Janelle Monáe, who recently performed in the Atlanta Ballet production of Big Boi’s “Big,” recently inked a deal with Bad Boy/Atlantic in a joint venture with the Wondaland Arts Society. The singer will re-release her EP nationwide on June 24th. The first suite was released last year on indie label, the Wondaland Arts Society (which she co-founded). She’s releasing her debut as a series of four “suites,” which are essentially EP’s that include four to five songs.
Janelle & Diddy at her showcase earlier this month. (Photo: WireImage)
“She gonna give it piece by piece, because there’s a lot of important things that she wanted to say,” Diddy explained of her album rolling out in a series.
The Atlantic family and Diddy both are happy about the joint venture, which will be executive produced by Big Boi of OutKast.
“I think it’s something that I needed to do to show my level of creativity for my legacy as an executive producer and as a label owner,” he said of bringing her on board. “I was looking for things that were different and innovative. Because if you’re a leader in this industry you want to be helping to push it forward, and she’s an artist that would help to push it forward. … It’s so good that it’s not a risk. It’s not about the sales, it’s not about one particular thing.” [SOURCE]
I personally am really excited about Janelle getting some major label recognition. Her music is very refreshing, and I’m so excited that she’s going to get some mass distribution going on for her debut album, Metropolis.
J. HUD ON ‘SEX & THE CITY’ SOUNDTRACK
Jennifer Hudson at 80th Academy Awards (Photo: WireImage)
Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Hudson, who is starring in the much talked about and very secretive Sex & the City: The Movie, which is due out in theaters May 30th. And even though the secrets of the film have been guarded, director Michael Patrick King is starting to spill. He tells Entertainment Weekly that Fergie just recorded the film’s opening number.
“It’s called ‘Labels & Love,’” he says. “It’s an entirely new song with lyrics, but it has the Sex & the City theme as the DNA — on steroids.”
In addition to Fergie appearing on the soundtrack, J. Hud, who plays Carrie’s assistant in the highly anticipated film, records a ballad titled “All Dressed Up in Love” — written by MC Jack Splash and Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-Lo. The new song plays during the end credits.
“She sings it like nobody’s business,” says King.
Hopefully after this, Jennifer will hit the studio and hopefully get her album together.
MONICA SPEAKS ON NEW ALBUM
R&B veteran Monica has recently spoken out about her forthcoming album, which is set to be released sometime in August, via J. Records. She revealed that the new project, a follow-up to 2006′s Makings of Me, will be titled Lessons Learned.
I think the new title is pretty appropriate, considering that Monica’s project didn’t do as well as the label had hoped. Lessons Learned will contain 12-14 tracks, with a single coming out no later than July. The helm of the project is produced by friend and much-collaborated with, Bryan-Michael Cox and Kendrick Dean and will also feature productions from Babyface, Polow Da Don, Ne-Yo and R. Kelly.
I am hoping that Monica really puts out a solid project, because I’ve been a Monica fan for a long time. I’m glad that she’s staying in touch with her fans as well, because I think that’s what music is moving to – artists need to be in touch with their fans. It’s very important in this day and age.
ok
I am curious to see what Janelle Monae is about. She looks cute and their is a huge buzz for her. Big Boi showing he can do it without 3 stacks.
ISN’T B. MICHAEL COX WORKING ON BRANDY’S ALBUM?
“I think it’s something that I needed to do to show my level of creativity for my legacy as an executive producer and as a label owner,” says Diddy.
Okay, are the words “modesty” or “humility” in his vocabulary? Gee Diddy, lets try and give someone credit for their own work sometime, you recording industry producer Nazi. : P
Excuse me Janelle, are your four EP’s going to be 1/4th the price of a regular CD then? Cuz I dont know too many people who will pay full price for a cd wit 13 songs let alone 4 or 5. Just wondering, I prolly wouldnt get it one way or another.
i know i won’t be able to go to Janelles concert. ={
“I think it’s something that I needed to do to show my level of creativity for my legacy as an executive producer and as a label owner,” says Diddy.
