Discover the career path of Janelle Monáe, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Janelle Monáe Robinson is a multifaceted American entertainer, celebrated as a singer, songwriter, rapper, and actress. Acknowledged for her diverse talents, she has garnered ten Grammy Award nominations. Beyond music, Monáe's acting prowess has earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Children's and Family Emmy Award. She has also received the ASCAP Vanguard Award, Billboard Women in Music's Rising Star Award (2015), and Trailblazer of the Year Award (2018).
1927: Inspiration from Metropolis Film
In 1927, Fritz Lang released the silent film Metropolis, which Janelle Monáe referenced as "the godfather of science-fiction movies" and a key inspiration for her Metropolis concept series.
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2003: Musical Career Begins
In 2003, Janelle Monáe began her musical career with the release of her demo album, "The Audition", marking her first foray into the music industry.
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2003: Demo Album Self-Release
In 2003, Janelle Monáe self-released a demo album titled "The Audition", selling it out of her car, marking an early step in her music career.
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2006: Signs to Bad Boy Records
In 2006, Janelle Monáe officially signed with Bad Boy Records, with the label's main goal being to broaden her exposure.
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2006: Collaboration on OutKast's Idlewild
In 2006, Janelle Monáe was featured on OutKast's album 'Idlewild', on the songs 'Call the Law' and 'In Your Dreams', and after Big Boi told Sean Combs about Monáe, Combs loved it right away.
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2007: First Solo Work Metropolis
In 2007, Janelle Monáe released her first solo work, Metropolis, initially conceived as a concept album in four parts to be released online.
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2007: Signs with Bad Boy Records
In 2007, Janelle Monáe signed with Bad Boy Records and released her debut extended play (EP), "Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase)", which received critical acclaim.
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August 2008: Metropolis: The Chase Suite Release
In August 2008, Janelle Monáe's "Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition)" was officially released by Bad Boy Records, featuring new tracks and garnering critical acclaim.
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November 2009: The ArchAndroid Concept Reveal
In November 2009, Janelle Monáe revealed the title and concept behind her album, "The ArchAndroid", setting the stage for its release.
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2009: Touring and American Idol Feature
In 2009, Janelle Monáe toured as the opening act for No Doubt and her single "Open Happiness" was featured in the season finale of American Idol.
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May 18, 2010: The ArchAndroid Album Release
On May 18, 2010, Janelle Monáe released "The ArchAndroid", combining the second and third suites of Metropolis, and featuring her alter ego Cindi Mayweather.
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June 2010: Covers Charlie Chaplin's Smile
In June 2010, Janelle Monáe covered Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" on Billboard.com, showcasing her versatility and musical range.
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September 28, 2010: Dancing with the Stars Performance
On September 28, 2010, Janelle Monáe performed "Tightrope" on Dancing with the Stars, showcasing her energetic stage presence.
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2010: The ArchAndroid Release
In 2010, Janelle Monáe's debut studio album, "The ArchAndroid", a concept album, was released through Atlantic Records, establishing her as a significant artist.
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September 2011: "We Are Young" Feature
In September 2011, Janelle Monáe was featured on fun.'s single "We Are Young", which became a global hit.
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December 11, 2011: Nobel Peace Prize Concert Performance
On December 11, 2011, Janelle Monáe performed at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, Norway, showcasing her music on an international stage.
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2011: "We Are Young" Collaboration
In 2011, Janelle Monáe guest performed on fun.'s single "We Are Young," which became a major hit, receiving a diamond certification and topping the Billboard Hot 100.
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2011: Grammy Awards Performance
In 2011, Janelle Monáe performed at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards alongside Bruno Mars and B.o.B, receiving a standing ovation and showcasing her rising star status.
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June 2012: Toronto Jazz Festival Performance
In June 2012, Janelle Monáe performed two new songs, "Electric Lady" and "Dorothy Dandridge Eyes", at the Toronto Jazz Festival, previewing her upcoming album.
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July 2012: North Sea Jazz Festival Appearance
In July 2012, Janelle Monáe appeared at the North Sea Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival, further establishing her presence in the international music scene.
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August 2012: CoverGirl Spokesperson
In August 2012, Janelle Monáe was chosen as the newest spokesperson for CoverGirl, expanding her reach into the beauty industry.
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October 2012: Sonos Commercial Appearance
In October 2012, Janelle Monáe starred in commercials for the Sonos Wireless HiFi home audio system, blending her music with technology and advertising.
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April 23, 2013: "Q.U.E.E.N." Single Premiere
On April 23, 2013, Janelle Monáe's first single from "The Electric Lady", "Q.U.E.E.N.", featuring Erykah Badu, premiered on SoundCloud and was made available for download, marking a key release from the album.
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September 10, 2013: The Electric Lady Album Release
On September 10, 2013, "The Electric Lady" was released to critical acclaim, solidifying Janelle Monáe's status as a versatile and innovative artist.
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September 14, 2013: iTunes Festival Performance
On September 14, 2013, Janelle Monáe performed alongside Chic at the iTunes Festival in London, showcasing her music on an international platform.
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2013: The Electric Lady Album Release
In 2013, Janelle Monáe's second studio album, "The Electric Lady", debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, solidifying her position in the music industry.
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April 11, 2014: Rio 2 Voice Acting Role
On April 11, 2014, Janelle Monáe's voice was featured as veterinarian Dr. Monáe in the movie Rio 2, expanding her creative endeavors into voice acting.
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April 14, 2014: Harvard College Women's Center Award for Achievement in Arts and Media
On April 14, 2014, Janelle Monáe received the inaugural Harvard College Women's Center Award for Achievement in Arts and Media, recognizing her achievements as an artist, advocate, and feminist.
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April 2014: White House "Women of Soul" Performance
In April 2014, Janelle Monáe performed at the White House as part of the "Women of Soul" event, celebrating American women artists and their impact on American national musical culture.
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2015: Wondaland Arts Society Launch
In 2015, Janelle Monáe launched her record label, Wondaland Arts Society, in a joint venture with Epic Records, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and support for other artists.
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2015: Rising Star Award
In 2015, Janelle Monáe was honored with the Rising Star Award from Billboard Women in Music, recognizing her growing influence and impact in the music industry.
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2016: Acting Debut in Moonlight and Hidden Figures
In 2016, Janelle Monáe gained attention for her roles in the films "Moonlight" and "Hidden Figures", marking her entry into the acting world.
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2018: Trailblazer of the Year Award
In 2018, Janelle Monáe received the Trailblazer of the Year Award from Billboard Women in Music, celebrating her innovative contributions and unique path in the music industry.
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2018: Dirty Computer Album Release
In 2018, Janelle Monáe released her third studio album, "Dirty Computer", which received widespread critical acclaim and was named the best album of the year by several publications.
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2019: Starring in Harriet
In 2019, Janelle Monáe starred in the film "Harriet", further expanding her acting career.
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2020: Homecoming TV series
In 2020, Janelle Monáe starred in the television series Homecoming.
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2022: Children's and Family Emmy Award
In 2022, Janelle Monáe won a Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Program for her role in the TV series "We the People". She also starred in "Glass Onion" in the same year.
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2022: The Memory Librarian Release
In 2022, Janelle Monáe wrote "The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer", a cyberpunk story collection based on her album "Dirty Computer".
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February 16, 2023: Release of "Float"
On February 16, 2023, Janelle Monáe released the single "Float" featuring Seun Kuti and Egypt 80.
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2023: The Age of Pleasure Grammy Nomination
In 2023, Janelle Monáe's fourth studio album, "The Age of Pleasure", was nominated for Album of the Year at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, marking her second nomination in this category as a lead artist.
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