Dystopian Dance Party

Tag: janelle monae

  • The Prince Issue Podcast with Guest Erika Peterson

    As you may have heard, we recently launched a physical magazine, the first issue of which is dedicated to eclectic art and writing inspired by the music of Prince. So, to celebrate a successful launch–and to get us back in podcasting mode after an unplanned six-month leave of absence–we invited Erika Peterson, a friend and contributor to the magazine, to talk about her work and the most funny/surreal moments of Celebration 2018 at Paisley Park. We also talk about Dystopian Dance Party’s ongoing beef with Questlove, and do our best to try and beat him at his own game of guessing Prince songs from their opening seconds. It doesn’t go well.

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  • Women’s History Month: Grimes’ “Venus Fly” (featuring Janelle Monáe)

    We begin women’s month with Canadian producer Claire Boucher, the singer, songwriter, and visual artist (among other things) better known as Grimes. As a self-made songwriter and musician, Grimes is especially notable for her unrelenting do-it-yourself work ethic, which allows her to be in complete control of every aspect of her work: from the creation of her music to the manga-inspired cover art of her albums.

    © 4AD Records

    Grimes has been vocal about sexism in the music industry, particularly for female producers working in a male-dominated field. She has also been infantilized for her high, feminine voice and pop sensibilities. “Venus Fly,” featuring fellow vocal feminist singer Janelle Monáe, is a response to this sexism. The lyrics uses a venus fly trap to represent something that, in Grimes’ own words, is “too scary to be objectified,” a beautiful plant that also eats living things. Monáe’s verse uses imagery of typically pretty things, such as curls and pearls, used as weapons, while the chorus repeatedly asks why her music is overshadowed by her appearance and femininity. Plus the song is an all-out banger, with amazing futuristic fairy tale visuals in the music video.

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