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Ever since Janelle Monae came on the scene tipping tightly on her tightrope, we haven’t seen as much as a clavicle from the songstress. Her uniform routinely consists of black, white and some for of a tuxedo separates, but don’t think it’s because she’s a tomboy by nature, it was a choice that she made upon entering the music business. 

PHOTOS: Janelle Monae Tap Dances Her Way To The Cover Of ELLE Canada

The soulful songstress is the cover girl for the May issue of Essence Magazine, and she is opening up about her image and what comes with maintaining it, and like Justin Bieber, drops a reference to Jay-Z in the process. 

PHOTOS: MTV Movie Awards 2012 Red Carpet: Janelle Monae Proves Suits Aren’t Just For Boys

Check out some excerpts from the interview below.

On her clothing selection: 

“I made a decision to be unique” as she reveals the origin of her iconic black-and-while ensembles and why her fans won’t ever see her using sex appeal to sell records. “People don’t ask Jay-Z to take his shirt off when he rhymes.”

On her decision to remain covered up:

“[I wanted to] redefine what it means to be sexy and what it means to be a woman. Showing my skin is not what makes me sexy. like skirts and dresses just like everyone else, but I had a message I needed to put out there. It was up to me to show people and young girls there was another way.”

Janelle is proof that you can sell talent, and not sex and win Grammys while doing it! 

Be sure to head over to Essence for more. 

SOURCE: Essence