Janelle Monae Interview – Janelle Monae at Coachella 2013

After releasing our annual Women in Music issue, we have inspiring songstresses on our minds—which led us to seek an interview with female powerhouse Janelle Monae before her Coachella 2013 performance last night. The face of CoverGirl cosmetics shares her festival beauty musts and thoughts on the top ladies in music biz today.ELLE: Tell us what we can expect from your new album, The Electric Lady. Janelle Monae: I’m going to release the whole album in the fall, which is one of my favorite seasons. I’m first going to release The Electric Lady, and it’s going to be a follow up to The ArchAndroid. It is a more revealing personal album. I took a lot more risks in the writing—saying things musically. I’m just really excited about the entire campaign, and what it stands for. I can’t give too much away right now. Just the whole concept of what it means to be an electric lady and what my journey has been this far. ELLE: Is there an overarching story that you’re telling? JM: There is. ELLE: Do you know what the ending is already? JM: I do. ELLE: Is there a sneak peek that you can tell us of what the end concept is, or the overarching theme? JM: Well, one of the tracks „Q.U.E.E.N.“ is going to be released April 22 and that features a great friend of mine, a big sister almost, Erykah Badu, and „Q.U.E.E Louis Vuitton Outlet.N.“ is an acronym. It is inspired by the private conversations that we’ve had over the months since we’ve formed a relationship. ELLE: What are your thoughts about collaboration and mentorship in music? JM: I think it’s important. Especially someone who has had longevity and Erykah, specifically, has had way more albums than me. I think its very beneficial and its a beautiful thing to have female camaraderie. You can congratulate and inspire each other. Female appreciation is definitely Cheap Louis Vuitton Shoulder Bags important. I like to have personal relationships when I am collaborating because I like sharing those experiences with people who care about me. I like doing things like that with people who I genuinely love. ELLE: Who do you think is the most inspiring woman in music? JM: That’s a hard question! There are so many inspiring women in music right now, and every one serves their own unique purpose. I don’t believe in woman being monolithic or anyone trying to marginalize us and say that we all have to talk about the same things, dress the same, and look the same. I appreciate the diversity in the women we have in music today.ELLE: What is your Coachella festival beauty or wardrobe Louis Vuitton Authentic Outlet must? JM: CoverGirl Hot 305 Lip Perfection Lipstick. I am a brand ambassador and support their mission to encourage girls to embrace the things that make them unique—even if it’s something that makes others uncomfortable. Redefine beauty, know who you are, and be comfortable. Just be the happiest that you can be.