Yep...the latest installment of my blog Murphy's Law at Vibe.com.....I have to say I was blown away by Janelle Monae's upcoming album Arch Android...Shit is insane....In the past I've admitted that Lady Gaga is actually talented for a pop act, But I think this Janelle chick is a revelation....No hype...Here's what I wrote and of course my thoughts on a few other things...

Murphy’s Law: Janelle Monae > Lady Gaga; Obama More Gangsta Than Lil Wayne; And Some Other Things You Should Know…

Janelle Monáe makes Lady Gaga sound like an Idaho high school talent show contestant. I was ready to dismiss the pompadour wearing, bobby sock saddle shoes rocking, back-to-the-future singer-songwriter as a hype-fueled gimmick. But after hearing Monáe’s upcoming big label debut The ArchAndroid last week, I can say without hyperbole that it’s an early contender for album of the decade.

Yeah, I said it.

Let’s see if a public weaned on a predictable, bland steady diet of Alicia Keys will find a place for a risk-taking artist who possesses some of the most versatile (and pitch perfect) vocal chops around and pens songs that sound like Fela Kuti leading a space age tribal funk band on Mars (“Dance or Die”); Michael Jackson if he were produced by Giorgio Moroder (“Locked Inside”); James Brown going newwave (“Tightrope”); and a Broadway musical on acid (“Sir Greendown”). Wow.

-Watching Barack Obama’s last speech on healthcare is proof that some politicians, whether you agree with them or not, are not afraid to lose political capital, no matter what the polls say. That’s gangsta.

What’s not gangsta? Lil Wayne claiming that he’s Blooded-out, but needing a panic button on his belt to alert guards when the goons are coming.




To read the rest of my life-changing thoughts, you know the deal.....Link:

http://www.vibe.com/posts...ngs-you-sh

Funny that you brought up JB

The MINUTE I heard Tightrope in here I immediately decided that it was a nod to Soul Brother #1. Oh yeah, Ms.Monae is def the works and then some. Although, I need to hear the other songs you mentioned(esp the broadway tune).

Lets just HOPE, if the album generates a big success, she doesn't fall victim to the pressure OR turn what seem to be a sincere attempt on music into a gimmick(which can also derive from pressure).

I'm def ready for Ms.Monae.

I always dug Janelle I will be getting this album.

Harlepolis said:

Yep....And don't be put off with the "Broadway" description...That song is pretty cool...I think Monae is the real deal...I thought her whole thing was a gimmick, but the album I heard killed such notions....

As for my other thoughts in the blog, let me know what u think....I know YOU have an opinion....lol

murph said:

I'm not,,,actually, this is even more of a reason why I should pay this girl some attention.

God knows I'm hungry for some multi-dimensional musical statement instead of the usual fluff that attempts to "speak down" to me.
[Edited 3/12/10 18:03pm]

Oh and...

Sistas will be mad. But Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks can get it. Right now.

LOVE Joan(And she could easily get it if I had taste for women) I even love the annoying mousy girl(Peggy?). Def one of the mest shows I've seen in a long time.

Harlepolis said:

Yep...so right..lol.....And yo...check your Org notes, homie...

I remember the Many Moons track and thought she had the Pop chops.
Then after noticing she was attached to Diddy my thought was...she's doomed.

Let's hope for the best cause she is good.

And i've got to hear this "Fela Kuti leading a space age tribal funk band on Mars" track.


Music for adventurous listeners


tA

Tribal Records

theAudience said:

Man, you should've seen the outrage when she signed her life away to the devil's den,,,I mean Bad Boy.

I wasn't even a fan at the time but I shook my head in disgust when I read the news(I still am). I don't understand why people are SO easily duped when there are evident after another of Mr.Combs' sheisty, grimy, self-serving deeds. Save for Mary J, I think its safe to say that everybody who signed to the original "Death Row"(Bad Boy) have lost their way to cricketsville,,,and he ended up as the beneficiary.

Remember dude who released a book about him and called him "the devil incarnate"? I won't be SO quick to shrug him off.

theAudience said:

Janelle's music is ok. I'm not a fan of her somewhat pretentious act/image, but yeah, I do agree that she is way better than Gaga.

Harlepolis said:

Time will tell whether she becomes another permanent resident of "cricketsville".
(I love that!)


Music for adventurous listeners


tA

Tribal Records

I didn't know she was under Bad Boy

Musicslave said:

Yes indeed.


Music for adventurous listeners


tA

Tribal Records

WaterInYourBath said:

I was in the same boat as you...And again it has to be said, I think her older material is a little aimless and over hyped....I thought she was on some fake Ziggy Stardust shit...

But after hearing that new album?...Yikes....It will make you a believer....

midiscover said:

She has a special deal with them...it's actually Atlantic Records and Bad Boy...

But don't worry...Diddy won't get in the way, from what I've seen....

murph said:

Lol. That's why I can't get into her music. I love Tightrope though. It's very James Brown and Prince inspired. I might need to check this album out.

I Remember before how Hyped up she was and she came out with a single that was decent.I Usually like weird artists but i'm not checking for her yet we'll see. And I wouldn't even put her in Gaga in the same sentence they have two different things going on.

midiscover said:

Trust me...the new material will change your mind....

I can't wait for Janelle's new album! I love the heck out of Metropolis.
[Edited 3/12/10 19:45pm]

murph said:

How do you figure that Puff won't get in the way? Trust me, I hope he doesn't...

Musicslave said:

Because Monae's a self-contained act...All she is looking for is promotion and distribution....But of course, I could be wrong...lol

murph said:

I see where you could think that. Let's all cross our fingers and hope your right.

Musicslave said:

Hey, all I have is hope...

I think Diddy knows she doesn't need his "help" so he most likely will let her do her thing

Harlepolis said:

Christina would get it til my soul caved in

I really have high hopes for Janelle Monae and she has yet to let me down. I really hope she becomes the new IT artist. Maybe there might be more talented musicians out there who deserve that due. (ie: Van Hunt) But lets' just face it Janelle has the sound to be a major commercial artist. Yet she has the traits of the old pop stars (ie: Michael Jackson) She's original, she's talented, she's risk taking, she's creative and she's smart! very smart~. She's not like Beyonce or Lady Gaga who come off as bland and un-inspiring.


One the of things i like the most about is her style. As much as i like to see some naked women. Monae isn't doing that. She's going the other route. She's doesn't need to sell her half naked body like Beyonce and GaGa do. She's gonna sell herself as a young intelligent classy talented women. Take it or leave it! And imo she's talented enough to do that. She doesn't need sex to sell. She's got talent.

bboy87 said:

Got Damn bruh! Isn't she the same chick that starred in a short lived television series with Taye Diggs a few years ago. Yeah, I remember noticing her back then.

murph said:[quote]Yep...the latest installment of my blog Murphy's Law at Vibe.com.....I have to say I was blown away by Janelle Monae's upcoming album Arch Android...Shit is insane....In the past I've admitted that Lady Gaga is actually talented for a pop act, But I think this Janelle chick is a revelation....No hype...Here's what I wrote and of course my thoughts on a few other things...




Hey murph like some on the points you have made here ...yes Janelle Monae is a great talent and better than GaGa .....BUT....she will not break into the commerical pop market like GaGa as the record companies will not have it...she's a black "prince-mode" girl ...she just not gonna cross over...

The bland Alicia Keys and Beyonce is here to stay ...sorry...as that's what the record companies can sell ... i'm not blaming the artist as they want to get paid so they do what is "popular"

murph said:

I'm glad she on Bad Boy because without puffy she would not get a look in...man don't you guys know how the record industry works....

This is Prince.org ...he's the blueprint...