Okay, are the words “modesty” are “humility” in his vocabulary? Gee, Diddy, lets try giving a new trendsetter their own props once in a while, you executive-producing, label-owning Nazi.
Why in the hell would someone who has been able to at least generate her own buzz ruin her career by signing with Bad Boy?
Maybe I should take a listen to Janelle Monae.
WTF “Lesson Learned” Damn Monica you can do better than that …damn seriously Lesson Learned….who the fuck would buy that…they would need to be slapped yo..
Lessons Learned??? how about Wise…Vicissitude or Tribulation
I have loved Janelle for over a year now and I’m glad that she getting some shine from Diddy, however I hope that this will be a great career move for her as he is KNOWN for raping his artists…but I love her anyway
I miss Monica and I hope she will bring teh heat this time around B. Cox has been killin it lately and I hope he can revamp her career..
Just thought I’d say it twice!!!
Lessons Learned is the perfect title for Monica’s new album. Now I hope the music and her image reflect that she actually learned her lesson. Can’t wait!
I cant wait for Monica’s new album. Jennifer cant wait to see the movie..
Diddy makes me sick sometimes. Acting like her “found” her or something. Concrete Loop has been name dropping Janelle since ’06 and even interviewed her too. Now he wanna bandwagon jump and act like he discovered her.
Janelle should have never did business with that man. What happened with her and Big Boi anyway and where the hell is Scar at?
LOOK you guys are you blind,? those thes pics are from the Oscars look closely we all knew the Jhud is preggers.
Does anyone remembr she was worst then Rhihanna with pics on the blogs . Now no one has a recent pic of her.
I worked the Oscars as a dresser and it is obvious up close.
Heard she was hiding out, she was preggers in 204 and miscarried. Maybe because she is the person you all made larger than life, she is really preggers JRecords people know and Clive knows.
I don’t have any reason to lie and I was pulling for her to win the Oscar isn’t it strange how you go crazy bashing and lying on others and the bloggers are keeping this a secret.
Jennifer Hudson is preggers and I wonder why she won’t come clean, maybe she wants to get paid for the story.
Just look at this pic real good she gained a lot of weight after filming sex very quickly.
Please don’t hate the messenger. But its the truth, she is phony for not coming clean trying to be something she is not for image sakes.
monica’s makings of me cd was off the chains i don’t know why it didn’t do good i bought 2 cause my sister took one
She signed with Bad Boy……………………….. Uh-oh
Nothing good can come out of that!
Since lots of fans make up rumers, until there is actual proof that jhud is preggers, that story is just a story.
Jhud is an incredible singer, in fact I think she has one of the greatest voices the music industry has heard in a long time. Hope her album reflects that.
Does janelle read CL? Cus if she does I’d be very disappointed that she didnt use her common sense not to sign with badboy. As the name entails, they are no good. The only good thing about signing with them is that they can afford to give her a half decent music video unlike indepenednt labels. Shes gonna need all the luck in the world esp to sell albums with 4-5 songs on them.
It’s true she is preggers, insiders know. I was wondering why no one has outed her yet myeslf. Tichina Arnold, Whitney Houston buzz is Keisha Cole too.
My friend works as a copywriter at a mag and she hears alot of stuff, but I saw Jennifer at the grammys and the dress was for camouflage.I also saw a pic for a shoot for pre-Oscar story and they had more shots and the sid e view relly showed it. It was about where she keeps her Oscar.
Like the other person said you all blew her up larger than life. The sex int he city crew knows, every one knows but you all one blogger did call her ma when they posted this pic from the Oscars, I laughed because none of their readers caught it.
The perosn whom you ahve treated like the second coming is preggers and not married as of today, not Jenifer Hudson she is too grand for somthing like this.
NO rumor, no lie, the TRUTH!!!!!
JaJanelle does not need work with Diddy, he will ruin her career.
Cant’ wait to see this movie.
Can;t wait for Monica’s new album to come out.
