“We are great friends, and he is a mentor to us, to me,” says Janelle Monáe in the new issue of Billboard when discussing the oh-so extraordinary Prince. The icon is set to make an appearance in some capacity on Monáe’s new album, Electric Lady, which according to the magazine, will turn the pompadour-toting, black-and-white wearing singer “from iconoclast into icon.” In her interview, Monáe says that the Purple One is a good friend who is invested in her career, which is why he decided to do a collaboration with her — a rarity for Prince:

“It’s a beautiful thing to have a friend — someone who cares about your career, and wants to see you go far and to push boundaries and shake up the world — give whatever they possibly can to the cause.

I had a chance to produce an icon. It’s not every day that he collaborates. I’m honored and humbled that he trusted me. He is forever my friend, and I am forever indebted. I can’t say too much else about it.”

The album is set to debut in September, and we’re very excited about it. And not just because Prince is making his presence known on it, not just because we’re huge fans of The ArchAndroid, and not even just because “Fatbellybella” Erykah Badu has already made an appearance, but also because she’s working with another talented pompadour wearing individual — Miguel. The two will team up for a sultry jam called “Primetime.” All in all, with her new album, Monáe has an even deeper message to push to the masses:

“There are two different types of people: Some people come into this world to judge, some people come into this world to jam. Which one are you? It’s a question we should all ask ourselves. 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.”

To check out Monáe’s cover story in Billboard, be sure to pick it up on newsstands this week, and stay tuned for that new album in September. We’ll be sure to pick it up when it drops!

Janelle Monae (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen, file)

It’s 2013, and with some Grammy nods under her belt, a chart-topping song w/the band Fun., a contract with CoverGirl, and a slamming new single, “Q.U.E.E.N,” Janelle Monáe is a glow in the middle of a music industry dim with pre-packaged clones.

I was especially grateful for the new single after seeing much of 2013’s first quarter music attention go to self-indulgent tunes. “Q.U.E.E.N” an electrifying women’s empowerment anthem, asks the tough questions about women’s rights and our ability to simply be who we are – no questions asked. The beat is sick. Monáe’s rap is beyond dope. And the video reintroduces her with a new edge but the same black and white baseline of authenticity.  With humility that is severely lacking and heartfelt commitment to honoring those who paved the way, Monáe almost seems too good to be true.

I was immediately taken with Janelle Monáe back in 2009 when I watched her perform her thought-provoking single, “Sincerely, Jane” on NPR. Her black and white ‘uniform’ as she calls it stood out amidst an entertainment industry that begs skin and stilettos to move units and grow fame. Her lyrics weren’t the same old narcissistic drivel we were used to. No, there was depth to this young lady and I dug it.

I thought: How is she doing this? How is her star consistently rising without a racy video? Without suggestive lyrics? Without being romantically linked to another star?

Simply put: Her gift makes room for her. Watching her rise on the music scene, you can’t help but to respect her even if you don’t necessarily vibe with her genre of music. Looking at the body of work, the poise, the performance, the image, the lyrics –  you see someone who decided a long time ago not to yield to the ‘packaging’ of the industry. Instead, Monáe decided to fold her heritage and eclectic style into her music. With musical talent in spades to boot, she’s done a great job of branding herself.

At the most visible layer, we see a young woman who isn’t conforming to standards of how a female artist should behave or be ‘packaged’ in order to be a star. But the story beneath her black and white attire and thought-provoking lyrics is steeped in a background that many of us know firsthand.

Accepting her award at the 2012 Black Girls Rock! Celebration, Monáe recounted her days as a maid when she took her first steps toward becoming a music artist. She also held a spotlight on her mother, stepfather and biological father for their pride in their working-class roles as janitors, garbage men and mailmen in the poorest county in Kansas City, Kansas. Understanding, accepting and appreciating the legacy of pride in what most consider menial occupations, Monáe was compelled to do the unconventional for a music sensation – wear a uniform. And it absolutely makes sense. It’s honest and compelling in a way that invites us to remember our own heritage. No matter where she goes, who she meets, how long she performs, what awards she is given – she can look at herself, look inward, and be reminded of who she is at her core and the values she learned from a working-class background.

