Janelle Monáe - Sally Ride

In honor of Sally Ride on her birthday, I bring you this song that was inspired by her life. This artist uses female empowerment as the theme for a lot of her songs, so it makes sense that she would dedicate an entire song to this accomplished female pioneer, the first American woman in space. Surprisingly, there’s a bit of profanity.
Note: HD quality!

Janelle Monáe - Sally Ride:

Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu - Q.U.E.E.N.

I admit: sonically, this isn’t my favorite song. BUT the message of the song is great, in line with her running theme of non-conformity and self-acceptance. Like many of her songs, it contemplates outsider status, but in a less morose way than in some of her other works, this time celebrating and declaring it proudly. And the music video is pretty dope too. When she changes into her signature suit I’m like, “Oof, she’s MY queen!!” I also love that a lot of her songs are meant to be empowering for marginalized groups like women and allude to the oppression of black Americans.
Note: I couldn’t resist posting the official music video, which has HD.

Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu - Q.U.E.E.N.:

Janelle Monáe feat. Big Boi - Tightrope

The music video for this song, which I found on a NewNowNext playlist, was my first exposure to this talented artist, and her suave dance moves and classy attire won me over almost immediately—her voice and lyrics were just icing on the cake. It’s a song of motivation; don’t let your haters get your down, and keep doing your thing. The featured hip hop artist was one half of the famous duo Outkast, which is quite an endorsement.
Note: Listening in HD is recommended!

Janelle Monáe feat. Big Boi - Tightrope:


And here’s the music video:

Janelle Monáe - Come Alive

This is the first time I’m posting something other than a music video by this artist. This track made me realize that her voice is not only very good, it’s kind of insane. That sustained shriek! Geeze!
Note: Listen in HD!

Janelle Monáe - Come Alive:

Janelle Monáe - Cold War

Here's another song that seems thematically related to the previous song I posted by this artist, in that it's about the pressure to conform to societal expectations. I'm proud of my lyric interpretation on this one because she actually confirmed it in a number of interviews, so yay!  It's not often I find the lyrics of a song so personally relatable.
I'm posting this video this time too, because it's also great (and remniscent of Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U" video). Supposedly this was the first take of what was intended to be only part of the official music video, but they ended up using the raw footage because it was so powerful on its own. She starts out sticking to her android persona but rather conspicuously drops it when she gets to my favorite line of the song.

Janelle Monáe - Cold War:


And the music video:

Janelle Monáe - Many Moons

You knew it was coming. ALL HAIL JANELLE MONAAAAAAAEEEE!!!  I heard her first when I saw her music video for "Tightrope" on a NewNowNext music playlist, and it was love at first sight. She is so talented and cool I can hardly stand it. I love how her music often revolves around a theme of being an outcast, being anti-conformity, and breaking social norms. She herself certainly refuses to conform to convention, and her fixation with android storylines amuses me.  I'm using her MV because it's weird & meaningful, plus GIRL CAN DANCE.

Janelle Monáe - Many Moons: