I'm really thankful to have my own record label. I've always looked up to people like Madonna when she launched Maverick Records. Even Jay Z and Sean "Puffy" Combs, who's a mentor and also gave me a shot when I was an independent artist in Atlanta. He came to my show, and he said, "I just want people to know about you."
Janelle MonaeIt's hard for me to be serious. I can't really rub oil on me and go all the way with it [laughs]. I hear some screams and I laugh to myself. I always get a kick out of it. I'm three feet tall, basically.
Janelle MonaeI believe it's time that women truly owned their superpowers and used their beauty and strength to change the world around them.
Janelle MonaeI listen to Prince on my iPad. And I use a Chords & Scales app to warm up before performing.
Janelle MonaeI always think about the next generation and creating a different blueprint for them. That's my goal: to let them know there's another way.
Janelle MonaeYou had to change who you were to become famous. I thought that for a very long time. Even after signing a record deal, and then eventually getting my own recording company, Wonderland Records, I had to say no to a lot of opportunities to become well known. If it didn't align with my values and if it didn't support the image I had created for myself, I'd pass.
Janelle Monae