Another thing to love about Janelle Monáe is that she is the definition of a beautiful woman of color. She has reminded us of what it actually means to be beautiful. Having become the newest addition to a long list of gorgeous CoverGirls, Monae’s face is hard to look away from. How revelatory is that? It’s not her curves we’re staring at. We’re breathless at her beautiful face and her warm personality. We’re focused on her lyrics and how deeply we can identify with them. We’re thrilled by the exhilarating performance she gives whenever she graces a stage. We notice and are enthralled with Janelle Monáe because of who she is, not her cup size or how racy her videos are. She is beautiful because she chooses not to be packaged for male gratification. There is nothing about her that is suggestive or lewd in an attempt to sell records. She’s simply open, honest, creative and ripe with multiple layers of talent.

A true musical role model our babies can emulate like this little Q.U.E.E.N:

And then, this one:

And this one:

Peace to Janelle Monáe for being a colorful example of ALL the possibilities.

La Truly seeks to encourage thought, discussion and change among young women through her writing. Follow her on Twitter: @AshleyLaTruly and AboutMe www.about.me/latruly.

Photos courtesy of via iheartthreadbared.wordpress.com, Pinterest and via ecobeautybytes.com.

Man, the game has been missing Chrisette Michele! After dropping her last album, Let Freedom Reign, in 2010, the singer disappeared out of the music scene for a while. But just a few months ago, she returned with a new look and an even stronger sound, dropping new music for her album Better, being released on June 11. We sat with the gorgeous singer to talk about everything from her hair, to being a bad girlfriend in the past, an addiction to food, why she has love for Beyoncé’s vocal abilities, who she would love to work with and her new music. We’re oh so glad that she’s back. How about you?

If there’s anything we can learn from the established careers and music of singers like Janelle Monáe and Erykah Badu, it’s this: The booty don’t lie.

Well, that’s what I took from their epic collaboration called “Q.U.E.E.N.” (that and a whole lot more of course), which we told you about last week. But just as quick as the song dropped, the video just debuted on 106 & Park while you were finishing up work. The video, which is directed by Alan Ferguson (Solange’s boo) shows Monáe and Badu as legendary rebels who have been frozen in time in a museum to keep them from opening minds and changing what is considered the “norm.” Some young women come in with their single on wax, and they finally come alive. From there, there’s no stopping Monáe, as she busts a move and some quick steps in stilettos with her funky pompadour, but also in a checkered dress with a short wig. Eventually, Badu comes in the picture calling herself Badula Oblongata with a huge afro wig and her poodle, stealing the show (of course).

I was glued to every minute of this very creative video, probably because I’m a thirst for both of these ladies and their music. But I definitely think it’s just the sound the industry needs to mix things up for a change. Check out the video for yourself (because Monáe never disappoints) and let us know if it’s a pass or a play for you.

As a reminder, Monáe’s new album, The Electric Lady, will be released some time later this year. But in the meantime, make sure you get reacquainted with her 2010 album, The ArchAndroid. It’s one of those albums that’s hard to put in a box and stays on repeat. Enjoy!

Funk-naaasty alert!

Why not start the morning off with a funky bass line and two of music’s most innovative players? The very creative Janelle Monáe enlists the help of one of the first ladies of neo-soul music, Erykah Badu, to question everything from what is constituted as “normal” (“Am I a freak for dancing around”), to combating negativity (“I’m coming up, don’t cut me down”) and even rising up against greed in both everyday life and in the industry on “Q.U.E.E.N.” The track will be featured on her upcoming album, The Electric Lady (I even love the title). They do this with the help of some synthesizers, hot guitars, that funky bass line I talked about earlier, and some sick string arrangements near the end that I adore. When talking about the inspiration behind the track, Monáe had this to say to Billboard:

“This song is inspired by private conversations she and I have had and continue to have.She’s a great friend to me; she’s like a big sister and it’s a song about private dialogue that she and I have had.”

Well the end result is hot! Two of our absolute favorites in the game teaming up to share some positivity with all. They better do it!

Check out the track below and let us know what you think!

Is hell freezing over!?

Just kidding. It’s not. But NecoleBitchie.com unearthed this picture of the very beautiful Janelle Monáe and a friend stepping out for an evening on the town, and we see that she ditched the tuxedo uniform we’ve grown to love for a waist-hugging little black dress and heels. And no pompadour! Just a middle parted ponytail and a bright pink pout. We know Monáe always looks great no matter what she wears, but this look is definitely a winner for the small songstress. Of course, Monáe has made it clear that she’s not trying to show off her body as an artist, because that’s nothing but a distraction to one’s true talent. After hours though…fair game. As she told Essence:

“People don’t ask Jay-Z to take his shirt off when he rhymes…I 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.”

