Ok…I’m supposed to be finishing up my New York post but dis Janelle mutha-mutha Monáe has me in low key shock! It’s been like 5 years since her acclaimed last album The Electric Lady, she’s had a ton of success in cinema, and never ceases to amaze the fashion world with her lux partnerships but today decided she wanted to take us to another level.

Dirty Jane

Prince-inspired, colorful, sensual and highly SHEXY – Janelle Monáe came to disrupt the game with Make Me Feel.

Now look, I don’t care that she took her lil clothes off and is bustin’ out as a proud member of the Rainbow Coalition. She looks amazing, has always been fit and has always had her sexuality questioned throughout her career. As a fan, what I care about is chick being true to herself and baby she’s doing just that! She has her lil rumored bae all in the video and is YOLOing all over the place. I definitely clenched my pearls a couple of times but I’m pretty sure I saw this whole situation coming, I mean I am a fan after all.

Y’all know she has never really been the overtly sexual so it’s pretty interesting to see her explore this part of herself. And I mean there were some slightly awkward moments in there but hey, Janelle and her see-through pants decided to shoot her shot. I know it’s going to be some HIGHLY upset mothers out there because Dirty Jane obviously gives no effs and is making it all the way known. Check it out below.

Django Jane

And because one video clearly wasn’t enough to snatch wigs…chick came out with TWO! I mean seriously, this is probably my favorite side so far. Give me Django Jane any day of the week and I will live my rapper fantasies out through her.

I feel like this was also a long time coming, especially after that epicness she dropped in Q.U.E.E.N. and that whole introduction to the video about legendary rebels. Come on, we saw this coming too. I also feel like her artist/labelmate Jidenna definitely had some influence on this woke-Jane we have here. It’s such a culturally rich visual with beautiful colors and strong punchlines declaring her femininity and power. We definitely need more of this strength from our fave artists.

And y’all! She was even cussing in these songs and I’m just sitting like OhMahGah!!! She’s doing all the things! Take a listen if you don’t believe me.

Read more about Ms. Monáe’s liberation HERE. Believe me, it’s dope and I’m too excited about Dirty Computer dropping in April. <3

-D.Wright

Got dog it Bruno Mars!!!!

How is it that you do this to us EVERY.SINGLE.TIME?! I mean like every single time dude?!

There I was minding my own dern business on Thursday and I see the interwebs all in a stir. Being that I was living that grown up 9-5 life, I couldn’t step away to go hear this whole Finesse situation that everyone kept chattering about on Twitter. I should have known though because I listened to 24K Magic and heard that some amazeballs remix was eventually happening in the middle of the night with my 2nd favorite ratchet she-ro (only 2nd to the Queen of Ratchet, Rihanna), the one and only Ms. Cardi B.

I also should have known that when I saw the visuals, I would be completely and utterly obsessed – thrusted back into my awkward tweens, where I loved simpler times of Cross-Colors, K-Swiss, oversized Looney Tunes shirts and African pendant necklaces. Oh those were the days of yesteryear when a scrawny, dancing-machine of a little girl could imagine being the 4th member of TLC and lead dancer of The Fly Girls on In Living Color.

So there it was 9-dog-on-PM, on the 4th day of the year when I already had a lot going on. I got onto Facebook only to see that my old dream was still kinda attainable. The hope dealer of my 9-year-old fantasies, real life, turned out to be non other than Bruno-mutha-effin-Mars! Clearly I’m excited and all in a country tizzy about it. I’m sure I’ll regret my poor Texas lingo some other time but right now I’m in a celebratory mood…#fortheculture.

He brings us yet another rhythmic tune with catchy lines accompanied by a vibrant visual full of slick moves, beautiful people and 90s fashions to live for. The nostalgia runs thick and it just wraps you up in the richness of 90s urban culture. I know this is going to sound odd, but as a kid who lived through that amazing period in time, I find this video like a beautiful ode to an 80s baby’s media filled childhood.

Thank you Bruno for making feel old as dirt and thank you for blessing us with another HOT joint to start this freezing year off right.

Winter hurricane what?! We have heat from Bruno Mars. <3

-D.Wright

What up party peoppppppppllleeeee!?

Ok, it’s been a month and I will try to never do that again. I totes missed writing to you all and was keeping myself busy between the Sounds About Wright Facebook and Instagram. Anywho, all the things have been going on and maybe I’ll draft up a post for tomorrow to run it back but I wanted to tell you about my new fave…Rhyon Brown.

