WaterInYourBath said:

Check out Janelle Monae's previous release Metropolis and her new one... The Archandroid. It's all concept and follows a story line. The first Album was originally released on her own indie label, Wonderland Arts Society and rereleased when her label was incorporated into Bad Boy. The first album was suite #1.. the new album just released comprise suites #2 nad #3... all of a planned 4 suite set..

Her project was definitely influenced by Metropolis to the point that 'a' Metropolis is the setting of her story line about a prototype android named Cindy Merriweather which falls in love with a human... something forbidden and she's hunted down because of it.

Very inspiring project and not your typical industry recycled fare. The girl has skills. I recall an article before Lotusflow3r (ughhh to the site) came out in which Prince mentions her by name as someone he liked (or something to that extent)

As some one mentioned... I believe some artist are following her in this current wave. but the robotic imagery is nothing new over all and you're going to find many artist doing some form of it or other. Just maybe not always in 'pop' music but definately beiing done in several other genres.

TonyVanDam said:

I don't think its' borderline sexist TVD unless you mean it in the sense that by virtue of Christina, Bey and Eryka being female that they cannot effectively pull off the robotic image and have it be taken as sincere by the music buying public. IMO, male artist have it easier because historically they have not been sexually objectified. They have used sex to sell but it has not been a requirement.

When an artist can be looked at as simply an artist and not a piece of meat then it is within their talent and power to put forth any image they so choose and have it be taken seriously. The ladies sabotage themselves by giving in to a male dominated corporate mindset that tells them sex sells in YOUR CASE. Forget your vocal ability, your song-writing capability, what instrument you play or what message you're trying to convey...show us your thighs and you will get paid. Women have to change the game and they have to change how we, the public, view them. This is a long and laborious task that involves changing how women are perceived in all arenas from the music studio to the boardroom.

I'm not saying I don't want women to express their sexuality...I just don't want them to RELY on it to get ahead.

I really like Erykah's album art.

Cinnie said:

You must have saw those stories about "dehumanizing human and humanizing robots" too.

maria1999 said:

Well, sure I saw those.

Cinnie said:

I don't think they are ALL referencing Metropolis either [img:$uid]http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/io9/2009/02/sipa_maria_080415_ssh.jpg[/img:$uid] it just looks a bit same-y to me

metropolis is actually a pretty good film

BigDaddyHQ said:

WaterInYourBath said:

I agree with ya Cinne. Especially since none of these women do anything robotic in/with the albums (like vocal effects or dancing), lol. I like when album covers actually correspond to the music. What's the point of dressing like a robot when nothing about your image is robotic?

Check out Janelle Monae's previous release Metropolis and her new one... The Archandroid. It's all concept and follows a story line. The first Album was originally released on her own indie label, Wonderland Arts Society and rereleased when her label was incorporated into Bad Boy. The first album was suite #1.. the new album just released comprise suites #2 nad #3... all of a planned 4 suite set.. Her project was definitely influenced by Metropolis to the point that 'a' Metropolis is the setting of her story line about a prototype android named Cindy Merriweather which falls in love with a human... something forbidden and she's hunted down because of it. Very inspiring project and not your typical industry recycled fare. The girl has skills. I recall an article before Lotusflow3r (ughhh to the site) came out in which Prince mentions her by name as someone he liked (or something to that extent) As some one mentioned... I believe some artist are following her in this current wave. but the robotic imagery is nothing new over all and you're going to find many artist doing some form of it or other. Just maybe not always in 'pop' music but definately beiing done in several other genres.

I totally agree with you here BigDaddy. Some people on this thread clearly haven't listened to these albums. Janelle Monae is pretty much all I've been listening to the past two weeks. Archandroid is the sh*t. Mixes so many different styles together so cohesively. She's also an amazing vocalist who kind of has a '1940s Broadway' sound to her voice (best way I can describe it). Brings something new to the table. She's not just another 'Mariah wailer' or 'Madonna wannabe'. And let's not forget that The Chase came out in 2007... earlier than most of the others we're talking about here.

But while we're on the topic, I'm surprised no one has mentioned this classic video from way back when:

i think blam honey(ryonai) make the best robot/android music artist

[img:$uid]http://www.jmignited.com/trans/ryonaisama.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/les%20goupes/B/Blam%20Honey/Grandiose%20delusion/Grandiose%20delusion.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w15/neo_virtu/suppurate_s_01.jpg[/img:$uid]

i also think schwarz stein kaya did it well too..

[img:$uid]http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vmZFju6EFiI/0.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://japanesemusicdream.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/cd168.jpg[/img:$uid]

[Edited 6/5/10 18:24pm]