Janelle Monáe exclusive interview

by Daniel Falconer | 13 June 2014

Janelle Monáe

As one of the biggest rising stars in the industry right now, Janelle Monáe continues to impress with her fantastic vocals and has recently performed a cover of a David Bowie classic for Pepsi's new 'Beats of the Beautiful Game' album.

FemaleFirst got the chance to put some questions to Janelle about the experience of recording the track, filming in Brazil and more.

Why did you decide to get involved with Pepsi's new album?

I was really excited about the opportunity to collaborate on David Bowie’s song, the iconic song 'Heroes', and when I heard it was part of the football campaign, it just felt big, it just felt like the message of the song – one of my favourite songs – is going to reach so many people, so that was really exciting. And also 'Heroes' speaks to that burst of courage and just passion, which can embolden not just me but everyday people.

What was the experience like of going into recording for your track 'Heroes'?

We had a great time. We loved the original so much. I worked with my production team who does all of my music, Wonderland Productions, and we just listened to the original and we loved it. We loved the mood and the feel that it had and we said ‘What would it sound like if we went through our dreams? How can we make this song feel dreamlike in coming to reality? What sounds could we used?’ So we just used our Atlanta influence, with the drums, and we wanted to make sure we didn’t steer too much away from the original but at the same time give it a fresh re-imagining.

Was there a pressure to get everything right recording a David Bowie classic?

No, it was fine. David Bowie is fine and I had already heard from his wife, who is such a beautiful and supportive woman, that he was aware of me and he was a fan and I was just like 'wow', I couldn’t believe it. I just knew I needed to have fun. I needed to have the confidence that he had and knew that I should definitely stay true to who I am. And it was more fun than pressure, we had a really good time because he’s a fun artist and he’s not scared to do anything, so why should I be?

What did you make of The Young Astronauts’ adaptation of the song for the video?

I thought it was so cool and visually very strong. I loved the kids and how they responded to being picked on and being bullied. I think it’s great if we can change people’s perspectives on how to react to those who may try to oppress us or bully us. I think we won and I think that the Young Astronauts’ video won.

You also featured in the 90-second Pepsi MAX ad on the streets of Rio, how was the experience of filming that?

It was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, one of my favourite places and it showed me playing the guitar, which is actually how I started my career. I started with just a guitar and singing, very stripped down and so it kind of brought things back to my roots, being that artist who wanted to really change the world with music and song, through my image and the story. Being able to capture that was kind of nostalgic and at the same time just reminds me, it doesn’t take much to try and inspire people; just simple things and you saw that in the commercial, you saw how people stopped and listened and how we can just connect and how music connects. It’s a universal language. No matter where you’re from, no matter what language you speak, we can all unite in music and through the song and that’s what this big campaign is all about; it’s using music to bring us all together so I think it’s great to be the narrator of it.

Will you be watching The World Cup this year [and who will you be supporting]?

The United States of America, that’s who I’ll be supporting! I think everybody’s going to work hard. I love watching the teamwork and the effort that goes into creating a game; they all go through the highs and the lows and whoever wins they get to experience that together, but I have to say that I’m on the US’ side on this one!

What is it about football that you think makes it the most popular sport in the world?

Everybody feels like they could play soccer. Everyone feels like ‘I could do that!’ and they’re looking and imagining themselves as the soccer player.

What should we expect from you in the coming months?

I’m on tour right now and I’ll be doing something with Dave Chappelle in New York at the end of this month, we’ll be at Radio City Music Hall and I’ll also be in LA at the Hollywood Ball and Essence festival with Prince. So we’re doing a lot of touring this summer. And I’m excited about a new project that I’m part of. It’s not solely my project, but I’m a part of it and I’m excited. It’s a big concept and a big idea with lots of other creative new artists and when the timing is right it will launch.