HARLEM LOVES » Janelle Monae

The Style: Kerry, Jennifer, Zoë, Naomi, Ciara, Iman and more at Met Costume Institute Gala in NYC

Harlem — Wed, 04 May 2011 05:05:12 +0000

Look at all the pretty dresses (and a few scary ones) at the annual Costume Institute Gala At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art in New York, which honoured Alexander McQueen this year…

I LOVE that colour on Kerry Washington, Iman looks like she’s burning bronze in that outfit, Lala Vasquez exudes elegance and Salma Hayek is working all her curves in that gown… Beautiful.

The Music: Anais Aida and Daniel “DannyBe” Bazan – Say You’ll Go (Janelle Monae Cover)

Harlem — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:32:14 +0000

Definitely one of my favourite tracks from ArchAndroid. Makes me think of faraway places and big squeezy hugs…

Say You’ll Go (Cover) by Be Music Productions

Both Anais and “DannyBe” are students in the Clive Davis Department Of Recorded Music in New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. In this cover we get to hear Anais’ luxurious vocals whilst Dannybe chills us out on the piano.

Just beautiful and just what I need given I’m kind of laid up in bed today. Not feeling too well but this is a nice way to ensure I relax a little.

The Music: Minnie Riperton – Les Fleurs

Harlem — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:53:23 +0000

You know I was here for ages thinking who does this remind me of then it hit me… Janelle Monae. I think this track would sit quite perfectly on the Archandroid album. The question is, does that make Minnie Riperton ahead of her time or Janelle Monae an old soul?

In other news, I have to apologise for the shameful lack of blogging this week. Good thing I’m not a hugely into New Years’ resolutions or I’d be quite disappointed. At least I have good reason in that I’m working on a major strategy for work.

Still working on it now actually and Minnie Riperton’s lovely voice is accompanying me in the process, so I thought I’d share my mini Minnie Monae moment… Now there’s a showbiz name waiting to happen.

Out of curiosity what’s on the soundtrack to your working sessions?

The Music: Janelle Monae ft Saul Williams – Dance or Die

Harlem — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:36:02 +0000

You know I can’t get enough of Janelle Monae’s album The ArchAndroid.

I have to admit I’m a late arrival to the Janelle Monae appreciation society, though I’ve been mingling in the Janelle Monae “hmmm interesting” society for a while (thanks to an intro by my girl Lolly) but this album definitely changed my views.

So much so we’re currently taking a little break as I was practically listening to it every day for two weeks straight and I think I need to miss it for a bit. This tracks one of my faves though, alongside Locked Inside, Cold War and of course Tightrope.

Enjoy.

The Music: Janelle Monae – Cold War

Harlem — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:52:36 +0000

This video is so simple and yet so potent and it’s all Janelle Monae. Just remarkable. Would LOVE to know what you think about it.

We must brave this night
And have faith in love – Janelle Monae

[via Pinboard Blog]

The Photograph: Janelle Monae x Paper Magazine

Harlem — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:37:00 +0000

Here’s Janelle Monae looking all cute and edgy on the front cover of Paper magazine’s summer 2009 edition.

The Video: Jingle Bells vs Flo Rida

Harlem — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 01:15:00 +0000

So it’s officially time to start talking about Christmas. The lights are on in the West End, “All I want for Christmas” is on everyone’s playlist and the buy-me mania has begun.

In time for the season, Gap have released their new winter campaign, Merry Mix, and I have to say the ad could be a contender for Christmas number one.

Getting Mr “Applebottom jeans, boots with the furrrrr” Flo Rida to remix Jingle Bells sounds like a very bad idea but this advert is too funny and a good way to kick off the holiday season.

Video highlights include an appearance from Janelle Monae, The Dixie Chicks stealing moves from Pharrell, a few other moves stolen from House Party and Flo Rida making an open sleigh sound like it has 22″ rims. Love it!

Gap Merry Mix – Jingle Bells

The Music: V V Brown

Harlem — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Could V V Brown be Britain’s answer to Janelle Monae? Either way she sounds interesting.

V V Brown on Jools Holland

The Music: Janelle Monae

Harlem — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:29:00 +0000

A friend of mine introduced me to the sound of Janelle Monae a few months back…

I respect the progressiveness of her sound and style but I can’t honestly say I’m a fan just yet. Could she be too edgy for me? Perhaps.

I am however a huge fan (or stan as the kids say now) of her track Cindi which I wouldn’t say is her typical sound at all but does show off her diversity.

Anyway, the soulful inflection at the end is a real highlight for me and I’ve posted the vid below for your viewing pleasure.

Janelle Monae – Cindi

What do you think?
Is Janelle Monae your cup of tea? And whatever happened to Cindy (the doll) anyway? Did arch rival Hawaiian Barbie take her on a boat trip and leave her to sleep with the fishes? It’s a worrying thought.