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Janelle Monáe

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5 out of 5

Singer-Songwriter, Rapper, Actress & LGBTQ Advocate

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Janelle Monáe Biography

Janelle Monáe is one of the most dynamic artists of their time, fusing soul, funk, new wave, and Southern hip-hop, among other genres and sounds, with a spirited approach that seems to treat art and entertainment as indivisible. The Grammy-nominated singer/rapper, songwriter, arranger, and producer spent years grinding away in the Atlanta underground before they emerged with a theatrical retro-futuristic sound wrapped in science fiction themes. In the 2010s, Monáe and their Wondaland associates crafted three Top 20 albums -- The ArchAndroid (2010), The Electric Lady (2013), and Dirty Computer (2018) -- examining subjects such as oppression, identity, and liberation as they relate to race and sexuality. Despite wide-scoped vision, Monáe and company filled those LPs with broadly appealing, gold-certified singles like "Tightrope", "Yoga," "Make Me Feel," and "I Like That." Monáe followed that highly conceptual trilogy with the compact The Age of Pleasure (2023), dedicated to the African diaspora with feel-good grooves sourced from Jamaica, Nigeria, and the ATL. The artist's musical activity has been balanced with an array of supporting and lead roles in films such as Moonlight, Antebellum, and Glass Onion, and the series Homecoming.

Growing up, Monáe felt constrained by the limited resources offered in their greater Kansas City, Kansas environment. When they finished high school, they moved to New York to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy with the intention of pursuing musical theater. After performing in a couple off-Broadway shows and encountering a lack of desirable roles, they opted to try their luck in Atlanta. They soon joined a band and toured the local college circuit, where they eventually got in touch with their future partners in Wondaland Arts Society -- a collective and label that looked to promote experimental arts -- and recorded The Audition, which they financed, released, and distributed in a run of a few hundred copies. Outkast's Big Boi included two of the songs from the set, the Off the Wall-styled "Lettin' Go" and an electro version of DeBarge's "Time Will Reveal," on his 2005 compilation Got Purp?, Vol. 2.

Monáe made their proper solo debut in August 2007 with an EP entitled The Chase, the first of four planned "Metropolis suites" based in the year 2719 with a character named Cindi Mayweather as the protagonist. Its mix of cabaret, soul, hip-hop, and new wave was well received and found a fan in Sean "DIddy" Combs. Rumors about a signing were finally confirmed in March 2008, when Combs announced Monáe as the newest member of his Bad Boy roster. Monáe promised that the move wouldn't compromise any of their artistic integrity or creativity, and a re-release of The Chase, featuring bonus content, followed shortly thereafter. The second and third suites of Metropolis were issued together as components of The ArchAndroid. Released in May 2010, the album debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200 and resulted in the first of several Grammy nominations for Monáe, including Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best Urban/Alternative Performance, the latter for lead single "Tightrope."

After Fun.'s number one pop hit "We Are Young," featuring Monáe, was nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, Monáe returned in September 2013 with The Electric Lady. Billed as Metropolis suites four and five, it was even more expansive than the preceding full-length and entered the Billboard 200 at number five. Monáe then moved the Wondaland label to Epic and launched the partnership with 2015's Wondaland Presents: The Eephus, a various-artists EP featuring their "Yoga" and, more significantly, Jidenna's platinum single "Classic Man." On tour in support of the EP, Monáe and their band performed the anti-police brutality song "Hell You Talmbout," not included on The Eephus but released separately as an instrumental.

Occupied with acting roles in two of the biggest films of 2016, the award-winning "Moonlight" and "Hidden Figures," Monáe recorded intermittently, including but not limited to a part in the multi-artist charity recording "This Is for the Girls," songs for the Hidden Figures soundtrack. They also collaborated with Grimes and recorded "Hum Along and Dance (Gotta Get Down)" for the Netflix series The Get Down. In April 2018, they released their third album, the frolicsome yet defiant Dirty Computer. The comparatively pop-oriented set was previewed with "Django Jane" and "Make Me Feel," the latter of which added Julia Michaels and Justin Trantor to Monáe's list of studio collaborators. Along with debuting at number six on the Billboard 200, the album earned Monáe two Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year.

