Janelle Monae stopped by HOT 97 to speak with Nessa on the release day of her highly anticipated album, ‘Age of Pleasure’. Janelle delves deep into her journey of self-expression and authenticity, speaking candidly about her sexual confidence, her path to success, and how she navigated the patriarchy.
From the COVID-19 pandemic to parties for the common man, Monae gives an inside look at the making of her latest album, an experience Nessa describes as “heavenly, calm, peaceful and spicy.” She shares the joy and camaraderie she experienced while creating the album with friends and testing it with the same people it was created for.
Speaking passionately about creating a safe space for black and LGBTQIA+ people, Janelle tells us, “The Pleasure Age is a movement,” and highlights the importance of black joy and love, stating “When black people can have a safe space, what does that look like?” She broadens the conversation to the importance of mental health, advocating therapy for all and the need for everyone to tune in mentally as it determines quality of life.
Janelle doesn’t shy away from vulnerability, sharing her struggles with feeling safe to fully express herself and the pressure to adhere to traditional norms of femininity. “I don’t necessarily have to go into what you see as a traditional way of being feminine to find myself sexy. Whether I show skin or not. I am ‘sex sells’, I have ‘sex sells,’” she confidently declares.
But perhaps one of the most powerful statements she makes is, “I’ve learned that everyone’s evolution is not at the same level as mine… It’s not about you, it’s about us. Make sure we don’t betray our own bodies… I don’t think in this system, I see and understand that. I will always go inward with myself and not let the projection, the immaturity of some people’s growth, take away from my joy.”
Janelle Monae isn’t just an artist—she’s a force of nature challenging the norm and transforming the music scene. Tune in to hear her talk about everything from her own personal growth to artificial intelligence. This interview is not only about the artist Janelle Monae, but also about the visionary Janelle Monae and how she found her own “Age of Pleasure.”