Just discovered her. Check out her myspace page which displays praise from Outkast & Fall Out Boy? praising her as the female version of Prince.

http://www.myspace.com/janellemonae


Interview here - http://www.arjanwrites.co...ation.html

That was an awesome video. I've heard of her for the past two years. She wrote some songs for Outkast's movie that came out about 3 years ago.

Have been saying that along with the "female version of Andre 3000" thing

Really?
The female version of Prince?

Not every quirky black musician/singer/vocalist is a Prince Clone. God, some columnists, man!

Mysterioso said:

I agree.

How many instruments does she play?

She is in her own league. I love her album. Much different and unusual than anything another female artist is doing. But not catchy.

I’ve been wanting to check her out for awhile and keep putting it off. I really like what I’ve heard from her so far. Can’t believe she’s on Bad Boy. Was she nominated for any Grammys? And does she play any instruments? I haven't seen anything on that yet.

I brought her CD a few months ago but I haven't listened to it yet. I'm going to listen to it eventually cause the one song I heard I really dug and it wasn't like anything out here today.

I really dig her.....but the Prince reference is not legit.

Prince mentions Janelle Monae in a recent interview with an LA newspaper. He likes her music obviously. I have her latest EP and it's good. She reminds me of a "black" version of Pink.

She was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Urban / Alternative Performance for her song "Many Moons". She didn't win. The Grammy went to Chrisette Michele.

A friend of mine saw her Friday night at a Grammy event and said she was off the chain. Lots of stage presence.
[Edited 2/9/09 8:22am]

I appreciate her as an artist - I'm really shocked but pleased that Puffy saw fit to sign her as well. She's a "left field" type of artist and her style is a refreshing alternative to the Beyonces, Rihannas, et al.


However, I agree with most of y'all - the Prince comparison is hype. And her music (Broadway orchestral pop + Outkast hip hop productions) is actually boring.

chuckaducci said:

Her voice.

IS.

NOT.

purplecam said:

Make sure you have a counselor available for when you hear "Smile". Had me bawling like a baby on the bus

chuckaducci said:

True. Very creative artist. I would have loved to see her perform on the grammys yesterday, instead of some of the acts shown last night.
[Edited 2/9/09 11:08am]

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I agree. Her voice is wonderful. But I don't think the songs are interesting or any good. Like a poster hinted towards earlier, nothing is memorable.


EDIT:

Might I add, that Jack Davey, lead singer for J*Davey, also has an interesting voice (clearly not as talented as Monae) but she and her co-hort, Brook D'Leau, do craft some pretty cool mid-tempo, left field R&B.
[Edited 2/9/09 11:11am]

chuckaducci said:

some yes, some not. I think it's a very interesting concept and vocally she delivers where the music may not. I wish she could get off the ground with this project and her career. She's so talented.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I agree with you. The concept is dope. I didn't like her intial plans of releasing her music in the form of four suites; but it seems like she's planning on releasing a proper full length soon. I'm hoping Puffy markets her appropriately and effectively because yes, she is fucken talented. But I only wish her songs were all on point.

Janelle is cool but in no way is she the female version of P. The only female that comes close is MeShell.

How come ya'll never told me about this chick?
I just checked out the stuff on her website and I'm in love!

...and I think she's more of the lovechild of Prince and Grace Jones.

Yeah, I was even looking for Grace as one of her influences!

I think she's closer to Andre 3000 then to Princey both in delivery & arrangement.
[Edited 2/9/09 14:56pm]

Farfunknugin said:

She is not like Prince to me...Well, except for a few similarities that have nothing to do with music.

Graycap23 said:

right, they're getting ahead of themselves with that comparison.

I thought Prince was the female version of Prince.

she's awsome!
Thanks or the heads up!

Mysterioso said:

Eggzackly ! People seem to have this urge to title a new artist as "the new this" or "the new that" , blahblehmeh
I'm shure some artists may even be flattered occasionally, but let these new talents stand on their own, thank you.

ScarletScandal said:

SHE IS MINE BACK OFF!!!!! I LOVE HER SO MUCH