she's not the next Prince or James Brown or whatever, I never liked the idea of searching the next everyone...she's Janelle Monae, let her live .

[Edited 5/22/15 5:00am]

[Edited 5/22/15 5:08am]

Hey Cindymay! I wanted to know your thoughts on that Yoga song girl lol I dont like it She is smoking in the video though but I do agree with a point you made. Its really exciting to follow her because she switches it up (look, sound, performances) with each of her releases. I pray she doesn't decide to completely change her uniqueness though.

Meh. Haven't heard any of her music, so I can't say how good or bad it is...but she comes across so boring and weird that I'm really not interested in investigating her. She strikes me as one of those pseudo-alternative, "non-commercial" artists that music snobs and coffee-house hipsters claim so that they can appear to have 'deeper' tastes than everyone else. That cheesy song she did with Fun. is all I need to know about her. Anything else is unnecessary.

mjscarousal said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is that he is one key thing over her - popularity and hits. If Bruno improves leaps and bounds by his next album he could be on top of the world with his ability and his skill.

But what does that have to do with her talent and music? That doesn't necessesarily mean that she sucks just because he is more popular You also have to factor in the fact that he has a label that is willing to back him on a bigger platform compared to her label and also the industry endorses him more compared to her. Also, his music is more pop "friendlier" compared to hers.I agree she is no MJ or Prince type of talent but she is nonetheless very talented in multiple areas in comparision to her peers. She is a good songwriter, has a good ear for music, experimentation, composition and creativity. She is unique in that respect and she really tries to push the boundaries musically in today's generation of Beyawnces and Rihonies. The ArchAndroid is a underrated classic.Oh and welcome back!

Thanks! It's good to be here again. What I'm trying to say is that people who hailed her and continue to hail artists like her and D'Angelo as the next big things are misguided. The next major thing won't be a retread of what has come before - they'll take from their influences and use it to become larger than life. What I was saying is that Bruno has a better chance than Janelle because he already has the notoriety and a better ear for hits, so if he really makes a ploy to be the next great thing he can do it (which would require a lot of hard ass work, a kick ass life show, and

songs that will outlast his generation).

I think being "pop friendly" is a necessity. Michael was hella pop friendly. Prince at the pinnacle of his game knew how to craft a good hit. Even James knew how to get crossover success. I think a mark of a genius is being able to craft hits that the general public can relate to as well as the "underground" and music enthusiasts.

Not a fan of her music, but she is one hot good looking lady though. She should do some acting I bet she would be good.

[Edited 5/22/15 6:00am]

I dig Monae but I can easily see your point.

deebee said:

Thing is, when you set the bar that high (Prince, James, Stevie, MJ, etc), you're kind of unchariably setting her up for a fall, as it's so rare that an artist measures up to that legendary status. And, as for being "it", that's probably an even tougher yardstick - as much of what finds its way to our ears in everyday life doesn't really hit that bullseye we've each individually got imprinted on our musical souls. Hell, even the greats didn't always hit that spot. (The MJ I saw on the HIStory tour was a disappointing shadow of his former self, who dutifully rehashed his old moves and mimed through 90% of the gig, for example.) We tend to hold onto idealised versions of the greats, not the more mixed reality that even a great perfomer's career usually comprises.

Against a less dauntingly high yardstick - say, against her peers, particularly on today's R&B scene - I think Janelle measures up pretty well. People have different tastes, but there's a lot in what she's offering that works for me. I like her voice, with its 'young Michael Jackson' purity of tone. I like her dancing, which seems organic and expressive, and a nice change of pace from the hoochiemamaisms the rest of her cohort seem obsessed with. I like what she's bringing in terms of some kind of 'message'. For some, the whole Afro-futurism thing will feel a bit contrived, and maybe they want something more raw and unsublimated. But, as I see it, in these times of ours when everone 'bears their soul' (and their arse), whether or not they have much soul (or arse) to bear in the first place, and even the tedious Smith children offer us maudlin confessionals about their ishoos, expressing what you have to say in the sublimated form of a kooky sci-fi conceit seems somehow more interesting. Granted, the last release seems to suggest a dip in her quality control, but the rest of the material's been of a high standard, I think. Even the second album, slated as being her capitulation to the label bosses (which does, it's true, have a slightly more conventional contemporary R&B sound), features stuff like Sally Ride, which is crackingly good. Plus, the performances I've seen from her promotion of it had a genuinely buoyant and uncontrived vibe going on in them.

