Janelle Monáe finds "PrimeTime" with Miguel

Janelle Monáe find love in a robotic place in a stylized, high-concept video for her Miguel duet, "PrimeTime," the third single from the 27-year-old soul singer and dancer's latest sophomore album, "The Electric Lady." Just days after being named Billboard's Rising Star, Monáe took to the "Saturday Night Live" stage to showcase just why she's regarded as one of music's next big talents with a high-energy burst of retro soul-pop in the form of two tracks from her new album.
This sensual R&B ballad about two people finding themselves in the right place at the right time. The song's video, directed by Alan Ferguson, is a continuation of the epic sci-fi story Monáe tells on the album. "PrimeTime" is a love story based on the early adventures of a bar waitress called Cindi Mayweather (Monáe) and her first love Joey Vice (Miguel). Monáe explained: "The Emotion Picture gives a glimpse at Cindi's humble beginnings as a 'cyber-server' at the Electric Sheep nightclub, a syn bar serving high-class 'show droids' to the rich and lonely in a dangerous section of Metropolis known as Slop City."
She added: "Incidentally, the innovative cybersoul music played at the club directly impacted Cindi, and she began singing and performing her own innovative compositions a short time after quitting this assignment. In addition, Cindi became determined to change the public perception of what an electric lady could be, dream and aspire to after working in the dismal conditions at the club."
In the dark and stylized video for "PrimeTime," which is set in a Blade Runner-like world, the R&B stars play lovers in a futuristic search for love. The site, naturally, is a night club where dancer droids are programmed to entertain male clientele with Monáe playing a humble cocktail server. As Miguel arrives and catches sight of her, and like a lot of us, is unable to pay attention to anything else - not even the body-rolling dancers on pedestals. Conflict ensues, but Miguel's chivalrous nature wins in the end - they head back to his place for Chinese take-out.

Janelle Monáe & Erykah Badu are "Q.U.E.E.N."

Janelle Monáe is back and spotlighting her hyper-stylish in her new tasty black-and-white schemed video for the equally impressive single, "Q.U.E.E.N." the first single from Monáe's upcoming sophomore effort, "The Electric Lady," expected for a fall release. Channeling the retro swagger of Elvis's "Jailhouse Rock" video, the 27-year-old soul-funk pioneer jams while surrounded by six dancing ladies rocking bold black-striped looks in this old school soul feeds new school funk.
The powerful Erykah Badu-assisted jam, "Q.U.E.E.N.," is an irresistible art-funk strut, and also, is terrific - a punk cabaret groover that drops back on Badu's verse to highlight an incredible, funky bass lick and then makes a string-heavy transition into Monáe's unexpectedly relentless rap. It's exactly the type of stylishly futuristic and playfully absurd aesthetic we've come to expect from Monáe, and the dystopian intro perfectly sets the tone for the defiant and quirky jam that follows. Its sexy, slinky, impossibly funky grooves demanded a next-level video, and the forward-thinking Monáe has certainly delivered.
Directed by Alan Ferguson, "Q.U.E.E.N." and takes place in an alternate future, the clip depicts Monáe and Erykah as frozen human sculptures in what could easily pass for an interactive Soho pop-up art gallery. As "Q.U.E.E.N."'s funk-tinged bass line kicks in, the sculptures flicker to life with Monáe twerking in her chair and singing about haters and their snap judgements: "I can't believe all of the things they say about me/ Walk in the room they throwing shade left to right." The clip gives off a very artistic, grown woman, sophisticated fun type of feeling.
The funky Alan Ferguson-directed clip, an absolutely deadly early-'60s mod mook, and explores a witty concept, sees hipster artist Monáe teams with Badu where the two star as a museum exhibit comes to life. Instead of her predictable black-and-white tuxedo, Monáe throws on some Givenchy heels and shows off her shapely figure and  some crispy dance steps while claiming her QUEEN-status. Backed by an aesthetically stunning bevy of mod '60s dancers, Monáe finally sidles up to a sexy look Badu, who's looking terribly regal in all white and gold. Together, they sing about female equality and loving oneself despite social pressure.

Fun. Rolls In Slow Motion For "We Are Young"

New York-based indie pop band FUN. have dropped a beautifully-made music video for "We Are Young." The first must-see music video of 2012 is a gorgeous, gasp-inducing thing, a swirling, slow-motion snow globe of imagery that gradually envelops the band, and guest vocalist Janelle Monáe, who recorded her vocals in Europe then sent them over to the band, who later in the year supported the singer on her Campus Consciousness Tour. This, apparently, is what FUN. looks like.
Formed by frontman Nate Ruess in 2008, the three seasoned musicians immediately wrote and recorded their debut album, "Aim and Ignite," and FUN. subsequently supported various bands like Paramore, Panic! At the Disco and Jack's Mannequin and secured a spot in an Expedia commercial with their song "Walking The Dog." The eye-catching clip and bombastic new single lead up to the release of their upcoming sophomore album, "Some Nights," FUN. serves notice that 2012 may very well be their breakout year.
"We Are Young," a depiction of the message of solidarity and celebration of the underdog that warrants the track's "anthemic" label. The song it's promoting is actually really good too - a big, bold ballad that just keeps building and building, one that manages to capture both the wide-eyed optimism and the burgeoning, world-weary pessimism of millennial youth. Slightly touching, sublimely pretty, the rare marriage of style and substance, you will pump your fists to it, send your bodies sailing to it, cry to it and, most importantly, shout along to its anthemic chorus.
The Marc Klasfeld-directed clip sees the pop-rock group performing the song at a bar and their show goes on uninterrupted although the bar where they perform turns into a total chaos due to a violent brawl when people start to pick up a fight and attack each other, but the band are undeterred by the brawl and continue their show as if nothing happens. he 26-year-old Alternative Soul singer Monáe is also wearing her signature starched tuxedo and immaculately-coiffed hair, she appears in the middle of the bar fight standing motionless.