I
Monica’s Makings of Me Album Was My Shitt Lol… But I Def Cant Wait For Her To Drop Some New Heat.. And Hopefully She Wont Be Pregnant AGAIN This Time (Since She Has Been During The Last Two Albums) And Hopefully Her And Her Label Will Properly Promote This Album…
And As Much Respect I Have For Diddy, Because He Has Been Putting In Work For Over A Decade Now And Has Discovered Some Very Well Known Artists, Bad Boy Does Have A Pretty Bad Track Record For Not Giving Their Artists The Effort Back That They Put In….
She my girl too, but I been holding out and I am tired of the perpurtrating sorry to disappoint but its trut, when you are working in facets of the industry you hear so much and most of the time its true, but I saw here and I know I am not blind, not that much weight gain in the world I was on the set then shit her stomach was out there at the Oscars.
She was pregnant in 2004, you can see that on youtube.
And she miscarried.
No one is starting rumors, I only outed her.Its time.
Stop hating, people must don’t know what they are talking about if people still signs to bad boy!
Ut oh, Keyshia Cole, looks like Monica is going to play the “just like you, around the way girl card” this album… Though they’re friends, this should be VERY interesting because they’re definitely going to be pandering to the same crowd…hmmm
Hey, I know who you are I even was t he one who tried to tell t he truth about your girl Fanny, I told the truth she WAS NOT pregnant from day one long before Angel posted the truth and no one belived me. I don’t lie.
So when i say something I do my home work.Jhud is pregnant and that is the truth.
She is laying low for that reason.
The industry feels kind of stupid because they built her up and her publicist will lie in a minute, they are hype artists.
She is not doing Tyler Perry movie.
Young folk hate the truth, I been in LA dealing or a minute I know the game.
Jennifer has some mess behind her, she is no saint.She nearly killed for that Oscar, she learned well like Andre 3000 said.
I am nobody stans, too old for that ish!!! okay.
Who sits here and makes it their business to argue with everybody and try to make an artists personal business into something negative… if she is pregnant then okay who the hell cares??!?!?! EVERYBODY else in Hollywood is doing it right now…
That Is Starting to Get Ridiculous…
And Im Not Hating On Bad Boy.. But For Real…
Faith Evans and 112 —>>> Jumped Ship
Mario Winans —>>> Wheres He Been
Cheri Dennis, Gorilla Zoe, Yung Joc —->>> Did They Even Get Promo Recently??
Cassie, B5 —>>> Really How Far Can They Go???
Elephant Man —>>> Did Anybody Know His Album Jus Came Out?? Lol Didnt Think
The Only Thing Bad Boy Seems To Have Going For It Right Now Is The Whole Making The Band Thing
aw, janelle monae’s career will be over once shes over to bad boy
does janelle monae have a single out or something cause i swear im dieing to know what the hype is about, she look like tinkerbell with a nappy cotton ball fro sittin on her forehead, i do know her lil look is a gimmick…
i hope monica’s next album is much better i couldnt do that other mess she did..sideline ho? come on momo you better than that, atleast i hope so!!!
Well I loved Monica last time, and think everyone was just dumb hatin on that album…
@ 30. Google her, youtube her. You’ll find something.
Here is a post Brian did on her first suite last year:
http://concreteloop.com/2...s-suite-i-of-iv-the-chase
Hey Concreteloop! Thank you so much for posting the photo! Really looking forward to all things Janelle Monáe and the W.A.S. this year.
Keep up the awesome work!
-Nastassia
I don’t really think anybody thought anyone was a saint in Hollywood!One things for sure,its her baby and her business!She won’t be the first and she won’t be the last!
mmmk i clicked that link to listen to her lil song, and me no like..she losted all the potential fan in me from that one, but good luck to her anyways especially fooling with diddy’s crooked low down ass!!!
i don’t think Janelle should re-release anything. put out some new shit. I like her a lot, but my friends already downloaded two of her suites that were on the internet last fall. She must not realize that she is a little bigger and well-known than she thinks she is.