More acting roles followed for Monáe over the next few years. They included a supporting role in the Harriet Tubman biopic Harriet, and appearing as noted feminist and child welfare advocate Dorothy Pitman Hughes in the Gloria Steinem biopic The Glorias, plus starring roles in the horror film Antebellum and the second season of psychological thriller series Homecoming. Monáe concurrently recorded the song "Turntables" for the documentary film All In: The Fight for Democracy. In 2021, Monáe was behind "Stronger" (for the educational animated series We the People) and an 18-minute updated version of "Hell You Talmbout." "Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)" featured over a dozen voices ranging from those of Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Brittany Howard to Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza and Pulitzer-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones. Monáe debuted on The New York Times Best Sellers list in 2022 with the sci-fi collection The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer. Having come out four years earlier as pansexual, Monáe confirmed in 2022 that they identify as nonbinary. Later that year they starred in the Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion. Early in 2023, Monáe released "Float," a collaboration with Sean Kuti that hinted at the intercontinental celebratory feel of the awaited follow-up to Dirty Computer. The Age of Pleasure landed that June and was later nominated for Album of the Year at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

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The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer

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FAQs
  • How do I book Janelle Monáe to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Janelle Monáe for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Janelle Monáe, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Janelle Monáe or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Janelle Monáe

    Speaking fees for Janelle Monáe, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Janelle Monáe are $200,000 and above for live events and $200,000 and above for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Janelle Monáe, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Janelle Monáe speak about?

    Janelle Monáe is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Activism, Arts & Humanities, Diversity Speakers, Gender and Sexuality, LGBTQ, Music, Sexual Violence, Speakers by Industry, Virtual Speakers.
  • Where does Janelle Monáe travel from?

    Janelle Monáe generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Janelle Monáe’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Janelle Monáe for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Janelle Monáe for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Janelle Monáe or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

Singer-Songwriter, Rapper, Actress & LGBTQ Advocate

Travels From:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Speaking Fee:

Janelle Monáe Biography

Janelle Monáe is one of the most dynamic artists of their time, fusing soul, funk, new wave, and Southern hip-hop, among other genres and sounds, with a spirited approach that seems to treat art and entertainment as indivisible. The Grammy-nominated singer/rapper, songwriter, arranger, and producer spent years grinding away in the Atlanta underground before they emerged with a theatrical retro-futuristic sound wrapped in science fiction themes. In the 2010s, Monáe and their Wondaland associates crafted three Top 20 albums -- The ArchAndroid (2010), The Electric Lady (2013), and Dirty Computer (2018) -- examining subjects such as oppression, identity, and liberation as they relate to race and sexuality. Despite wide-scoped vision, Monáe and company filled those LPs with broadly appealing, gold-certified singles like "Tightrope", "Yoga," "Make Me Feel," and "I Like That." Monáe followed that highly conceptual trilogy with the compact The Age of Pleasure (2023), dedicated to the African diaspora with feel-good grooves sourced from Jamaica, Nigeria, and the ATL. The artist's musical activity has been balanced with an array of supporting and lead roles in films such as Moonlight, Antebellum, and Glass Onion, and the series Homecoming.

Growing up, Monáe felt constrained by the limited resources offered in their greater Kansas City, Kansas environment. When they finished high school, they moved to New York to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy with the intention of pursuing musical theater. After performing in a couple off-Broadway shows and encountering a lack of desirable roles, they opted to try their luck in Atlanta. They soon joined a band and toured the local college circuit, where they eventually got in touch with their future partners in Wondaland Arts Society -- a collective and label that looked to promote experimental arts -- and recorded The Audition, which they financed, released, and distributed in a run of a few hundred copies. Outkast's Big Boi included two of the songs from the set, the Off the Wall-styled "Lettin' Go" and an electro version of DeBarge's "Time Will Reveal," on his 2005 compilation Got Purp?, Vol. 2.

Monáe made their proper solo debut in August 2007 with an EP entitled The Chase, the first of four planned "Metropolis suites" based in the year 2719 with a character named Cindi Mayweather as the protagonist. Its mix of cabaret, soul, hip-hop, and new wave was well received and found a fan in Sean "DIddy" Combs. Rumors about a signing were finally confirmed in March 2008, when Combs announced Monáe as the newest member of his Bad Boy roster. Monáe promised that the move wouldn't compromise any of their artistic integrity or creativity, and a re-release of The Chase, featuring bonus content, followed shortly thereafter. The second and third suites of Metropolis were issued together as components of The ArchAndroid. Released in May 2010, the album debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200 and resulted in the first of several Grammy nominations for Monáe, including Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best Urban/Alternative Performance, the latter for lead single "Tightrope."

After Fun.'s number one pop hit "We Are Young," featuring Monáe, was nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, Monáe returned in September 2013 with The Electric Lady. Billed as Metropolis suites four and five, it was even more expansive than the preceding full-length and entered the Billboard 200 at number five. Monáe then moved the Wondaland label to Epic and launched the partnership with 2015's Wondaland Presents: The Eephus, a various-artists EP featuring their "Yoga" and, more significantly, Jidenna's platinum single "Classic Man." On tour in support of the EP, Monáe and their band performed the anti-police brutality song "Hell You Talmbout," not included on The Eephus but released separately as an instrumental.