I mean COME ON! We’re both pocket-sized, we both have “boy” names, AND we both had the woes of our college years to build the drive for our musical aspirations. I was sold in like 2 seconds, ok five minutes but she’s adorbs. Rhyon sings dances and acts. Can we say triple threat?

Note: The only acting I plan on doing is voiceover work for Disney cartoons but this girl it the real deal!

This cute little nugget has apparently been on the scene in LA for quite some time, acting and singing on a couple very popular shows, and released her Pretty Girl film just last week! Needless to say it’s winning over hearts and ears with each passing day.

I don’t want to dive in too deep right now, but check it out! She has a great story that is so relatable and easy to follow. You can absolutely feel her authenticity which is definitely rare for me to experience from these cute little pop-tarts born and bred from the glitzy streets of Los Angeles. However, this girl is different. She’s got a good blend of slick and real going on here. Rhyon comes off as a young woman with a message, a journey to share and a spirit that can spread some much needed light in the ever so dark world of entertainment.

Let me know what you think! I’m excited to hear from you. <3

-D.Wright

I’m not much of a Taylor Swift fan, I mean I’m not technically in her demo of listeners…but when I heard she was coming out with a new song for her upcoming album release, I was interested in seeing where she would take her creative direction.

Then the internet blew up. Two Wednesdays ago, clips of her “controversial” single and press was released around Taylor’s new visual for “Look What You Made Me Do” and social media did not disappoint with there reaction. People were big mad. The memes were savage, and the think-piecies overflowed with criticism of Taylor’s whole victim-image and rip-off Lemonade persona. Dude, they even dubbed her video Minute Maid. And yes, I laughed because it was clever as all get out (#IAintSorry) but the criticism was so raw even Joseph Kahn felt the need to step in and defend their work.

You know what though…I love music so I watched it. Even past the whole “I don’t like your tilted stage” line (giggles). I’m sitting there like “ohhhh she really thinks she’s doing something.” I mean everyone knows they hate each other and we’re all sadly entertained by it but I was hoping it wouldn’t be all she would lead with. And I’m glad to say it wasn’t. Tay-Tay went all kinds of cray cray and with her video and there were secret messages galore. Exciting, I know right. If you’re a Swifty, you can check out a few of them HERE or HERE.

Now you might be wondering how I personally feel about the song and the clip. It’s not for me but I get it. I’m sure it’s already #1 on the charts, her fans adore her. The video did give me a few chuckles and it was not as Beyoncé-esk as one might think. Kahn was right. People call it genius, I just call it well directed. It’s not hard to reference things in the video if you follow her story. It didn’t use enough of my brain cells for me to think it was deep. I just know she’s definitely got a chip on her shoulder and is telling the world little nice Tay-Tay is dead. Now she’s sassy, edgy Tay-Tay that twirls with “the kids” and doesn’t need to play guitar or write hit songs for huge pop stars to prove she’s hot. Yeah girl, go you! And by the way…I still don’t know “what they made her do.” Kill her old self and bring out her inner tigress? I dunno, maybe that.

Anywho, give it a go for yourself and leave me your thoughts below! <3

-D.Wright

So what can I say that hasn’t already been said about the immensely talented Montina? I can barely collect my thoughts. I guess I’ll just start with the obvious… this girl can sang her face off! It’s no surprise why Beyoncé tapped Montina to join her team as a background vocalist over 13 years ago.

Montina has, since then, sang alongside Queen Bey and taken the world by storm with sold out tours and legendary performances a singer could only dream of. With all of her success and accomplishments, that didn’t seem to be enough. Montina released her 2016 project, simply titled, “Closer“ as a marker for where she was in womanhood and as testament to the life she lived. Shameless plug and humble brag: I was fortunate to write with her on two songs and she is more than freakishly talented, she’s a true sweetheart.

So now what is Ms. Montina up to? She’s taking no prisoners with her newly released, gut-punching ballad “Grass is Greener.” Montina is laying it out there for women who have experienced heartbreak and infidelity with a clear message…

[su_quote cite=”I made sure, my grass was greener next door.”][/su_quote]

You hear a rawness from Montina that breaks away from her legendary cool tone and smooth vocals. Montina is stepping out in more ways than one and I’m excited to hear what she reveals for her follow up. Click here to download the song on iTunes! <3

-D.Wright