News
Lineup Also Includes Indigo De Souza, Mannequin Pussy, Chappell Roan, and Ethel Cain
Jun 11, 2024
By Marina Malin
All Things Go takes on New York City with its inaugural NYC festival on September 28 and 29 at Forest Hills Stadium. Headliners are Reneé Rapp, Janelle Monáe, Chappel Roan, MUNA, Ethen Cain, and Julien Baker. More
Arctic Monkeys, Paramore, Taylor Swift, Janelle Monáe, PJ Harvey, Gorillaz, and Others Also Nominated
Nov 10, 2023
By Mark Redfern
The nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards have been announced. Under the Radar favorites Alvvays, boygenius, PJ Harvey, Paramore, Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, Olivia Rodrigo, Janelle Monáe, Gorillaz, James Blake, and others are all up for awards. More
The Age of Pleasure Due Out June 9 via Wondaland Arts Society/Atlantic
Jun 01, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Janelle Monáe is releasing a new album, The Age of Pleasure, via Wondaland Arts Society/Atlantic. Now she has announced a North American tour in support of the album. More
Plus Madeline Kenney, CJ’s Mirra Maze, Sparks, Youth Lagoon, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
May 12, 2023
By Mark Redfern (with Caleb Campbell)
Welcome to the 17th Songs of the Week of 2023. This week we had an obvious #1, a clear highlight to top the list. But there were plenty of other solid tracks too, including three from newly announced albums. More
The Age of Pleasure Due Out June 9 via Wondaland Arts Society/Atlantic
May 11, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Janelle Monáe has announced a new album, The Age of Pleasure, and shared a new song from it, “Lipstick Lover,” via a NSFW music video. More
Single Out Now via Wondaland Arts Society/Atlantic Records
Feb 16, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Janelle Monáe has shared a brand new song, “Float.” It features Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. More
Written For and Featured in All In: The Fight For Democracy
Sep 16, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Last week Janelle Monáe shared a brand new song, “Turntables,” which was one of our Songs of the Week. Now she has shared a striking video for the song that features images of Black Lives Matter protests, an old Muhammad Ali fight, Monáe in front of an American flag, Stacey Abrams, and more. More
Plus Everything Everything, Seamus Fogarty, This Is the Kit, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Sep 11, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to the 36th Songs of the Week of 2020. This week’s list is a supersized one, with 12 instead of 10 songs (and last week we only had eight), which is surprising considering Monday was the Labor Day holiday here in America, meaning few new songs were shared that day. More
Written For and Featured in All In: The Fight For Democracy
Sep 08, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Janelle Monáe seems to have been focused on her successful acting career of late, but she has now shared a brand new song, “Turntables.” It was written for and features in All In: The Fight For Democracy, which is a new Amazon Studios documentary about voter suppression. More
Setlists for Young Voices Also Features Janelle Monáe, Sigur Rós, Better Oblivion Community Center, and Others
Apr 22, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Acclaimed best selling authors Nick Hornby, Dave Eggers, and Michael Chabon have teamed up for the new charity project Setlists for Young Voices, where they are auctioning autographed setlists by R.E.M., Mitski, Wilco, Janelle Monáe, Sigur Rós, Better Oblivion Community Center, Death Cab for Cutie, Jim James, Patti Smith, More
August 16-18 in Watkins Glen, NY
Mar 20, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The last time there was a Woodstock festival was in 1999, to commemorate the original festival’s 30th anniversary, and it didn’t go so well, with reports of gang rapes, property destruction, violence, and fires, not to mention a fairly terrible lineup featuring Korn, Limp Bizkit, Bush, Kid Rock, Creed, and others. The organizers of Woodstock 50 are no doubt hoping for a more peaceful and loving event this time and the freshly announced lineup is noticeably less heavy, not a nu-metal band in sight. More
Plus Arctic Monkeys, Childish Gambino, Margo Price, David Byrne, Weezer, The Decemberists, and Others Get Nominations
Dec 07, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
The 2019 Grammy Awards nominations have been announced. Despite expanding the major categories from five nominees to eight this time, it’s still the usual collection of mainstream pop, R&B, and hip-hop artists, with rock generally shut out of the main categories. More
