Atlantic Records

Janelle Monáe is no stranger to the Grammys. The single “Many Moons” from her 2007 debut EP Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase) was nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance at the 51st annual awards show. This year her latest album The ArchAndroid (Suites II And III) is up for Best Contemporary R&B album and once again she is nominated in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category alongside Big Boi for the song “Tightrope.” However in addition to being her two nominations this year, Monáe is also performing at the Awards show this time around. We caught up with Monáe during a rare moment of downtime to learn what the Grammys mean to her and why she can’t wait to get onstage on February 13th — and while we’re on the subject, we can’t either.

Are you excited to be performing at the Grammys this year?
Absolutely. The Grammys is the highest organization in the industry; I don’t think for music there’s another association or program that means as much to me as the Grammys do right now.

Is it validating as a musician to get recognized for all of your hard work in this way?
No words can express how I felt when I got the call that I would be performing. We have worked very hard; we started as an independent label and still operate as an independent label and to have Atlantic Records believe in us and support our creativity is amazing. The song that I’ll be performing, which I can’t name, was written from my heart and it’s a very honest song — and the fact that it was recognized in this way pushes us even further in continuing to create honest music and music for the people.

What sticks out about your last Grammy experience?
Well, just wanting to contribute and wanting your music to be exposed and to be recognized at the Grammys, that’s really what comes to mind. We were still working on The ArchAndroid at that point and all I can remember thinking is “I have a song that would be perfect if I were performing on the Grammys” because I thought it would resonate really well… and that’s the song I’m performing this year.

What’s it like to be nominated alongside R&B icons like R. Kelly and Usher? Did you listen to them growing up?
I did listen to R. Kelly and Usher growing up. They’re both megastars and it means a lot that I’m not just looked at as an underground artist, that I’m being respected on different level. I still have a long way to go of course — I don’t have as many songs out there as R. Kelly or Usher or a lot of other musicians — but I know that I can create music that brings together and unifies all different audiences.

Are there any other artists you think have had an amazing year in 2010?
I love Esperanza Spalding; she’s up for best new artist. She knows music very well and has an amazing voice and she’s an amazing composer and I would love for her to be the recipient of that award. And B.o.B. has also worked hard; he lives here in Atlanta like me so he and I have written for one another. I’m really rooting for the underdogs and people who are opened the doors for aspiring artists to follow or not to follow… so that others can develop their own blueprint. I believe we can all reach the same destination without using the same coordinates and I just pray that more innovative artists get recognized.

Are your parents excited about the Grammys this year, too?
They are. They’re very proud and I’m just thankful to have parents who have supported me since I’ve been two years old and who have never discouraged me not to sing or to be in every musical in middle school or high school. That means a lot to me because your parents are sometimes your biggest influences and the fact that they have always been encouraging to me no matter what direction I go in means a lot. They want me to be free and fearless.