Arts and Entertainment
Monae bring Metropolis to the Hill
By Genevieve Nierman '13, Arts & Entertainment Contributor
October 20, 2011
It’s time to bust out your unisex tuxedos, lace up your dancing shoes and get your funk on; Hamilton College is about to walk the “Tightrope” all the way to Janelle Monáe-Land. On Friday night, Monáe, along with opening act Body Language, will perform in Tolles Pavilion in the College’s biggest concert of the semester.
The 25-year-old Philadelphia native is one of R&B/soul’s most promising rising stars with her critically acclaimed debut album, The ArchAndroid, and her chart-topping hit, “Tightrope,” featured prominently on K-Mart’s recent back-to-school ad campaign.
After catching the eye of Outkast member Big Boi with her minor role in the duo’s 2006 film Idlewild, Monáe was signed to Atlantic Records and Big Boy Records by music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who produced her 2008 debut LP, Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition). At the start of Metropolis, Monáe introduces the listener not only to the futuristic, heavily policed city of Metropolis—inspired, of course, by Fritz Lang’s classic 1927 film—but also to Cindi Mayweather, Monáe’s archandroid alter ego who challenges the status quo of her dystopian society by falling in love with a human. The critics went wild over Monáe’s original sound, which incorporates elements from big band orchestras, 1970s afro-funk, soul, R&B and contemporary electro-pop. Later that year the album was nominated for the Best Urban/Alternative Performance Grammy award. Following the success of the EP, Monáe collaborated with a variety of musical artists, ranging from producer B.o.B. to indie band Of Montreal.
In 2010, Monáe released her debut album, The ArchAndroid (Suites I and II), which debuted at #17 on Billboard’s 200 chart. The ArchAndroid is truly a tour de force as Monáe leaves no instrument unused, no note unsung and no aspect of her re-imagined Metropolis unexplored. For instance, in “Wondaland” Monáe utilizes her higher register, singing over a female choir, soft synthesizers and haunting violin swells.
Monáe is not only known for her incredible voice and unique songwriting skills but also for her charm and charisma as a performer. That stage presence, coupled with the sheer heft of her 12-piece touring band, promises an imaginative and energetic concert. Come Friday night, we can expect to see Monáe’s signature black-tie-meets-Lower-East-Side style as well as fun, graceful choreoraphy.
That said, you won’t want to miss the opening act Body Language either. Fresh off the release of their new album, Social Studies (which is currently being featured on NPR’s, “First Listen”), the Brooklyn quartet, composed of Matthew Young, Grant Wheeler, Ian Chang and Angelica Bess, are currently playing gigs every day at CMJ in New York City and are taking Friday night off to entertain us with their unique electro-pop/indie-soul sound.
The ease at which they reproduce their complex electronic sound live on stage has already helped them catch the attention of a few big names and lead to opening act gigs for Passion Pit, Zero 7 and Matt and Kim. You would be ill-advised to miss out of seeing either of these talented acts on Friday, Oct. 21 at 9 p.m. in the Tolles Pavilion. Tickets are $20 at the door.