Plus She Performed Her Own Song "I Like That"
Nov 14, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Janelle Monáe released a new album, Dirty Computer, back in April via Atlantic. Now she has done a session for Spotify where she covers Bob Marley & The Wailers’ 1975 song “High Tide or Low Tide” and also performed Dirty Computer‘s “I Like That.” More
Emmanuel Macron, Iran Nuclear Deal, Superchunk, Janelle Monáe, North Korean Diplomacy, and Kanye West Buddies Up to Donald Trump
Apr 27, 2018
By Stephen Mayne
Our Gallic friends came to visit this week, plus cabinet positions remain unfulfilled, lawyers refuse to speak, Kanye West continues to court controversy, and Janelle Monáe remains impeccably cool. More
Dirty Computer Out Now via Atlantic
Apr 27, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Janelle Monáe released a new album, Dirty Computer, today via Atlantic. Now you can stream the whole thing below. The album features Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, Zoë Kravitz, Pharrell Williams, and Grimes. She’s has also shared an accompanying science fiction film, “an emotion picture” also titled Dirty Computer. More
Dirty Computer Due Out April 27 via Atlantic
Apr 23, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Janelle Monáe is releasing a new album, Dirty Computer, this Friday (April 27) via Atlantic. Now she has shared a video for recent single “I Like That.” She has also announced some North American tour dates. More
Dirty Computer Due Out April 27 via Atlantic
Apr 16, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Janelle Monáe is releasing a new album, Dirty Computer, on April 27 via Atlantic. Now she has shared another song from it, “I Like That.” Listen below. More
Plus Neko Case, Stuart A. Staples, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Jenny Hval, Janelle Monáe, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable Tracks
Apr 13, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
The top songs in this week’s Songs of the Week list were readily apparent, it was just a case of working out the order, with the Top 5 switching order several times before being finalized. Many of this week’s new songs are initial singles from albums or EPs also announced this week. More
Plus Mount Eerie, Father John Misty, Twin Shadow, Mark Kozelek, Alexis Taylor, Wye Oak, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Feb 23, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
It was a crazy good week for new songs. So much so that we could only narrow down this week’s Songs of the Week to 12 tracks, as opposed to our normal 10. Speedy Ortiz almost made the list with “Lucky 88,” the first single off their newly announced new album Twerp Verse, but then it would’ve been 13 songs and we gave into superstition. More
Dirty Computer Due Out April 27 via Atlantic
Feb 22, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Janelle Monáe previously announced a new album, Dirty Computer, and shared a science fiction-themed teaser trailer for it featuring both Monáe and actress Tessa Thompson (who starred as Valkyrie in last year’s superhero hit Thor: Ragnarok and was also in Westworld). Now she has confirmed the album’s release date and shared its cover art. More
Dirty Computer is "An Emotion Picture"
Feb 16, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Janelle Monáe has announced a new album and shared a teaser trailer for it. It’s entitled Dirty Computer and doesn’t have an announced release date as yet. The tracklist and cover art are both forthcoming too, as is any music from the album. More
Art Angels Out Now via 4AD
Feb 09, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Last week Grimes (aka Claire Boucher) released a video for “Venus Fly,” her Art Angels song that features Janelle Monáe. More
Video Led by Alicia Keys Also Features Bono, Rihanna, Common, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Rosario Dawson, Lenny Kravitz, and More
Jul 13, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Alicia Keys and the We Are Here Movement have spearheaded a new video in collaboration with Mic called “23 Ways You Could Be Killed If You Are Black in America.” More
Paper Gods Due Out September 18 via Warner Bros., "Pressure Off" Single Featuring Monáe Out This Week
Jun 15, 2015
By Christopher Roberts
Duran Duran have announced a new album that features Janelle Monáe and Lindsay Lohan and the production work of Mark Ronson and Nile Rodgers. The ‘80s New Wave icons will be releasing Paper Gods on September 18 in the U.S. (September 11 in the rest of the world) via Warner Bros. More
Track Off Upcoming Compilation EP Wondaland Presents THE EEPHUS
Apr 13, 2015
By Katie LaBranche
Janelle Monáe has teamed up with artist Jidenna for a brand new track titled “Yoga.” More
Sep 11, 2014
By Laura Studarus
Need to infuse your day with a little can-do spirit? Janelle Monáe is here to help. More
Last Weekend in Oslo, Norway
Aug 11, 2014
By Marie Noble
Last week, Oslo, Norway hosted The Øya Festival. We sent writer/photographer Laura Studarus over to cover the event. More
The Electric Lady Is Out Now On Wondaland
Jul 30, 2014
By Laura Studarus
Janelle Monáe roped a few of her pals in for her new video for The Electric Lady’s title cut. More
Outkast, alt-J, Massive Attack, Janelle Monae, Washed Out, and More
Jun 18, 2014
By Cody Ray Shafer
The Treasure Island Festival in San Francisco announced their lineup for 2014. Notable acts include Outkast, Massive Attack, alt-J, TV On The Radio, Janelle Monae, The New Pornographers, Washed Out, St. Lucia, Banks, Jungle, White Denim, Zedd, Polica, The Growlers, Classixx, Chet Faker, Ryan Hemsworth, TOBACCO, Bleached, Painted Palms, and more. More
The Pepsi Beats Of The Beautiful Game Compilation is Out Now
Jun 12, 2014
By Laura Studarus
Last night, Janelle Monáe stopped by Letterman to perform her cover of David Bowies’ Heroes. More
6th - 9th on Randall's Island
Jun 10, 2014
By Austin Trunick
The Big Apple’s annual outdoor music festival took place June 6th through 9th, 2014, on Randall’s Island. Jack White, Vampire Weekend, Grimes, Phoenix, Interpol, Spoon, Janelle Monae, Jenny Lewis, and many others played to large, sweaty NYC crowds, and photographer Robert Kidd was there to cover the action.
Check out his photos of day one here, and days two and three here. More
May 21, 2014
By Laura Studarus
Last night Janelle Monáe stopped by the newly launched The Maya Rudolph Show. More
Sings “What is Love” and “Electric Lady”
Apr 10, 2014
By Laura Studarus
Janelle Monáe has the kind of likable swagger that turns just about anywhere into a party. More
Beamed Into Respective Concerts
Apr 04, 2014
By Mike Hilleary
No longer monopolized by long dead artists, the use of holograms was put to some interesting use last night when artists Janelle Monáe and M.I.A. appeared in digital form for each others’ respective live performances. More
This Thursday in Los Angeles and New York
Apr 02, 2014
By Laura Studarus
This is either the coolest thing ever, or a complete train wreck in the making. This Thursday, Janelle Monaé and M.I.A. will perform at events in Los Angeles (Monaé) and New York (M.I.A.) promoting Audi’s new A3. More
Apr 02, 2014
By Laura Studarus
Let’s ignore the fact that Janelle Monáe is shilling for Pepsi, and concentrate on the fact that she just did a killer cover of David Bowie classic “Heroes.” More
Janelle Monáe Looks On Approvingly
Jan 09, 2014
By Laura Studarus
This is fun—at a Women in Music luncheon yesterday sponsored by Billboard, CHVRCHES covered Janelle Monáe’s song “Tightrope”…while Monáe looked on. More
Nov 06, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Since releasing her new double LP The Electric Lady, musical artist Janelle Monáe has made quite an impressive run on the late night circuit, bringing all kinds of high-energy showmanship to her guest performances. More
Performs "Dance Apocalyptic" and "Electric Lady"
Oct 28, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Over the weekend Janelle Monáe was welcomed as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, where the pint-sized R&B experimentalist performed “Dance Apocalypse” and “Electric Lady” off her new double album, The Electric Lady. More
Oct 11, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Recently releasing her new double LP The Electric Lady, futurist R&B artist Janelle Monáe has premiered a stylish new music video for her Miguel-featuring single “PrimeTime.” More
Performs "Dance Apocalypse"
Sep 10, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Last night R&B futurist Janelle Monáe celebrated the release of her newest album The Electric Lady a day early when she was welcomed as the musical guest on the Late Show with David Letterman. More
The Electric Lady Out Sept. 10
Aug 20, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
On Sept. 10 musical artist Janelle Monáe will release her ambitious new double album The Electric Lady. More
Double Album Out Sept. 10
Aug 09, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
After sharing two new tracks from her forthcoming album The Electric Lady, Janelle Monáe has finally provided more concrete info on the record’s impending release, the most important being that it will be a double album. More
The Electric Lady Is Out September 10 Via Bad Boy/Universal
Jun 28, 2013
By Laura Studarus
Good news Janelle Monáe fans—her sophomore album The Electric Lady will see the light of day on September 10 via Bad Boy/Universal. More
Electric Lady Due Out This September
Jun 27, 2013
By Laura Studarus
We already learned that Prince would appear on Janelle Monáe’s forthcoming sophomore album Electric Lady. Well, it appears that the partners in funk couldn’t wait until September to get the party started. More
Jun 07, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Janelle Monáe has revealed that her upcoming sophomore album The Electric Lady will feature a guest appearance by the Purple One himself, Prince. More
New Album Electric Lady Out Soon
May 02, 2013
By Laura Studarus
We still don’t know when Janelle Monáe plans to put out her new album The Electric Lady. But she’s already gotten the party started with new track “Q.U.E.E.N.” More
Your Last Chance to Bid on Autographed Protest Signs Made by Tegan and Sara, Janelle Monáe, Death Cab, Dan Deacon, James Blake, The Drums, EMA, of Montreal, DIIV, Okkervil River, and others
Oct 23, 2012
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar magazine’s Protest Auction ends in one hour at 2:00 p.m. EST. The auction features all of the autographed protest signs created by musicians for the magazine’s The Protest Issue, which is on newsstands now. All profits will go to the War Child charity. Musicians who are taking part include Janelle Monáe, Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, Dan Deacon, The Drums, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, Tom Morello, Liars, Matthew Dear, Dum Dum Girls, EMA, Menomena, Amanda Palmer, Laetitia Sadier, Reggie Watts, Youth Lagoon, Zola Jesus, and many others. More
Bid on Autographed Protest Signs Made by Tegan and Sara, Janelle Monáe, Death Cab, Dan Deacon, James Blake, The Drums, EMA, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, and others
Oct 22, 2012
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar magazine’s Protest Auction ends tomorrow, Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST. The auction features all of the autographed protest signs created by musicians for the magazine’s The Protest Issue, which is on newsstands now. All profits will go to the War Child charity. Musicians who are taking part include Janelle Monáe, Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, Dan Deacon, The Drums, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, Tom Morello, Liars, Matthew Dear, Dum Dum Girls, EMA, Menomena, Amanda Palmer, Laetitia Sadier, Reggie Watts, Youth Lagoon, Zola Jesus, and many others. More
Protest Auction Ending Tuesday, Also Features Dan Deacon, James Blake, The Drums, EMA, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, and others
Oct 21, 2012
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar magazine’s Protest Auction is now on and ends Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST. The auction features all of the autographed protest signs created by musicians for the magazine’s The Protest Issue, which is on newsstands now. All profits will go to the War Child charity. Musicians who are taking part include Janelle Monáe, Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, Dan Deacon, The Drums, of Montreal, DIIV, James Blake, Okkervil River, Tom Morello, Liars, Matthew Dear, Dum Dum Girls, EMA, Menomena, Amanda Palmer, Laetitia Sadier, Reggie Watts, Youth Lagoon, Zola Jesus, and many others.
More
Issue Also Features Ariel Pink, Passion Pit, Wild Nothing, Matthew Dear, Death Cab for Cutie, Janelle Monáe, Andrew Bird, The Drums, Tom Morello, Zola Jesus, Amanda Palmer, and much more
Aug 23, 2012
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar is pleased to share our election year Protest Issue for 2012, on newsstands next week, featuring two covers with Dan Deacon and Tegan and Sara. The issue features major stories on the music of Occupy and Gay musicians talking about current Queer issues. The issue is now available to buy in the digital/iPad format here. More
Dec 08, 2011
By Laura Studarus
Over-achiever much? Today it was announced that Janelle Monáe is following up last year’s full-length debut The ArchAndroid with not one but two albums in 2012. More
Feb 16, 2011
By Laura Studarus
After last weekend’s Grammy performance, Janelle Monáe announced she’ll be taking the show on the road with king of hooligans, Bruno Mars. We have the dates. More
The Black Keys Also Win Multiple Awards
Feb 14, 2011
By Mark Redfern
Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs beat out such heavyweights as Eminem, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, the last award of the night. The Black Keys also won multiple awards and we have video highlights from Arcade Fire, Florence and the Machine, Mumford and Sons, Cee-Lo Green, and Muse.
