I believe that imagination inspires nations. It's something that... by Janelle Monae

I believe that imagination inspires nations. It's something that I live by.

Janelle Monae

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Categorized in : Believe Inspire Imagination

I always feel the need to give the unfiltered truth, (or) what I... by Janelle Monae

I always feel the need to give the unfiltered truth, (or) what I think is the truth, at least.

giving needs thinking

I want people to know about these visionary artists. I want people to know what they stand for and (that) they are representing something unique, something fresh. I am just so excited about their careers.

careers unique artist

I'm really thankful to have my own record label. I've always looked up to people like Madonna when she launched Maverick Records. Even Jay Z and Sean "Puffy" Combs, who's a mentor and also gave me a shot when I was an independent artist in Atlanta. He came to my show, and he said, "I just want people to know about you."

independent atlanta artist

I won't sit here and say I've never had a pimple, but I try to have a really great diet, you know, lots of vegetables and fish. And I think stress plays a huge part too.

stress vegetables thinking

I feel like Harriet Tubman, except I am trying to free people through underground music, to free themselves creatively and inspirationally.

feels trying people

I love great music and if it doesn't move me I don't listen to it... by Janelle Monae

I love great music and if it doesn't move me I don't listen to it.

great-music ifs moving

It's hard for me to be serious. I can't really rub oil on me and go all the way with it [laughs]. I hear some screams and I laugh to myself. I always get a kick out of it. I'm three feet tall, basically.

oil feet laughing

I have a great body, I really do. But I want to be taken seriously as an artist, and wearing anything that shows it off will be a distraction from the music. That's how my signature uniform, my tuxedo, came about. It's classic and timeless. You'll see me in black, white, and a pop of color on my lips. That pop adds a little magic.

me you black music

Black history is part of American history, and it should be treat... by Janelle Monae

Black history is part of American history, and it should be treated as such.

american black should history

One of my mantras is, 'Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable.' I keep that with me in my back pocket. Shoot, I keep it in my front pocket! I keep it in my hair.

me you unique hair

I'm a storyteller who wants to tell untold, meaningful, universal stories in unforgettable ways. I want to do it all, study it all, and find my place in it.

find place study want

Once you find what you like, it's like it worked yesterday, it wo... by Janelle Monae

Once you find what you like, it's like it worked yesterday, it works today, it'll work tomorrow.

you tomorrow work today

I've been very blessed to have worked with two incredible directors - Barry Jenkins on 'Moonlight' and Ted Melfi on 'Hidden Figures' - and it was a collaborative effort in shaping my characters, Teresa and Mary.

hidden effort blessed two

I spend a lot of time in the future, But to help the future, sometimes you got to go back to the past, and sometimes you got to stay in the present.

you future time past

I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's when I realized that I could actually go away.

think me my-own ambition