Occupied with acting roles in two of the biggest films of 2016, the award-winning "Moonlight" and "Hidden Figures," Monáe recorded intermittently, including but not limited to a part in the multi-artist charity recording "This Is for the Girls," songs for the Hidden Figures soundtrack. They also collaborated with Grimes and recorded "Hum Along and Dance (Gotta Get Down)" for the Netflix series The Get Down. In April 2018, they released their third album, the frolicsome yet defiant Dirty Computer. The comparatively pop-oriented set was previewed with "Django Jane" and "Make Me Feel," the latter of which added Julia Michaels and Justin Trantor to Monáe's list of studio collaborators. Along with debuting at number six on the Billboard 200, the album earned Monáe two Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year.

More acting roles followed for Monáe over the next few years. They included a supporting role in the Harriet Tubman biopic Harriet, and appearing as noted feminist and child welfare advocate Dorothy Pitman Hughes in the Gloria Steinem biopic The Glorias, plus starring roles in the horror film Antebellum and the second season of psychological thriller series Homecoming. Monáe concurrently recorded the song "Turntables" for the documentary film All In: The Fight for Democracy. In 2021, Monáe was behind "Stronger" (for the educational animated series We the People) and an 18-minute updated version of "Hell You Talmbout." "Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)" featured over a dozen voices ranging from those of Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Brittany Howard to Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza and Pulitzer-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones. Monáe debuted on The New York Times Best Sellers list in 2022 with the sci-fi collection The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer. Having come out four years earlier as pansexual, Monáe confirmed in 2022 that they identify as nonbinary. Later that year they starred in the Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion. Early in 2023, Monáe released "Float," a collaboration with Sean Kuti that hinted at the intercontinental celebratory feel of the awaited follow-up to Dirty Computer. The Age of Pleasure landed that June and was later nominated for Album of the Year at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

Janelle Monáe Videos

  • Janelle Monáe I Angie Martinez IRL Podcast
    On this episode of IRL, Angie Martinez is joined by Janelle Monae to discuss her quest for joy, learning to trust your gut, and humbly letting go of...
  • Janelle Monáe - Living Her Best Life | The Daily Show
    “I am in the most ‘I don’t have to prove anything’ space that I’ve ever been in in my life.” Grammy-nominated musician, actor, and author...
  • Janelle Monáe: The arts saved my life
    Janelle Monáe tells us how theatre and music became integral to her life, and thanks her teachers.

Janelle Monáe Books

Speaker Lists Featuring Janelle Monáe

FAQs on booking Janelle Monáe

  • How do I book Janelle Monáe to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Janelle Monáe for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Janelle Monáe, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Janelle Monáe or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Janelle Monáe

    Speaking fees for Janelle Monáe, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Janelle Monáe are $200,000 and above for live events and $200,000 and above for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Janelle Monáe, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Janelle Monáe speak about?

    Janelle Monáe is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Activism, Arts & Humanities, Diversity Speakers, Gender and Sexuality, LGBTQ, Music, Sexual Violence, Speakers by Industry, Virtual Speakers.
  • Where does Janelle Monáe travel from?

    Janelle Monáe generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Janelle Monáe’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Janelle Monáe for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Janelle Monáe for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Janelle Monáe or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Janelle Monáe is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Janelle Monáe for your event is $200,000 and above. Janelle Monáe generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Common, Leslie Odom Jr., Billy Porter, Viola Davis and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Janelle Monáe for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Janelle Monáe Speaker Videos

  • Janelle Monáe I Angie Martinez IRL Podcast
    On this episode of IRL, Angie Martinez is joined by Janelle Monae to discuss her quest for joy, learning to trust your gut, and humbly letting go of past versions of yourself. She is leaving...
    Janelle Monáe - Living Her Best Life | The Daily Show
    “I am in the most ‘I don’t have to prove anything’ space that I’ve ever been in in my life.” Grammy-nominated musician, actor, and author Janelle Monáe discusses healing during the...
  • Janelle Monáe: The arts saved my life
    Janelle Monáe tells us how theatre and music became integral to her life, and thanks her teachers.
    Janelle Monáe on A Beautiful Future campaign and Lollapalooza ...
    WGN Entertainment Critic Dean Richards sits down with Janelle Monáe while she is in town for Lollapalooza. She tells us what to expect of her ...
  • How to be a Badass Woman ft. Janelle Monáe | Cover Stars | InStyle ...
    Badassery is an art form, and Janelle Monae has it mastered. Here are her tips on how to be confident, speak up, and stay true to yourself.
    Janelle Monáe Gives Inspirational Speech on What It Means to Be a ...
    Janelle Monáe looked back on a year of professional and personal milestones while accepting the Trailblazer award at Billboard's 13th annual ...

Janelle Monáe News

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Speakers Similar to Janelle Monáe

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

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