Janelle Monáe Creating the Future of Music
Janelle Monáe is making waves in the music industry for her distinct flavor, style, and storytelling of her otherworldly alter ego/sci-fi mystique. Her latest release is Electric Lady, a concept album with radio skits and a community of artists including collaborations with Erykah Badu, Esperanza Spalding, Miguel, Solange Knowles, and Prince. Monáe credits her parents for allowing her to explore her talents and creativity. "I would not be as courageous as I am right now had it not been for my family support... I grew up with very hard-working parents, check to check, turning nothing into something. In the midst of that, they were still able to find the time to take me to talent showcases. They found the time to just let me explore the arts."
In an interview at Studio Q, Jian Ghomeshi said, "Everything about you. Your music, your performances, and your appearance are imaginative. Is unique and tells a story... Where does that come from...Tell me about what happened growing up that led to this kind of creativity." Monáe responded, "My parents are wizards. When you have parents who are wizards and encourage you to dream and imagine greater... I think that's my world... As I became an adult, I started to surround myself around individuals who had very similar goals... who were very in tune with science fiction. Very in tune with creating. Creating and understanding that being an artist you have a responsibility. [Music] It's a very powerful weapon. Music is my weapon and...I love to encourage people to dream bigger."
Ghomeshi asked how Monáe's parents enabled her creativity. She explained that her parents gave her continuous encouragement and never forced her to take a conventional job. "They knew that I was an artist from the start...I never heard from my parents a discouraging word about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life." When asked about fear Monáe said she learned how to be unafraid to make mistakes because that's when you get to your best work. When asked how the singer was able to be so prolific and ambitious, Monáe stated, "As an artist, you have a vision. Sometimes a lot of people may not see your vision. It's up to you to paint that vision. Not talk about it but just do. And, I think as a result of doing, that's when you realize it can be done. All you have to do is have an idea, plan accordingly, and execute it. If it's not supposed to be done then you'll know- your intuition tells you."
