(usartical) The ‘Age of Pleasure’ singer talked candidly about a few of her most well-known partners.
Although it’s often said that you shouldn’t meet your heroes, Janelle Monáe has collaborated with and met hers! The non-binary, pansexual, futuristic celebrity talked about her experiences working with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, including one that she had a love on, during an appearance on Thursday’s broadcast of The Jennifer Hudson Show.
It was an extra-special treat to have The Best Man star on her GRAMMY-nominated album, The Age of Pleasure, since the 38-year-old admitted to host Jennifer Hudson that she was among the many who had a love on actor Nia Long.
“When I first got into the industry, Nia Long was one of the first actors who had come and see me perform, and I just remember hugging her,” Monáe said. “Like everyone else, I don’t think I felt safe telling her how much I loved her when I was a child. Without a doubt, she was my favorite.
The singer clarified that after they eventually exchanged contact details, Long and she became friends.”When I had the song ‘The Rush,’ there was this voice that I heard, and it was just perfect for her because of her poetic voice on Love Jones — which is a classic,” Monáe said. “Therefore, towards the end of the song, you can hear her speaking. I believe I sounded quite seductive and sensuous when I demoed it, but I thought, “Nia Long, we need this energy.”
Along with Grace Jones, Amaarae, Sister Nancy, Egypt 80, Doechii, Seun Kuti, and CKay, Long is one of the featured artists on The Age of Pleasure.
One of Monáe’s most well-known partners was her late mentor, Prince, with whom Hudson says she was unable to collaborate before his passing.
“He loved you, and I think that just goes to show what kind of person he was, because I remember us talking about you.” “He was a big supporter of artists, especially Black women,” Monáe reminisced, looking back with fondness on her first conversation with the musician, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 57.
Prince collaborated with Monáe on her 2018 album, The Electric Lady, and was included on her 2013 sophomore studio album,The singer recalled an opening set she did for Prince’s concert, where the musician joined her onstage for a rendition of their song, “Givin’ Em What They Love,” from The Electric Lady.
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And you know, the headliner never comes out right before it’s time for them to come, and for him to do that, like that’s the beautiful thing about him,” Monáe said, to which Hudson replied, “He was not only a great icon but a great human being.”
“He never let his mystery get in the way of his mentorship,” Monáe said. Watch the video below to see Monáe’s chat.In a personal interview for Rolling Stone’s Pride issue, the Glass Onion actress discussed her newfound freedom and how the COVID-19 pandemic inspired her to celebrate her independence and enormous success.