Janelle Monae

Background

Janelle Monae Robinson, famously known as Janelle Monae, is an American singer whose songs are recognized globally. She was born on December 1, 1985, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Janet, a janitor, and Michael Robinson, a truck driver. Monae was raised as a Christian and grew up in the Baptist church, where she learned how to sing. Her family members were musicians at The Baptist Church, Church of God in Christ, and the Local A.M.E. Church. Monae attended F.L. Schlagle High School and moved to New York, where she enrolled at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she was the only back person in her class. She soon dropped out because she felt out of place and moved to Atlanta, where she enrolled at Perimeter College at Georgia State University.

Monae featured on Purple Ribbon All-Stars album, “Got Purp? Vol. 2,” and soon, her career began to kick off. She signed into the record label “Bad Boy” in 2006. She released her first solo in 2007, ‘Metropolis.’ In 2008, her label released her E.P, “Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition),” which included two new tracks. The E.P. earned Monae her first Grammy Awards nomination for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. In 2010, Monae released her album, “The ArchAndroid.” That same year, she received the Vanguard Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. She performed with Bruno Mars and B.o.B in 2011 at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. In December 2011, Monae performed ‘Cold War’’ and ‘Tightrope’ at the Nobel peace prize concert in Oslo, Norway. Monae was “Cover Girl’s” spokesperson in 2012. In 2014, the Harvard College Women’s Center honored Monae with an ‘Achievement in Arts and Media.’ That same year her voice was used in the movie “Rio 2” by the veterinarian Dr. Monae. By 2015, Monae set up her record label named “Wondaland Records.” In 2016, Monae starred in the movie “Hidden Figures’’ alongside co-actresses Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer.

In 2011, during an interview with “London Evening Standard,” Monae claimed to only go out with androids. While in 2013, Monae said she was interested in both men and women and expressed her support for the L.G.B.T.Q. She has identified herself to be both bisexual and pansexual. In April 2022, Monae came out as non-binary during the “Red Table Talk,” a show hosted by Jada Smith. Monae made tuxedos her trademark in the industry and is not bothered by what anyone has to say about it.