Janelle Monae has opened up, talking about the release of her new album and more.
The singer talked to The Associated Press about her album The Electric Lady, which was released Tuesday. "I just feel like this is a baby and I'm ready to have a C-section or this baby is ready to come."
The 19-track album contains several guests artists, including Prince, Erykah Badu, Solange and Esperanza Spalding. "None of it was for politics," she said about the collaborations. "These guys are writing their own music, in control of their futures ... they do what they feel on their own terms and time."
She said working with Prince "was very organic." The "Purple Rain" singer reached out after "Metropolis," saying he's enjoyed what she has done and "if you ever need anything, I'm always here."
Monae talked about going to therapy how she finds it helpful; "it helps with my songwriting because once I am talking to somebody and getting it out and it's not in my head, I'm able to just write it out.
According to Contact Music, Monae says she has been inspired by "strong" women, like First Lady Michelle Obama as she was recording The Electric Lady.
She told ELLE, "On tour, I would paint on stage as I sang. Every night it was more or less the same thing: a woman's silhouette in bright, vibrant colours."
"She's a superhero, both strong and vulnerable. A model of a free woman, like Michelle Obama, Erykah Badu or Esperanza Spalding."
The Electric Lady is out in stores now and is part of her Metropolis concept series.
image: Wikimedia Commons