That said, I saw her last year, and, though it was an enjoyable show, I was a bit disappointed that she didn't really connect with the audience as well as I anticipated. She never really 'broke character' and let us into anything more personal, or served up anything that was really 'special' for the crowd on the night to take away. So, perhaps she's still got some developing to do as a performer. I can kind of see how maybe that aspect of her shtick - that she always seems a bit 'distant' or something - might not work for people. Generally works for me, though. Strokes/folks.

[Edited 5/22/15 5:49am]

This.

I either like something or I don't regardless of who deems it popular or not. Why does she have to be "it"?

I would add that I love both Janelle and Bruno. What they have in common for me personally is that they both saved me from mid-tempo hell. I like to say they got "pepper".

mjscarousal said:

cindymay said:

Nope about Bruno, being bigger than her doesn't mean he is better. About Janelle herself we're seeing an evolution at the moment, with her abandoning the typical look and hairstyle she had on in the last years and her whole android alter ego for launching her own record label (an Ep is coming out next month featuring all Wondaland artists, she has the Yoga track on it and the other artists seems interesting, Jidenna' song is the lead single and it's not doing bad on the charts). I actually respect her a LOT because she's a good and an exciting artist and performer who made it in her own way and you never know what she will do next. It's actually exciting follow her career, something I almost forgot in these years. And at the top of that she's a black unconventional woman owning her own record label! So I don't care if she's not the next Prince or James Brown or whatever, I never liked the idea of searching the next everyone...she's Janelle Monae, let her live .

[Edited 5/22/15 5:00am]

[Edited 5/22/15 5:08am]

Hey Cindymay! I wanted to know your thoughts on that Yoga song girl lol I dont like it She is smoking in the video though but I do agree with a point you made. Its really exciting to follow her because she switches it up (look, sound, performances) with each of her releases. I pray she doesn't decide to completely change her uniqueness though.

Hi girl! About Yoga I think Jidenna's influence on the track is strong and for what I saw of him, I think he's not on Janelle's level musically but I think he's a more accessible artist than her to sell...and even though I know Janelle can do way better musically, that's for sure (this is the woman who gave us a track like Babobbye ya), I like Yoga for what it is, a fun catchy club song. There's only one song that I really couldn' t stand after more listenings from her and that's Dance apocalyptic, oops 2 actually with Make the bus. Considering how basic the Billboard R&B market is, I think she wanted to prove to the ones that often call her too conceptual that she can be simpler if she wants. I like a lot that in recent interviews she seems more approachable and comfortable with herself than she was before and in a strange kinda way "Yoga" reminded me of the Janelle of the "Audition"days (her first independent album), it's nice to see her again without Cindi Mayweather in the picture...and even though I LOVE her android saga, I can't wait to see Cindi making a return and I'm hugely anticipating the next installment of the android concept, I hope to see, soon, after the ep with her collective, a project on her own outside the saga. About the suits and the fact that she's often wearing more feminine clothes now, as I said, Janelle Monae didn't start her career wearing tuxedos all the time, she even said years ago, a lot of times in the full tuxedos days, that she wasn't wearing them because she didn't want to be sexy or showing skin but to make a statement: to say as a woman to be in control of your body and to say that showing skin should be your choice. People in the industry at the time were putting a lot of pressure on her to showing skin and having a certain image but she refused and make a statement with that. And tbh it was time for a change...I think it's funny that a lot of men are now noticing more than ever how pretty she is, she was always a beautiful girl even with men clothes on but I guess that if you don't see skin you don't notice that

mjscarousal said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is that he is one key thing over her - popularity and hits. If Bruno improves leaps and bounds by his next album he could be on top of the world with his ability and his skill.

But what does that have to do with her talent and music? That doesn't necessesarily mean that she sucks just because he is more popular You also have to factor in the fact that he has a label that is willing to back him on a bigger platform compared to her label and also the industry endorses him more compared to her. Also, his music is more pop "friendlier" compared to hers.I agree she is no MJ or Prince type of talent but she is nonetheless very talented in multiple areas in comparision to her peers. She is a good songwriter, has a good ear for music, experimentation, composition and creativity. She is unique in that respect and she really tries to push the boundaries musically in today's generation of Beyawnces and Rihonies. The ArchAndroid is a underrated classic.Oh and welcome back!

[Edited 5/22/15 5:40am]

exactly! tbh compared to her boring contemporaries who are always doing musically the same thing all over again she's really underrated.

[Edited 5/22/15 8:14am]

[Edited 5/22/15 8:16am]