The talented performer, who also graces the cover, reveals details about her upcoming album and says she aims to “tell universal stories in unforgettable ways,” and that conversations she had with collaborators helped inspire some of the tracks.
[WATCH: Janelle?Mon?e & Erykah Badu Release Official Visual for “Q.U.E.E.N. (VIDEO)]
In addition to Erykah Badu, Mon?e reportedly enlists Miguel for a collaboration on her new project, entitled ‘The Electric Lady,’ and even snatches up his royal purple highness PRINCE for a collaboration (and we all know how rarely he makes guest appearances)!
I live!! 🙂
Details + more photos from Janelle’s Billboard cover feature…
“We are great friends, and he is a mentor to us, to me,” she says of Prince.
“It’s a beautiful thing to have a friend — someone who cares about your career, and wants to see you go far and to push boundaries and shake up the world — give whatever they possibly can to the cause.”
Mon?e jumped at the opportunity to work with the iconic singer, who is not exactly known for making guest appearances, and she even produced the track.
“I had a chance to produce an icon,” says Mon?e, who is keeping the name of their song under wraps.
“It’s not every day that he collaborates. I’m honored and humbled that he trusted me. He is forever my friend, and I am forever indebted. I can’t say too much else about it.”
As far as her career in the music industry, Janelle admits that it was always her goal to her own boss, stating:
I never liked people telling me what to do.
I also wanted to own something: I’ve always had this thought of owning my own label, of being in charge of my words, my art, everything you hear.
My goal wasn’t to be the most famous person overnight — it was to make music on my own terms, develop myself and understand if my words were necessary to young people like myself and to make my family proud.
I don’t know about you… but a Janelle/Prince collaboration just seems natural to me.? They’re almost like the same person!
CLICK HERE to read more of Janelle Monae’s Billboard cover story.