I thought this article deserves it's own thread for Janelle Monae fans, although posted on another forum.

http://www.etonline.com/n.../06/88681/

Prince Pick Janelle Monae

Covers The King of Pop Too

Copyright 2010 Fredrick Brown / Getty Images

By Carolyn Richardson

In seven days, 25-year-old Janelle Monae, a rock & soul princess, has risen from seeming obscurity to taking on The King of Pop's rumored favorite song "Smile" and Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" -- two colossal songs that helped define their respective eras. With her electrifying performances of each, her talent ensures she won't be letting the elevator bring her down anytime soon.

The first song, Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," was featured on Billboard's Mashup Mondays last week with an intimate live performance of the song, with Monae's sultry voice only accompanied by soulful electric guitar. While many first learned of her unique style and James Brown-esque dance moves during her "Let's Go Crazy" tribute to Prince at last night's BET Awards, she has already amassed accolades for her own music.

Her first album release, Metropolis: The Chase Suite, included "Many Moons," which garnered a Grammy nod in 2009. She's even touched "American Idol," as the 2009 finale featured "Open Happiness," an inspirational song co-written by Monae. With the momentum that she continues to gain, a Grammy win may be in order with last month's release of her second album, The ArchAndroid, with its lead single "Tightrope" carrying a dance that is as entertaining and infectious as Michael Jackson's Moonwalk. A master in the studio and on stage, the singer/songwriter has shared the same stage as mega stars No Doubt, Erykah Badu, Lupe Fiasco and is currently on tour with Of Montreal. She's also firing up the tube, having appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "The Mo'Nique Show."

Hers was a busy weekend. On Friday, she received the Vanguard Award at the 23rd Annual ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards, which recognizes songwriters whose impact of musical genres helps shape the future of American music. Prince was a surprise guest at the ceremony in support of Monae, and she acknowledges he has inspired her. During her acceptance speech, she shared that her trademark tuxedo is worn in homage to her parents who were low-wage workers who worked in sanitation. She calls herself a "supporter of imagination who takes risks so that others can take risks." Having roots stemming from a childhood in Kansas City, Kansas, an arts education in New York City, and stardom that began in Atlanta, Georgia, Monae is more than well-traveled.

Something tells me, however, with the buzz she is continuing to get, she'll be traveling much more often in her future to share her ArchAndroid tunes with the world. Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks so. She's been featured in Vogue and will appear in InStyle's July 2010 issue. Yesterday, Monae was the No. 1 worldwide trending topic on Twitter!

I LOL at a master in the studio comment.

She needs a writer fast, so she can cap on this media hype

Good for her!!! I gotta meet this girl quick before she blows up big time! and it'll be 10 times harder!

P2daP said:

Good for her!!! I gotta meet this girl quick before she blows up big time! and it'll be 10 times harder!

Trust me, she's so genuine in person, and I was lucky to have met her last week.

I hate revisionist history. Smile was not a defining moment for MJ's career. Well, till after his death.

I want this girl to be bigger than Gaga...

loquaciousthe3rd said:

I want this girl to be bigger than Gaga...

Same. I don't think we've had one of those in while.

I think she is overrated. A good dancer but her voice annoys me. I don't like how she never names mj as an influence even if she names james brown. She's a fucking liar.

alphastreet said:

I think she is overrated. A good dancer but her voice annoys me. I don't like how she never names mj as an influence even if she names james brown. She's a fucking liar.

Dude, why does that even bother you? If MJ isn't an influence to her, then he isn't.

alphastreet said:

I think she is overrated. A good dancer but her voice annoys me. I don't like how she never names mj as an influence even if she names james brown. She's a fucking liar.

Oh my God. People give Michael Jackson WAY more credit than he's fucking worth.

ScarletScandal said:

alphastreet said:

I think she is overrated. A good dancer but her voice annoys me. I don't like how she never names mj as an influence even if she names james brown. She's a fucking liar.

Oh my God. People give Michael Jackson WAY more credit than he's fucking worth.

I like MJ and all but some people need to stop acting like everyone needs to love him.

NastradumasKid said:

ScarletScandal said:

Oh my God. People give Michael Jackson WAY more credit than he's fucking worth.

I like MJ and all but some people need to stop acting like everyone needs to love him.

Man, I know!! I don't even think MJ is all that. He's had the same damn boring ass songs in rotation for 20+ years, come on now.

But back To Janelle...I LOVE her.

Fuck MJ.

ScarletScandal said:

NastradumasKid said:

I like MJ and all but some people need to stop acting like everyone needs to love him.

Man, I know!! I don't even think MJ is all that. He's had the same damn boring ass songs in rotation for 20+ years, come on now.

But back To Janelle...I LOVE her.

Fuck MJ.

NastradumasKid said:

ScarletScandal said:

Man, I know!! I don't even think MJ is all that. He's had the same damn boring ass songs in rotation for 20+ years, come on now.

But back To Janelle...I LOVE her.

Fuck MJ.

Yeah I said it. Nobody else will on here.

loquaciousthe3rd said:

I want this girl to be bigger than Gaga...

She NEEDS to be bigger than Gaga....

alphastreet said:

I think she is overrated. A good dancer but her voice annoys me. I don't like how she never names mj as an influence even if she names james brown. She's a fucking liar.

Ohh Lawrd...........

ScarletScandal said:

alphastreet said:

I think she is overrated. A good dancer but her voice annoys me. I don't like how she never names mj as an influence even if she names james brown. She's a fucking liar.

Oh my God. People give Michael Jackson WAY more credit than he's fucking worth.

Even tho Janelle Monae doesn't have to list MJ as an infulence , Mj deserves ALL the credits he getting and he deserves even more.......