More
Sep 24, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Pint-sized retro/futuristic R&B songstress Janelle Monáe took on Last Call With Carson Daly last night with a clip recorded at Los Angeles’ Viper Room. We have the video. More
Tour with Janelle Monáe Now Includes Dates in Atlanta and San Francisco
Aug 18, 2010
By Kyle Lemmon
The new video for of Montreal‘s “Coquet Coquette” is pretty crazy. During its 3:28-running time you’ll witness a cannibalistic group of marauders storming a deserted island. There’s witch doctors, necrophilia, face-painting, and a shirtless Kevin Barnes for the ladies in the house. Plus, they are releasing their new album on cassette. We have the video, details, and tour dates. More
Aug 09, 2010
By Brie Savard
Channeling the late James Brown, Janelle Monáe Memphis Jooked and Turfed her way across the So You Think You Can Dance stage last Thursday night, performing her hit song “Tightrope” on FOX‘s dance competition show. More
May 19, 2010
By Kyle Lemmon
Janelle Monáe‘s rousing rendition of “Tightrope” for last night’s Late Show with David Letterman was one of the best late-night performances in several years. Ms. Monae busted out some “classy brass,” the tightrope dance, superhero capes, and synchronized band moves. We have the video. More
Reviews
Aug 13, 2024
By Laura Studarus
Flow Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary last weekend and Under the Radar’s Laura Studarus was on hand to join in the celebrations with them. More
Jul 03, 2024
By Andy Von Pip
Janelle Monáe played Manchester’s Factory International last night (Tuesday 2nd July) and Under the Radar photographer Andy Von Pip was there to capture the highlights More
Sep 14, 2023
By Joshua Mellin
Janelle Monáe took her “Age Of Pleasure” tour to the grand Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and Under the Radar’s Joshua Mellin was there to witness it. More
Aug 16, 2023
By Candace McDuffie
Outside Lands celebrated its 15th anniversary and Under the Radar had an unforgettable weekend watching some of the biggest names in music the planet has to offer. More
May 07, 2018
By Conrad Duncan
Although Janelle Monáe has never been shy, she has not always spoken openly about her beliefs. Her past albums, The ArchAndroid and The Electric Lady, were extravagant genre-mash-ups that pulled ideas from rock and classical music as effectively as they did from soul and hip-hop. However, they were essentially concept albums. More
Aug 13, 2014
By Laura Studarus
Every festival has one day that stands head and shoulders above the rest. While every day at Øya this year felt like an embarrassment of riches, Thursday was my absolute favorite—thanks to strong sets from Conor Oberst, JUNGLE, Janelle Monáe, Little Dragon, and Outkast. More
Jun 10, 2014
By Austin Trunick
In its third year on Randall’s Island, New York’s Governors Ball—named for its previous setting, on Governors Island—seems to have finally found steady footing. More
Sep 19, 2013
By J. Pace
The future is robotic: sexless, genderless, classless, and raceless. It’s post-this, post-that, genreless, and guileless. It’s proto-android and it’s 110 percent glamorous. And Janelle Monáe is already there, dreaming of electric sheep and serving up another two suites (IV and V) of her Metropolis series, with somehow even more of the playful, idiosyncratic, and completely over-the-top style we know (and love?) her for. More
Nov 04, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Someone needs to cast of Montreal bandleader Kevin Barnes in a revival of Rocky Horror Picture Show revue. After 12 years of gender bending, Technicolor, costumed pop, this seems like the only logical career arc. It probably goes without saying that seeing of Montreal live in concert is a damn good time. More
Aug 30, 2010
By Hays Davis
With overlong, filler-stuffed CDs hitting the market regularly by all manner of artists, the fact that Janelle Monáe presents a double-length disc that’s engaging and memorable from start to finish is creditable in itself. Considering how, on this debut long-player, Monáe audaciously skates freely across genres and sounds great wearing every hat she tries on, she’s practically in a class of her own at only age 24. More