ATLANTA, June 19 (UPI) -- Singer Janelle Monae says she'll be taking the flag of her extended Atlanta musical family with her as she rides the wave of her new album's release.
Monae's new release on Bad Boy Entertainment, "The ArchAndroid (suites II and III)," is the vanguard of creativity from Wondaland, an Atlanta home that serves as the base for a gaggle of promising musicians, dancers and other artists.
"I want us to grow into a nurturing place for other artists who have great ideas and music and are brilliant performers, and help expose that to the world," Monae told the Los Angeles Times recently. "This project is the launch. It will bring the attention and I'll go out and test the waters for everybody. That's always been the goal."
The Times Saturday described Monae's high-energy act as something of a history of funk mixed with skilled rap ability and singing reminiscent of jazz giants like Lena Horne. She'll be at the famed Greek in Los Angeles on Sunday and is also taping an appearance on "The Mo'Nique Show."
Monae has honed her skills at Wondaland, a place where artists come and go, rehearse and help each other out in general. "We challenge each other as people and as artists," she said. "And no egos."
