We’ve got a new Wonderwoman America, in the form of Billboard’s current covergirl Janelle Monae.
At a young age, Monae, Kansas City native, musician and fashion muse, was exposed to the funk and blues sounds of James Brown from her father’s side of the family – hence where she may have gotten her signature black and white tuxedo look from.
“I’ve always had this thought of owning my own label, of being in charge of my words, my art, everything you hear. My goal wasn’t to be the most famous person overnight — it was to make music on my own terms, develop myself and understand if my words were necessary to young people like myself and to make my family proud.”
And she’s certainly made her family proud with her Grammy-nominated first studio album The ArchAndroid. This September, Janelle will unleash The Electric Lady, featuring the newly released single, “Q.U.E.E.N.” with Erykah Badu.
“My job is to create art that starts a dialogue, to create songs and lyrics that ask society these questions, by using myself as a sacrificial lamb,” she says.
For the full story, buy this week’s issue of Billboard.
SOURCE: Billboard.com