Even if JHud’s preggers, so what? Don’t nobody call Jennifer Gardner, Jessica Alba, or any non-black chick a whore or a fake for getting preggers before marriage, there’s so much more important in life than to focus on people’s choices/experiences/you name it.
I won’t take as reliable source some random poster, and preggers or not, she never claimed to be perfect anyway.
Janelle Monae I thought she was smarter than that, when will people learn that Bad Boy is the LAST LABEL to sign to? Lord help us, people are THAT hungry for fame? She’s gonna jeopardize everything she took time to build.
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR CLARIFYING JANELLE MONAE’S ROLL IN THE BALLET!! I was on Sandra Rose’s website, and she made a remark about Janelle’s attire. It’s clear that she does not throughly research her information.
I hope Monica brings it with this new cd The Makings of Me sucked to me following After The Storm which was great.
Cliove Davis ain’t thinking about Jennifer Hudson. He got him a new cash cow in Leona Lewis.SMH
I was a bit skeptical about the partnership at first too until I read her blog she posted last week on Myspace:
Janelle Monáe’s Message to her supporters.
Category: Music
Since I didn’t have all of your email addresses, I felt that this would be the best way to ensure that you get this message.
..During recent years, you have followed me – Janelle Monáe – and my fellow Wondaland Arts Society members as we have embarked on an adventurous journey to bring people together through the power of art and music. This odyssey began because we at The Wondaland Arts Society set out to bond with true supporters, such as you, to build a space within the music industry where artists can paint new colors and create new sounds.
So first I would like to thank you all. Thank you for supporting Suite 1: The Chase. Thank you for supporting the idea of the suite. And thank you for supporting this message of hope and freedom. Because of your support we now have the opportunity to truly change things on a global scale through a unique partnership: a joint venture between my recording label, The Wondaland Arts Society and Bad Boy/Atlantic Records. In addition, Antwan ’Big Boi’ Patton of Outkast will continue to serve as a collaborator and co-executive producer.
This venture is unprecedented: it will help the big embrace the power of the small. It will remind the world that creativity, imagination and beauty still matter. That people the world over have the same concerns: they love wonder. And they love a good story, a good melody, products that are put together with care and engineered to heal the soul. Simply put, this pact offers us a brand new way to make magic: we get to continue trying new ideas in a much bigger ocean. And we’re more than excited about it.
..Our new partners and colleagues at Bad Boy/Atlantic Records are excited about this joint venture as well. They strongly support my message and music. They are also quite aware of my core values and understand that they must be maintained and upheld at all costs.
These values are driven by the many experiences that have shaped my life and story thus far, and I take them quite seriously. I am striving to be a great light to my community, and throughout this relationship I want to make you proud on a global level because I represent you, my true supporters, both locally and around the world. That said, there may be times when I disagree with some of the ideas of my partners, friends or supporters, but rest assured that my core values will not be broken or compromised. I will stick fast to these ideals and will not allow the divisive policies and ideas of the past to marginalize or further segregate music lovers and true supporters of my music.
I feel this movement is beyond independent or mainstream. Soul or rock. Black or white. Pompadour or perm. Saddle shoes or high heels. It’s about altering history through a great new era of music and art.
With these important things in mind, I would now like to invite you to join The Chase- an official assembly of Janelle Monáe ambassadors. This assembly is important to me: you have been hand selected to join this group because over time you have supported me in many ways–perhaps buying a CD or T-shirt, attending a show and screaming from the front row, or educating others about what it means to be an alien from outer space. Again guys, thank you for your support. And I look forward to working with you as we make the future a safer place for androids. To join this official delegation, visit this link: http://www.janellemonae.com/theChase.htm. Until then my friend…
Let The Chase Begin!!!!!
Sincerely,
Jane
great news all around. I use to be a big j.hud fan, but i hate the way she blew up n then ALL OF A SUDDEN left her fiancee. Thats messed up, but the girl can sing, so do ur thing.
