Janelle Monae is the Bad Boy Records artist that Sean “P-Diddy” Combs called “the most important signing of my career”. She is ready to blow up in a big way and if 2010/11 isnt kind to the hugely talented 24 year-old Atlantan, then I’ll eat my hat.
Diddy saw what a lot of other people are beginning to see in this space-funk songstress. The ArchAndroid, her full-length debut that is inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1927 classic Sci-Fi film Metropolis is one of the most enthralling and unique slices of pop to grace my ears in 2010. It’s a concept album that focuses on the adventures of Cindi Mayweather, a 28th Century pleasure cyborg that dresses like a 40′s jazz master – the album features guests as diverse as OutKast rapper Big Boi and indie rockers Of Montreal.
The lead single is ‘Tightrope’ an infectious funk laden track that bounds and leaps across a frantic beat and is covered in confident and tight vocals. You can check out the original version below featuring Big Boi of Outkast or look out for the club friendly Wondaland remix with B.O.B & Lupe Fiasco.
ArchAndroid is out now on BadBoy records. You can find out more about Janelle by clicking here.
