Janelle Monáe Robinson (born December 1, 1985), is an American psychedelic soul and R&B singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer signed to Wondaland Art Society, Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records. After making a mark with her first unofficial studio album,
The Audition CD release, Monáe debuted publicly with a conceptual EP:
Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase). The EP had limited commercial impact, peaking at number 115 on the
Billboard 200 in the United States.
Her music has garnered Monáe a total of six Grammy Award nominations. In March 2012, "We Are Young", the song by the band fun. on which Monáe appears as a guest vocalist, reached number 1 on the
Billboard Hot 100 chart, her first appearance in the US Top 10. In August 2012, Monáe was chosen as the newest addition to the CoverGirl spokeswomen lineup. On September 10, 2013, Monáe released her second studio album,
The Electric Lady, to critical acclaim. Boston City Council named October 16, 2013 "Janelle Monáe Day" in the city of Boston, Massachusetts in recognition of her artistry and social leadership.