Atlantic Records/Bad Boy artist – Janelle Monae comes to the UK next month to play an exclusive show at London’s Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen on July 1. Having supported the likes of No Doubt, Paramore, Erykah Badu, Common and Raphael Saadiq in the United States, her reputation for an exceptional live performance has spread and her London gig sold out in just a few hours. The singer, songwriter and funkstress, complete with full band, will showcase tracks from her highly anticipated album, THE ARCHANDROID, out July 12, including the lead single, ‘Tightrope’, due out July 5.

Janelle Monae is nothing short of a musical breath of fresh air, combining the very best of R&B, funk, Hip-Hop and rock into a sound of her own. This sound was honed and crafted by her creative collective, Wondaland Arts Society, operating as a studio and collective as well as Monae’s record label. The lead single – ‘Tightrope’, a funky party jam is B-listed at 6 Music and also enjoying strong support from Gilles Peterson and Mista Jam on Radio 1 (Mista Jam made it his Record Of The Week). The accompanying video is added to The Box (Fresh Picks); Kiss TV, MTV Base, The Chart Show and Flava.

THE ARCHANDROID blends the talents of executive producers Nate Wonder, Chuck Lightning, Big Boi and Sean ‘P.Diddy’ Combs. Additional guests include renowned poet Saul Williams, the psychedelic dance-punk troupe Of Montreal and punk prophets Deep Cotton. It’s the next chapter to the story of Cindi Mayweather, the heroine of Monáe’s Grammy-nominated EP Metropolis, Suite I: The Chase, which captured the imaginations of fans and fellow artists alike. It also prompted a host of media to predict her as One To Watch, including RWD, Elle, NME, Mojo, The Daily Star, Metro, The Observer and Sunday Times Style.

For Janelle Monáe, however, the impetus remains – to create music to stir your soul and get your feet moving. “Musically, The ArchAndroid is an epic James Bond film in outer space,” describes Monáe who has carved out her own path by following her instincts. “I want to be looked at as a leader and businesswoman”, she says. “I really feel that music and artists have a huge influence in the way we think. My goal is to help bring as many people as I possibly can together with my music”.

Track listing
1.Suite II Overture /2.Dance or Die (feat.Saul Williams) /3.Faster /4.Locked Inside /5.Sir Greendown /6.Cold War /7.Tightrope (feat.Big Boi) /8.Neon Gumbo /9.Oh Maker /10.Come Alive (War Of The Roses) /11.Mushrooms & Roses /12.Suite III Overture /13.Neon Valley Street /14.Make The Bus (feat.Of Montreal) /15.Wondaland /16.57821 (feat.Deep Cotton) /17.Say You’ll Go /18.BaBopBye Ya