Janelle Monae Says "Q.U.E.E.N." Is for the "Ostracized & Marginalized"
FUSE TV - Janelle Monae Says "Q.U.E.E.N." Is for the "Ostracized & Marginalized"
Atlanta R&B whiz Janelle Monae scored her highest-charting album yet with The Electric Lady, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 this week. The album was led by the funky single "Q.U.E.E.N.," a title that stands for much more than just a powerful female.
"'Q.U.E.E.N.' definitely is an acronym," Monae explains during an interview at Fuse HQ. "It's for those who are marginalized." She says the "Q" represents the queer community, the "U" for the untouchables, the "E" for emigrants, the second "E" for the excommunicated and the "N" for those labeled as negroid.
"It's for everyone who's felt ostracized," she adds. "I wanted to create something for people who feel like they want to give up because they're not accepted by society."
While the 27-year-old closes the soul track with a fiery rap section ("March to the streets / Cause I'm willing and I'm able / Categorize me / I defy every label!"), Monae says she's hesitant to call herself a rapper. Or even a singer for that matter.
"I just like to communicate," she says. "If the lyrics call for something more urgent, which that rap did, then I'll take that route. I wanted to make sure, just in case, if anyone had any questions about what this song was about that I was able to bring it home with the message."
In the full interview Monae also talks about working with Erykah Badu and filming the track's music video. Watch above. And in case you missed it, check out the full "Q.U.E.E.N" video below.
20m
Don Q
22m
In Your B.A.S.E.
44m
The Winner Is…
20m
Young R.E.A.D Feat.Young M.A
1h 25m
The Gig Is Up
21m
All the Focus is on the Diamonds
42m
Down n Dirty
41m
The Queen Diva Is Back
20m
Sai
24m
Run for the Border
30s
Fuse+ is the Home for Big Freedia Means Business, Sex Sells, Made From Scratch & More!
51s
Is Nya A Baller On The Low?
6m
LGBTQIA Community, What Is The New Norm?
24m
Say What?!?
20m
Polo G Makes Mac-n-Cheese
2m
The Grind Never Stops When for the Queen Diva
23m
Gay Pride for the Gay Bride
20m
Never Say Die
2m
Yesenia Mentally Prepares For The Rose Bowl
1m
Clash of The Corps Is Putting DCI Stereotypes To Rest
57m
Ben & Jen: Never Say Never
21m
Fare is Fair
8m
Who is Hypeman?
21m
G Is Shot
2m
DaCav Hits The Stage For An Electrifying Performance
2m
Is Tossing Your Man's Salad The Way To His Heart: Dear Bambiana
1h 35m
My Name is Pedro
57m
Jasmine Is a Star
41m
Prince: My Name Is
20m
Is Everyone on Drugs?
21m
This Is A Sex Toy
1m
My Name is Pedro - Trailer
1m
If Clash of the Corps Stars Could Role-Play For A Day
1m
What Does The Transcendent Star Look For In A Man: Dear Bambiana
4m
Wearing Sleeveless Shirts Is A CRIME!
3m
Is Freedia Stretching Herself too Thin?
21m
Why Is He Blowing Me Kisses?
22m
Ready For Action
44m
Hot For Hollywood
1h 21m
Asking For It
20m
Checking for CHIKA
10m
Joe Jonas' Dream Girl Is A Nightmare
1m
This Is How A DCI Marimbist Rolls
14m
Where Is It Illegal To Eat Frogs?!
17m
Is There Cultural Appropriation In Plastic Surgery?
7m
Jailed For Playing Bingo?
2m
Asking For It - Trailer
20m
Make Room for Roomie
6m
Where Is It ILLEGAL to Send Unwanted Pizzas?
7m
Is It Illegal To Trip A Horse Up?
1h 45m
The River and the Wall
1h 2m
The Beatles: In the Life
2m
The Best of The Best Clash
1m
The Blue Devils Bring The Parade
20m
A Time For RO-mance
1h 21m
All You Ever Wished For
1m
Hard Times for Milk & Poster
The 212
1h 21m
The Feels
44m
The Decision
45m
The Reunion
21m
The Pilot
20m
The Hustle
1h 27m
The Exchange
1h 20m
The FP
The Canvas
1h 34m
The Citizen
23m
The Motorcycle
1m
The Ladies Play "Fill In The Blanks"
1m
Dublab Is Internet Radio Like You've Never Heard Before
42m
Ugly Sweaters Make for Beautiful Attire
2m
All You Ever Wished For - Trailer
20m
Out With The Old, In With The New
2m
The Hilarious Reality of the American Rat Race
1m
The Feels - Trailer
24m
Who's the Boss?
46m
Making the Cut
20m
Missy: The Icon
21m
Meet The Family
1h 23m
The Prison Within
59s
The 212 - Trailer
1h 22m
The Right Girls
21m
Rock the Bells
23m
The Great Director
1h 3m
The Third Strike
48m
Meet The Jets
22m
Behind The Snow
1h 36m
The All-Americans
1h 30m
Crossed the Line
20m
Making The Retrograde
21m
Enter the Metaverse
20m
The Vest Guest
21m
Into The Woods
20m
Facing The Truth
1h 17m
The Revolution Generation
20m
Rich The Kid
57m
Pink: The Truth
1h 7m
The Daphne Project
1h 22m
Between the Shades
57s
