Concert Chronicles: Janelle Monáe
Live Paradise + more songs I'm currently obsessed with!
Hello Music Aficiandos!
Welcome to another edition of my newsletter for “My Point Is” Where I basically highlight my musical experiences. Whether it be diving into the heart of live concert performances I’m attending or the eclectic soundtrack of my everyday life with new and uncut gems I’m discovering.
I can’t wait to share my recent VIP concert chronicles, musical discoveries or just highlight essential things happening in life. Thank you so much for all the love and support you all have given me so far in my journey!
Janelle Monáe: Live Paradise
To know me is to know many of my musical favorites. Michael Jackson, Prince, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé. The list goes on. And to know me is to know my love for one particular artist that really shaped the nerdy, afrofuturistic, sci-fi loving, eclectic music-indulging woman that I am today. And that performer is none other than the electrifying artist Janelle Monáe.
About two weeks ago I got to indulge in the exhilarating live experience of Janelle for the second time in my life. To know me is to know how much I’ve adored them since I was a young girl, styling my box braids into a pompadour and sporting black and white, I followed their storytelling from early works then into “Metropolis: The Chase Suite” to “Electric Lady,” engulfing myself in her futuristic paradise “Wondaland.”
The Dirty Computer Tour in 2018 is when I saw Janelle perform live for the very first time, shed in a new light and more expressive in their sexuality in a way I’d never seen before. It was phenomenal. And I cried like a baby then, not knowing that an artist I adored would transcend once again in a realm that is not only inspiring but also, in a very Janelle way, electrifying.
I adored “The Age of Pleasure” album and watching Janelle become a free ass motherfucker. To see them shed their wings in her newfound freedom, love of life, performance and craft.
The Age of Pleasure Tour felt just like that, a slice of paradise. With energetic openers like Nana Kwabena, Sainted Trap Choir and an animated and electric performance by Flyana Boss, the crowd was hyped and buzzing for the main attraction.
Janelle is a per-for-mer in every sense of the word. With an awestriking stage presence, and the command of their versatile voice from high-tempo hits to glimmery ballads, all while dancing without a single misstep. Also affirming the audience to live in our truth and enjoy the present moment. Janelle stood and performed in full gratitude of the journey they’ve traveled and battles they’ve overcome.
I don’t think I have a favorite moment, because I am still so full from the entire experience. It was ethereal seeing the growth of an artist I’ve adored most of my life and the concert left my heart bursting.
(Random fact: I met two dear friends of mine at the Dirty Computer tour 5 years ago, and went with one of them again to this concert. It was a very emotional full circle moment for me.)
I said this before when I saw Durand, but it is so powerful and fulfilling seeing a Black artist be their 100 percent authentic self, living in their truth, and still inspiring others to do the same. Janelle has always inspired me to be my pure self and without them, I’m not sure if I’d ever have that courage.
My point is, Janelle Monáe, the artist they are, the free ass motherfucker she embraces — they are everything and the performance was nothing short of breathtaking.
(Also, they signed my CD!!)
Eclectic Soundtracks of My Life
Here are some songs that I simply can’t get out of my head these days.
Sally Ride by Janelle Monáe because the “Electric Lady” is full of amazing gems and a masterwork of an afrofuturistic album.
Because Neo-Soul feels like autumn to me so I’ve been playing a lot of D’Angelo because I adore him, Lady is such a warm and beautiful song.
Cleo Sol has been healing me, and her new album “Gold” is also a masterwork. There Will Be No Crying makes ME cry, but I am easily moved and also a baby.
Greater by Ari Lennox because I’ve been feening for another album from her, and the Creed III soundtrack is criminally slept on.
Because Usher is getting his well-deserved praises and Can U Help Me is a beautiful ballad that isn’t talked about enough. It is also his 45th birthday and he’s aging like wine.
Also, random, but aside from journalism writing I do some creative writing. A fluffy Black girl romance I’m kinda working on has been taking most of my attention from a more, darker southern-lore passion project I’ve had on the backburner for 5 years. I say all that to say should I share my works? I’ve been opening up to the idea. But we’ll see.
Anyway, thanks for reading this VERY long update on my life.
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Instagram ♡: queenglyn
“To know me is to know many of my musical favorites. Michael Jackson, Prince, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé. The list goes on.” - You could’ve stopped there and I’d be hooked completely. But then adding Janelle makes me a super fan of yours. Great write up of my celebrity crush.