A Note About Creative Freedom While Fangirling For Janelle Monae | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

A Note About Creative Freedom While Fangirling For Janelle Monae

Her fusion of science fiction storytelling and beautiful music gets me everytime time.

66
A Note About Creative Freedom While Fangirling For Janelle Monae
Wikimedia Commons

I love when musical artists commit to some sort of creative narrative throughout a series of their albums. One of my favorite artists, Janelle Monae, came to mind as her name popped up in my Spotify playlist. It often does as she covers a great deal of my favorite saved songs. I’ve been enjoying the storytelling she does through her music and her amazing voice for several years now.

I've remained amazed at her creativity. Not only does she bring the loud shower singer out of me, but she brings out the writer that bravely takes on creative risks.

“...Janelle Monáe has already released three albums full of playful, gorgeous songs ready for the dance floor, with a dramatic sci-fi epic about freedom, class, and acceptance laced throughout the background. This strategy has allowed listeners to enjoy her music whichever way they please, without having to sacrifice either listenability or content.” (http://www.transchordian.com/2013/10/metropolis-ja...)

Seamlessly, she’s taken inspiration from the classic science-fiction epic, "Metropolis" (1927) film and the greatly famed Philip K. Dick’s 1968 “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” novel (later retitled and adapted as “Blade Runner”).

If you were to take a moment and listen to the stylings of "Metropolis" (2007), "The Archandroid" (2010) or "The Electric Lady" (2013), you’ll get to know an elaborate plan. You’ll get acquainted with the futuristic world that houses the main character of the story, Cindi Mayweather. Cindi is this android persona she takes on -- It’s a persona that is not genuinely an underdog but is seen that way by society for just wanting to be herself.

That persona, as I’ve heard in the lyrics of her inventive songs and in the imagery of her music videos, is art -- It’s the type of art that stands up for freeing those that are stifled and discriminated against in society, discouraging violence and promoting love. She does this all in beautifully-wrapped, science fiction, musical installments called “suites”.

So, as you can see, I've attached a little Spotify playlist down here for you to enjoy. Check it out!


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

565503
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

452308
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments