Nollie was incredibly lucky to see the uber-gifted, multi talent that is Janelle Monae on Sunday, at her sold out Shepherds Bush Empire show in West London, while touring her debut album Arch Android.
Absolutely brilliant, there'll be more on Sean 'Diddy' Combs latest protege live later. But for those who've been living under a rock for the last year, find out more about rapidly-becoming-superstar after the jump...
Incredibly intelligent as well as possessing a beautiful and powerful pair of lungs, plus being a genius songwriter, Janelle Monae combines elements of the biggest talents in music - Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince, Aretha Franklin and more - then applies their heritage to her own positive and empowering Afrofuturist gospel.Possibly one of the most underrated and under appreciated artists of 2010 - according to Kanye West no less - the Kansas City born talent's debut album ArchAndroid draws on Sun Ra's science fiction cultural concepts, seeing herself as an android: packaged, marketed and sold to the public.
It sounds heavy, but subtly threads through genre-bending, glorious pop - with elements of jazz, blues, big band, rock, hip hop, indie, classical, ragtime, soul and dance all effortlessly weaved in to her first full length.
(Photo Credit above: KirillWasHere; previous Press office)
High concept and completely accessible, it's not surprising Monae's up for a Grammy.
The 27 year old is also rapidly becoming a style icon, with her monochrome and meticulously fitting, androgynous suits. Clean and classic, her clothes brings focus to her mind and music, not her body - unlike far too many of her peers..
A born entertainer Monae's live show is epic, with full back up band, dancers and stage show - full review of that soon. But, for now, catch these videos of this compelling and utterly inspiring woman....
First single from her debut, Tightrope is an insanely catchy tune featuring Outkast's Big Boi (a serious, but pleasurable leech on the mind) with some Sun Ra nods:
Cold War is also limpet-like with it's huge infectious hooks - while the video showcases Mis Monae's pure talent. No flesh flashing or ridiculous outfits required:
Find out more on jmonae.com and facebook.com/janellemonae