Galway gets funky as US diva Janelle Mon‡e plays Black Box

Date Published: {J}

Galway gets funky on Monday, June 27th when American singer-songwriter and dancer Janelle Monáe plays the Black Box. Her debut album ArchAndroid was one of 2010’s most acclaimed albums, gaining her an Emmy nomination and including the sensational Tightrope.

She’s been called “a different kind of diva” by Vogue magazine and “a true visionary . . . one of the most important signings of my career” by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the rapper and founder of Bad Boy Records.

Tightrope, which features Big Boi from rap superstars Outkast, sees Monae remind her listeners, and perhaps herself; “When you get elevated/ they love it or they hate/ keep dancing on them haters”.

It’s a hell of a tune from this conceptual album about the journey of Cyndi Mayweather – an android on a mystical journey that began on Monáe’s EP, Metropolis: Suite 1(The Chase) which also earned her a Grammy nomination.

“Over the last year and a half when we were recording ArchAndroid I went through a very transformative period in my life,” explains Monáe, who spent the time between recording touring the world with artists including No Doubt, Paramore and Erykah Badu, visiting cities such as Istanbul, Berlin, Moscow and New York. She completed the album in Atlanta at Wondaland Studios.

“Overall, this music came from various corners of the world—from Turkey to Prague to Atlanta—places we were on tour. While recording, we’d experiment with different sounds. Once we became engulfed in the sound, we all had an emotional connection to the album. It has definitely transformed my way of thinking, the way that I approach the stage and my life.”

Check her out in the Black Box. Doors 8pm, tickets €34/32.