If you’ve passed newsstands recently, chances are you’ve seen Essence‘s May 2013 cover featuring stunning, 27-year-old soul singer, Janelle Monáe. The Kansas City native recently joined the publication and some of fashion’s elite, including Iman, Bethann Hardison and June Ambrose at the Mondrian Soho in New York City for a celebratory dinner in honor of the 2013 cover, Necole Bitchie reports. During the dinner, Janelle delivered a a touching speech where discussed cherishing each day, her humble upbringing and what an honor it was to be chosen by Essence for their May cover. An excerpt from her speech reads:

“There are lots of beautiful young women of color out there who would have been just as gorgeous or even more gorgeous on this cover. And for you guys to see something in me, for my story to connect in a way that you’ve allowed me to have this platform to tell my story to your readers, it’s just something I won’t take for granted. I want to continue to do what’s right, and by what’s right is continuing to lead by example.

We don’t know [she cries and pauses] when we’ll exit. And I try to always keep that in mind when I’m given a day. It’s a conscious decision to make. Sometimes, you can take for granted your days. I didn’t have to have this life or answer to the calling that I just feel in my heart. I love making music but at the same time, I understand the importance of having a message and having something that you’re bringing awareness to, something that other people coming up can be inspired by, something that can guide their lives, something that I can do to open up doors for young girls.

I’m from Kansas and I grew up in a hard-working class family. My mother’s last occupation was a janitor, my father delivered trash and my step father worked at the post office. So whenever I’m given these opportunities, I always keep that with me. I thank God for giving me that life because it just keeps me anchored and I’m able to have as much compassion as I possibly can. [...] I look forward to continuing to partner and do things that can encourage our young girls to be comfortable in their own skin, to know they don’t have to sacrifice or…they don’t even have to be like Janelle Monae to be on the cover of Essence.”

Beautiful!

Another month, another fresh face on the cover of Essence! They’re really stepping their subjects up and still keeping them positive and powerful. Plus, the ladies have been dressed to the nines, and Monáe is doing it up in her Yves Saint Laurent blouse, Chanel earrings and crimped pompadour.

The magazine sat down with Monáe to talk about her new music, including the album Electric Lady, which she’s prepping for a summer release, trying to build a relationship late in life with her father, a run-in with the law, and her style, which everybody is always talking about because it’s so different, but never really changes. When asked why she won’t change it up and show off a little skin, she makes it clear that if powerful men don’t have to show skin to be successful, why should she have to do so to have an impact?

“People don’t ask Jay-Z to take his shirt off when he rhymes…I 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.”

True that! If you want to check out her full interview with the magazine and what we’re sure will be some more breathtaking images of the star, you’ll have to pick up the new issue, dropping April 5.

Are you digging the new cover with Janelle Monáe?

March is women’s month, and because it follows on the heels of Black History Month, there’s no better time to talk about a topic that is very important to Black Women — hair care. Here are our top eleven moments in Black Hair care History.

Biography.com

Self-Styled Entrepreneur Madam CJ Walker Makes Her Mark With Black Hair Care Products (1905)

Combining both beauty sensibility and business savvy, Madam CJ Walker (née Sarah Breedlove) built a wildly successful hair empire, around, among other things, the innovation of the pressing comb, which made it more user-friendly for Afro-textured hair (she had the teeth widened for her target market). Ambitious, driven, and dedicated to her company, Madam CJ Walker became the first female self-made millionaire in the United States.

Ignorance is still very much alive — contrary to the evolving times. Even when we thought dark skin was in, the memo must have only been about the brothas because sistas have still been getting the most cringe-worthy compliment ever to be spoken: “Wow! Yo’ure pretty for a Black girl!” Whaaat?!

As a brown-skinned sista, let me speak for every other dark girl out there when I say, I thought pretty was determined upon your features and the way you carried yourself, not by the shade of your skin. A woman is never “pretty for a black girl,” she’s beautiful because that’s simply what she is inside and out, and these Hollywood starlets prove just that. Here are our favorite beautiful black sistas whose strikingly gorgeous looks leaves this not so complimenting compliment in the dust:

Wenn

Meagan Good

From the moment we got a glimpse of her in Eve’s Bayou, her acting skills and raw good looks took our breath away. From there she would woo audiences in her roles from ‘You Got Served’ to ’Stomp the Yard’  growing into not only gorgeous woman, but also one of virtue as we’ve seen from her relationship with new hubby Devon Franklin.