From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of success, Janelle Monáe’s journey is a mesmerising odyssey, a testament to her unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities within the arts and beyond.
Who doesn’t love a rebel, or should I say, “free thinker”? They stand out in society because they’re ever-changing, aren’t afraid to stick their necks out for something they believe in, and are willing to poke the bear with unpopular truths.
It is in this fashion that artist, icon and author Janelle Monáe (pronouns “she/they”) has made a name for herself.
The 10-time Grammy-nominated singer and multi award-winning actress has shared her feelings and experimental ideas through many thought-provoking albums, such as The Age of Pleasure (2023) – not to mention her evocative on-screen performances in acclaimed films such as Hidden Figures and Moonlight (2016) and, more recently, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022).
Her ability to take on any theme, any character and leave a lasting impression on audiences worldwide is a testament to her ability to metamorphose – both musically and aesthetically. Janelle is a true artist, a visionary who is constantly evolving, transforming and challenging the norm.
Paving her own path
Now, you might wonder where she gets her guts and drive from in the first place. The talented artist grew up in Quindaro, in Kansas City, a community historically established by Native Americans and abolitionists that grew to be a safe haven for African Americans.
She’s no stranger to struggle: her parents split up when she was a young girl, due to her father’s drug addiction, and money was scarce. Fortunately, she remained surrounded by her loving grandmothers, aunts and cousins.
“I come from a very hard-working working-class family who make nothing into something,” she says. “I saw my parents living cheque to cheque, putting on their uniforms every day, working hard.
I did see them make mistakes and they were very open about how important education was […] They always encouraged us to just be better than them […] Without your community, without your family, you couldn’t survive,” Janelle says.
As a youngster, she performed in many talent shows and stage productions, eventually being awarded a scholarship to study musical theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.
However, she ended up dropping out because she felt restricted. “I wanted to write my own musicals. I didn’t want to have to live vicariously through a character that had been played thousands of times — in a line with everybody wanting to play the same person,” she says.
Ever since – whether through performing or dressing to distinguish herself – Janelle has been a chameleon, forever changing direction and exploring new avenues, never settling for comfort or complacency.
Art that inspires change
Janelle’s musical career has unfolded as a tapestry woven with eclectic sounds – from the genre-blending Metropolis series (2007–) to the funk-infused Dirty Computer (2018). Her ability to seamlessly traverse musical genres while maintaining a distinct sonic identity has earned her not only critical acclaim but a dedicated fan base eagerly anticipating each new sonic experiment.
“When I got into the music industry, I wasn’t focused on being the most famous artist or even getting a major record deal. It was just to make music on my own terms or create my own image, do my own hair, do my own make-up,” she explains.
“Music is an art form that I love dearly, and it’s allowed me to bring so many people together and meet so many people. I’m a storyteller who wants to tell untold, meaningful, universal stories in unforgettable ways. I want to do it all, study it all and find my place in it.”
As passionate as she feels about singing, acting has always been a dream of hers, as she wishes to represent her people. A queer black woman, she is a new breed of entertainer, instilling messages of solidarity, freedom and equality in her projects.
“I always think about the next generation and creating a different blueprint for them. That’s my goal: to let them know there’s another way,” she says. “I love making radical art that pushes a culture forward, that says something different and cuts through. I ask myself, ‘Who do I want to celebrate?’, ‘Who am I okay with pissing off?’ and ‘Who do I want to be included in this process, what kind of community?’”
Mother android emerges
Janelle is known for experimenting with all sorts of symbolism and gender-bending style choices, creating a language of her own. With albums such as The Arch Android (2010) and Dirty Computer (2018), and her book, The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer (2022), her fascination with technology becomes evident – she even has a cyborg alter ego, Cindi Mayweather, who is a representation of the “other”.
As an artist with a love for Afrofuturism, Janelle seamlessly integrates sci-fi and futuristic elements into her work, sharing profound insights on the intersection of humanity and technology. Her reflections on artificial intelligence and its impact on society invite contemplation, urging us to consider the ethical implications of our technological trajectory and the continuing need for vulnerable human connection.
“I speak about androids because I think the android represents the new ‘other’,” she said in a recent interview. “People are afraid of the other and I believe we’re going to live in a world with androids because of technology and the way it advances.”
“I’m an android, so I’m half human, half computer. That’s literally how I feel in my body.” The metaphor of otherness is how the artist expresses her non-binary identity, black pride and liberation from conformist societal “programming”.
“I feel myself becoming the fearless person I have dreamt of being. Have I arrived? No. But I’m constantly evolving and challenging myself to be unafraid to make mistakes,” she asserts.
“Nothing about me speaks to binary. I don’t think I had the words to express it before… I listened to my spirit and my spirit was screaming, ‘You are a free-ass mothaf**ka!’ The more I am free in my thinking and living outside of the binary, I’m on a constant discovery of who I can be. I can hold space for a lot of different things at the same time. I just felt like I wanted to free up my mind,” she continues.
“I want young girls, young boys, non-binary, gay, straight, queer people who are having a hard time dealing with their sexuality, dealing with feeling ostracised or bullied just for being their unique selves, to know that I see them.”
Making a statement
Janelle is not just an artist or style icon; she’s a catalyst for change. As an outspoken advocate for equality and empowerment, she uses her platform to address societal issues, championing the importance of womanhood, representation and inclusivity in the entertainment industry and beyond.
“I’m not a politician. I’m an artist. I’m an American and I care about this country. So, I think I can critique certain things that I feel might be cancerous to the United States. Especially when the rights of those I love who come from my community are being trampled on, I feel a responsibility to use my platform to say something.
These days, I’m more about partnering with people who are doing the work on the ground, trying to get folks registered to vote, helping lower-income folks, and lobbying for women’s reproductive rights, protection for LGBTQIA+ communities, and racial justice. These are the issues I care about,” she says.
Janelle has worked closely with organisations such as the Foundation for AIDS Research, Autism Speaks and Keep A Child Alive. She also heads a food programme named WondaLunch (part of her wider Wondaland Arts Society), helping to feed vulnerable people.
Her non-profit, Fem The Future, is also contributing to fostering a female-driven world through creating opportunities for young women and girls in music, the arts, and education. “In partnership with the Social Justice Fund (SJF), we’re giving girls the chance to own their power – and change the world,” she explains.
“The SJF grant will support Fem the Future as it develops programming for girls and non-binary youth and shines light on their talent – helping them build confidence, expand educational opportunities, and make informed decisions about their bodies, their lives and their futures. A beautiful future begins with uplifting the next generation of artists, activists and freedom fighters,” she told Vibe.
I believe it’s time that women truly owned their superpowers and use their beauty and strength to change the world around them.” Janelle Monáe has led a transformative journey, defining and redefining herself as she blurs genres and consistently breaks the mould.
Beyond her accolades, her ability to embody the essence of change – both in her art and advocacy – serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists and a beacon for a more inclusive and innovative future.
Best Said By Janelle On
Personal Growth: “It’s a big universe. To stay in one tiny place is doing a disservice to yourself.”
On Service & Selflessness: “You are only as beautiful as the many beautiful things you do for others without expectation.”
On Haters: “You shouldn’t care what anybody has to say. You just care what the right people have to say and everything else is muted.”
Words by: Charndré Emma Kippie
Photography: Gallo/ Getty images
