Janelle Monáe is “in competition with herself” when she’s dancing.
The singer prides herself on her energetic routines and always strives to do better than she has before. Looking at some of her old promos she is proud that she gave them her all.
“I always think, ‘How can my dance moves be more outlandish?’ I’ll look back at past videos and it’s like I’m in competition with myself,” she marvelled to British Marie Claire magazine. “My mother is a great dancer. And, when I was growing up, there was this girl across the street who would perform and play piano and I would always watch her.”
Janelle released her debut studio album The ArchAndroid in 2010 and has won a host of A-list fans. She counts reclusive musician Prince as one of her mentors and remains amazed that he wanted to team up with her.
“I can talk to Prince about anything. I just call him up. He’s been a supporter of mine since my debut EP Metropolis and I’m so excited to produce him on my new album, The Electric Lady, as he doesn’t collaborate very often,” she explained. “The single Q.U.E.E.N. came about through a conversation I had with Erykah Badu. We wanted to do something that empowers women who have felt marginalised. She’s a great friend to me, like a mentor or a big sister.”
The Electric Lady is due out on September 10.
