janelle monae
Growing up, Janelle Mon?e (born Janelle Robinson) felt constrained by the limited resources offered to her in her greater Kansas City, KS, home. [1]
The label gave an official and physical release to the first suite in August 2008, which was retitled Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition) and included two new tracks. [2]
After the release of the first part of the series, Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase) in mid-2007, these plans were altered following her signing with Sean “Diddy” Combs ’s label, Bad Boy Records, later in the year. [3]
A re-release of The Chase, featuring bonus content, appeared in August 2008, while the second and third suites of Metropolis were issued together as components of 2010’s The ArchAndroid. [...] She soon joined a band and began touring the local college circuit, where she eventually got in touch with her future partners in Wondaland Arts Society (a collective/label that looked to promote experimental arts) as well as OutKast ’s Big Boi. [1]
Janelle Mon?e Robinson (b.1985) is a U.S. pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter, dancer, producer, and performer signed to her own label Wondaland Arts Society and Diddy ’s Bad Boy Records. [2]
It was originally conceived as a concept album in four parts, or “suites”, which were to be released through her website and mp3 download sites. [3]
Born on 1st December 1985 in Kansas City, Kansas) she moved to New York to study theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. [2]
The album — which melded cabaret, hip-hop, rock, and soul — was well received, which helped bring the singer into the radar of Sean “Diddy” Combs. [1]
The EP was generally well-received by critics, garnering Mon?e a 2009 Grammy nomination in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance for her single “Many Moons”, festival appearances and opening slots for the indie pop band Of Montreal. [...] After moving to Atlanta, GA, where she met OutKast ’s Big Boi, Mon?e founded the Wondaland Arts Society with like-minded young artists and made appearances on Idlewild, where she is featured on the songs “Call the Law” and “In Your Dreams”. [...] Mon?e noted that she plans to shoot a video for each song on The ArchAndroid and create both a movie and graphic novel based on the album. [...] Mon?e received the Vanguard Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers at the Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in 2010. [...] She is currently signed to the Wondaland Arts Society and Bad Boy /Atlantic Records. [...] Janelle Mon?e (born December 1, 1985 in Kansas City, Kansas as Janelle Mon?e Robinson) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and performer. [3]
Sources:
[1] Janelle Mon?e: Information from Answers.com
[2] Janelle Mon?e ‘ Free listening, videos, concerts, stats …
[3] Janelle Mon?e - Wikipedia