Have a Perspective. Because If You Don't, Then Somebody Is Going To

’m part android, but I’ve been interviews after I released the songs?” Now it’s, “We’ve seen what digging a lot more into my human project. I leave my experiences in you’ve done with this album and your side these days,” says Janelle my music and my visuals — that’s visuals. We don’t want to get in the Monáe. On her early albums, the therapy for me. I’ve always spoken way of your artistic expression. How singer-songwriter employed an about my experiences with sexuality can we help and organically work alter ego, the sentient robot Cindi in my music: I did on my first album together?” Mayweather, as a stand-in for and Electric Lady, from “Q.U.E.E.N.” herself. But on 2018’s Dirty Computer to “Mushrooms & Roses.” But after Diddy was an early supporter, and I — her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top people saw the Dirty Computer you could have easily been molded R&B Albums chart — the 32-year- visuals [like the “Make Me Feel” into his protégée and whatever old revealed more of Janelle Monáe, video, in which Monáe flirts with image that meant. Did you have to human, than ever before. This year’s a man and a woman], I knew they push to ensure that didn’t happen? TRAILBLAZER is plenty inspiring would start asking more questions. I got to say, I was scared to be simply as herself: a nimble vocalist I wasn’t looking forward to people partnering with a major label after and rapper; a producer and founder of trying to figure out how much of this a few years of being independent. her own label, Wondaland Records; a is my real life. But, for the most part, I met Puff at a time I had decided magnetic actress in Academy Award- I’m happy that people have felt more to live frugally. Like a lot of people, nominated films (Moonlight, Hidden comfortable being who they are as a I thought, “OK, he’s going to have Figures) who’ll next star in a much- result of reading about me walking in a conversation around how he can anticipated Harriet Tubman biopic; my truth. groom me into being another sort and an activist, whether eloquently of artist.” But when I spoke to him, introducing Kesha at the 2018 It seems like creative freedom has his words were, “I love what you and Grammys, speaking at the Women’s always been your top priority. Wondaland are doing. I don’t want March in 2017 or advocating for Even when I was an independent to be creatively involved. I just want LGBTQ inclusion and, in April, coming artist selling CDs out of my trunk people to know who you are and out as pansexual. Dirty Computer, she and working for my cousin doing what you guys are doing. You guys says, “gave us all a home that said, taxes or at Office Depot and Sam’s are down here in this basement in ‘Despite what the world says about Club, I was still saying no. There were Atlanta, and the rest of the world you, you matter. I see you, I hear you, opportunities that even some of my deserves to hear you.” It was so and I celebrate you.’ ” Dirty Computer feels grounded in “ Have a perspective. Because current reality, and therefore more personal. Was that your intention? if you don’t, then somebody I started writing it during the Obama era. After November 2016, I had is going to have it for you.” to process where our country was going. I felt a big responsibility closest family members and friends humbling and beautiful. We’re still to create a community with this would look at me like, “Girl, you are close. In fact, I just saw him at a album, my concerts and my film crazy. You need to get in that music Halloween party. [the “emotion picture” paired with video. Be an extra in this film. You the album]. It felt like people I care need to become famous.” But I have Speaking of Halloween — I must about and groups I’m in — from the always kept at my core the ability to know all about your amazing Willy LGBT community to being a black have creative control. Wonka costume. woman to being from working-class Oh, my goodness. I was obsessed parents — were being pushed to the It’s one thing to commit to never with [Gene Wilder]. I cried when margins of society. With songs like compromising; it’s another to he passed on. I remember lighting “Django Jane” and “Make Me Feel” follow through. The music industry up whenever I would watch Willy and “PYNK,” I wanted to be as bold can have a narrow idea of what a Wonka. That was the world I wanted as possible in making statements female artist can be. How were you to live and be in. I have a saying at around agency, around women’s able to establish, and maintain, Wondaland: “Imagination inspires bodies and rights — us taking back control of your career? nations.” I don’t think I could’ve done the mic and letting you know that It starts with you knowing your vision any of my music without surrendering you don’t own us and we won’t be first. Have a perspective. Because if to my imagination in a world full of controlled. you don’t, then somebody is going cynics. Last year, I was the Joker, to have it for you. I’m happy that and I was trying to figure out an What did it feel like when your own now when I take meetings, I feel like outfit to top that. I get so excited story — particularly your sexuality people understand my vision and about Halloween, but I didn’t even and relationships — became part of perspective as an artist. It used to get my outfit until the day of. But the conversation around this album? be, “Well, can you change your hair things come together when they’re It was very scary for me to do or your look or do these types of supposed to happen. —DEE LOCKETT 74 BILLBOARD | DECEMBER 8, 2018 ON-SET STYLING BY CARA GORDON. HAIR BY NIKKI NELMS AT IMAQ BEAUTY. MAKEUP BY JESSICA SMALLS AT THE WALL GROUP. MANICURE BY SREYNIN PENG..

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