BY MELISSA RUGGIERI/AJC Music Scene
Janelle Monae is back.
The singer-songwriter-actress-producer-activist hasn't released an album since 2013 – mostly because she's been busy conquering acting ("Hidden Figures," "Moonlight") and making powerful statements at the Grammy Awards .
But the multi-talented Monae, a Kansas native who ignited her career in Atlanta, has finally unveiled a new album.
Her third solo outing, “Dirty Computer,” will arrive April 27 (pre-orders are available now). The album will be accompanied by a narrative film, release date TBA.
Monae is dubbing the album/film project an “Emotion Picture” and on Thursday released the first two videos from the set. “Django Jane” is an autobiographical rap banger, while “Make Me Feel,” which playfully acknowledges Monae’s fluid sexuality, pays musical homage to Prince and David Bowie (watch the videos below, but just a heads-up for some language).
Both videos find Monae devoid of her trademark black and white uniform and instead awash in swirls of bold colors.
For more of Monae's videos, check out her YouTube channel.
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