ScarletScandal said:

NastradumasKid said:

I like MJ and all but some people need to stop acting like everyone needs to love him.

Man, I know!! I don't even think MJ is all that. He's had the same damn boring ass songs in rotation for 20+ years, come on now.

But back To Janelle...I LOVE her.

Fuck MJ.

Have some respect for the dead at least....

I don't like how every thread on here becomes an MJ discussion.

I respect your point of view, but damn what happened to respect for the dead?

Whatever. Lets keep the focus on Janelle.

missfee said:

loquaciousthe3rd said:

I want this girl to be bigger than Gaga...

She NEEDS to be bigger than Gaga....

That would be nice, but unless she's going to be controversial and half naked most of the time, she might not reach Gaga level. Hopefully she'll have a long career.

NastradumasKid said:

alphastreet said:

I think she is overrated. A good dancer but her voice annoys me. I don't like how she never names mj as an influence even if she names james brown. She's a fucking liar.

Dude, why does that even bother you? If MJ isn't an influence to her, then he isn't.

Bottom line is she is paying homage to one of the originators, who was James Brown. That's all that matters.

If you're a Janelle Monet fan and you happen to be in the Bay area on July 25th, she will be one of the headliners of the All Shook Down Music Festival in SF. Details as follows:

"SF Weekly is proud to present All Shook Down, a showcase of eclectic local, national, and international music in the heart of San Francisco's historic North Beach neighborhood. Featuring live music from more than 30 artists on an outdoor stage and in the unique intimate venues on Grant & Green streets. With production support provided by North Beach Jazz Fest veterans Sunset Promotions. Headlining the event will be internationally acclaimed pop artist NEON INDIAN and future-soul diva JANELLE MONAE. All Shook Down will also unveil the nominees for the 2010 SF Weekly Music Awards, and attendees will be able to submit their votes on-site. Many of the nominees will be performing at the festival. Among the confirmed local artists are THE JAZZ MAFIA ALLSTARS, FORREST DAY, THE PARK, A.B & THE SEA, GRASS WIDOW, BOCA do RIO, THE OAKLAND FADERS (feat ZEPH, PLATURN & ENKI), JOE BAGALE, THE FEROCIOUS FEW, TINY TELEVISION, THE BARSS MAFIA, ODESSA CHEN, BARE WIRES, BIRDS & BATTERIES, and the AFROLICIOUS DJs and more TBA.

All Shook Down will also feature more than 40 food, art, and merchandise vendors. The daytime portion of the event will run from Noon till 7pm, with local venues running music into the evening. Among the participating venues are some of North Beach's most historic intimate nightspots: Amante, Grant & Green, Maggy McGarry's, Mojito, Royale, and Savoy Tivoli with several more to be announced.

All of these venues will be accessible for a single-price ticket available for only $8 in advance. VIP packages will be unveiled shortly at a cost of $40. Stay tuned for more info here, at sfweekly.com, and sunsetpromotions.com"

www.sunsettickets.com/.../ALL-SHOOK-DOWN-MUSIC-FESTIVAL

http://prince.org/msg/7/339120

Nobody has answered yet.

alphastreet said:

I think she is overrated. A good dancer but her voice annoys me. I don't like how she never names mj as an influence even if she names james brown. She's a fucking liar.

She never names Prince either, which is even more puzzling. All she ever says is James Brown, Judy Garland, and Shirley Bassey. She's just like some others: Will name artists from the 30s-60s who "inspire" them instead of the artists they impersonate from the 70s-90s. Beyonce has done this. So have Timberlake and Usher. I don't get it, but I give her credit for trying to be innovative.

ScarletScandal said:

alphastreet said:

I think she is overrated. A good dancer but her voice annoys me. I don't like how she never names mj as an influence even if she names james brown. She's a fucking liar.

Oh my God. People give Michael Jackson WAY more credit than he's fucking worth.

OM fucking G! Is that Tae Yang in your avatar?

Layzie said:

ScarletScandal said:

Oh my God. People give Michael Jackson WAY more credit than he's fucking worth.

OM fucking G! Is that Tae Yang in your avatar?

It sure is. A lot of people think it's Boy George.

seeingvoices12 said:

ScarletScandal said:

Man, I know!! I don't even think MJ is all that. He's had the same damn boring ass songs in rotation for 20+ years, come on now.

But back To Janelle...I LOVE her.

Fuck MJ.

Have some respect for the dead at least....

Shit, I WOULD if people would let him BE dead.

seeingvoices12 said:

ScarletScandal said:

Oh my God. People give Michael Jackson WAY more credit than he's fucking worth.

Even tho Janelle Monae doesn't have to list MJ as an infulence , Mj deserves ALL the credits he getting and he deserves even more.......

I'm gonna say this once, because I don't think it's been said on here before,

MICHAEL JACKSON IS NOT, NOR WILL HE EVER BE GOD, JESUS, OR BUDDHA. GET OFF HIS DICK.

Didn't like her performance Sunday night, hopefully she improves. Love her album though

NastradumasKid said:

alphastreet said:

I think she is overrated. A good dancer but her voice annoys me. I don't like how she never names mj as an influence even if she names james brown. She's a fucking liar.

Dude, why does that even bother you? If MJ isn't an influence to her, then he isn't.

Did you forget? MJ influenced everyone! Even Mozart!

ScarletScandal said:

Layzie said:

OM fucking G! Is that Tae Yang in your avatar?

It sure is. A lot of people think it's Boy George.

Girl, I'm so IN LOVE with that man (and Kpop) it's fucking crazy. Are you gonna try to get his new album that's coming out?