Love me some Monica, can not wait for the new album, i hope it does well.
i love the first suite from MissMonae…if it doesn’t work out with BadBoy, then at least she will get her name out to touch those that are only influenced by radio and video stations….I support the indie artist, so much talent…
janelle monae..no comment….J Hud omg how did this pregnant shit start..i hope she is not pregnant before her career kicks off..and who said SHE BLEW UP AND LEFT HER FIANCEE..MAYBE SOMETHING HAPPENED..WE DONT KNOW THAT.. AS FOR MONICA..I AM THE BIGGEST FAN…MAKINGS OF ME WASNT HER BEST BUT IT WAS A GOOD GOOD ALBUM THAT DIDNT GET MUCH PROMOTION! WHICH I HATED IT..SO MAYBE NOW SHE IS GOING TO GET THE PROMOTION THAT SHE NEEDS! GO MO! CAN’T WAIT!
Actually JHud is still with her fiance
Personally, i love janelle monae’s music. she inspires me to write music in many different forms. she really excites me when she performes, i would have killed to see her in new york. one thing is that i hope being signed to bad boy doesnt change the way her music is going. i like the futuristic sound of metropolis. and i hope they dont try to add something in her music that would alter the way sounds. but the best of luck to her in the future. i will continue to listen to her music everywhere and buy the rest of her suites, i already have suite 1 and im excited about suites 2-5.
Can’t wait for Monica’s new CD.
i hope monica learned the lesson that she needs to go back to letting other people write songs for her! i’ve loved her since my pre-teen days when she was just a teenager herself. sadly, i feel like her music was more mature back then!
Janelle is a legend in the making.Believe that she knows EXACTLY what she’s doing…Monica is such a classy and sassy artist.I’m looking forward to her new album and just seeing her again will be great.
You people will believe anything LOL….I was just at the V-day festivities in L.A. and Jennifer Hudson is most definitely not pregnant (calm down and get a life)!! She sung her ass off 2!
JENNIFER HUDSON IS GREAT!!!!!!!!
Im still’m trying to figure out the hype with Janelle. Her outfits are ridiculous , her hair looks plain stupid and her music is wack . Im all for sisters in entertainment covering up but some of those outfits are weird and three or four years ago when she first hit the sceen her hair or attire was not looking off the wall like that. She have a beautiful voice but singing about aliens and stuff is umm a bit off .
I’m so proud of Jennifer Hudson . When is her album coming?
I hope Monica does well. She is one of those artist who have maintained and haven’t changed from then up untill now . It’s sad to say but I think that’s why her album flopped because she won’t give in to the industry . I appreciate that about her .
I love Monica her last cd the makings of me was the shit i still listen to it!
everybody else im not concerned with
i’m getting excited for janelle’s work
Monica’s CD “After The Storm” was the sh!t.
I think it’s ashamed the way JHUD’S singing career has been handled. It took 6 months to film Dreamgirls. They knew right after productioned ended that Jen was about to blow up. It took another 6 months for the movie to get released. 3 months later came the Oscars. Within all that time, Jen, Clive Davis and their people could not put together a decent CD to release. That was a lot of free publicity that they wasted. While she was on the award show circuit, she could have been plugging her new CD. I read where she had actually finished a CD but Clive was not impressed and scratched the entire project. I know in todays music, it’s hard to find producers that actually know how to write and produce for a real singer but come on. I bet Beyonce will put out another CD before Jen. When Jen hit the promotion circuit for Sex and the City, she better come up with a good excuse cause the #1 quetion will be “Why is your project taking so long”. They are waisting another opportunity to promote a CD and movie at the same time.
LOVE JANELLE MONAE if you aint heard her music or see her perform how can you deny her her talent? Why because you don’t like how she dresses…please!!
PS, it took me seeing Janelle perform live for me to truly appreciate her music because I didn’t think I would like her neither…give her a chance!
Wish J Hud and Janel Monae all the best, I can’t wait for the new Monica project, I am a fan for life, 1 record or 1 million thats my girl for life.
My fav Janelle song is Smile, can yall post that?!