Renaissance Woman: Janelle Monáe
By R Life, posted Oct 5th 2011 at 6:00PM
Janelle Monáe lights up a stage like no one else in pop music. The Atlanta native played to a packed audience on September 15th to celebrate the grand opening of the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel. This special performance was part of the RLife LIVE concert series that features artists—Robin Thick, Robyn, and Bruno Mars—playing unforgettable live performances at Renaissance Hotels for guests and local fans alike.
“I am honored to be part of the RLife LIVE program. A lot of my friends have done it. I think it’s very unique and really, really cool to be a part of,” Janelle told CBS Atlanta.
Janelle was clearly elated to be back in her hometown of Atlanta, where she developed her unique sound by playing shows and discovering new music at Criminal Records—located in Little Five Points, Atlanta’s alternative culture district. She described to us how performing her 60s-pop-and-jazz-meets-German-expressionist cabaret is a transformative experience for her as soon as she hits the stage: “A spiritual anointment has happened, and I go into a whole other dimension,” she said.
The Grammy-nominee kept the dap audience at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel dancing. She played hits off her 2010 debut studio album, The ArchAndroid—an epic cinematic rockfest produced at Atlanta’s Wonderland studios. She sang “Tightrope,” which she collaborated on with fellow Atlanta native Big Boi, and she sang her version of the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” Partygoers were treated to sophisticated southern cuisine by Briza, and after the show sipped drinks around the glowing fire pits of the hotel’s rooftop bar, 866. A DJ spun for those lounging in the luxury of the modern-style lobby.
Janelle clearly identifies with the Renaissance message. “I am a renaissance woman. I am here on this earth to do something great and be of service to other people. I believe that’s my purpose,” she told CBS Atlanta.
That purpose includes creating opportunities for the next generation of artists, she says, and setting an example to young women to own their own businesses. That’s why she recently opened her own record label, Wondaland Arts Society, to ensure creative control over her music and to help establish up and coming artists.
After touring with Katy Perry and Bruno Mars, Janelle will be headlining for the first time with the Campus Consciousness Tour. Partners Oxfam America and Fair Trade Universities will provide presentations to students before shows on how to make healthy food choices that benefit the environment.
What’s next for Janelle? A clothing line, perhaps, from this fashion icon?
“I’m working on my new album,” she told CBS Atlanta. “I believe the music will be life-changing. It’s not even finished yet and it’s already my favorite thing to listen to.”
See you soon, Janelle!
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