5 Things We Need From Janelle Monáe's Pride 2020 Performance
Last Friday, March 6, will go down in history as a holy day. That was when Janelle Monáe was confirmed as the headliner for Pride Island 2020, meaning the queer archandroid queen will take her musical talents (and hopefully her pussy pants) to New York City in June for what promises to be a monumental performance.
"Pride means so much to so many of us, and to have the opportunity to share my live performance during Pride has always been a dream," Monáe said in a press statement. "Celebrating Pride in NYC is a rite of passage for a queer person. I am grateful for the community it creates, and I can’t wait to party with everyone."
While we have no idea what to expect when she rolls into town, we've been fantasizing about what our dream Janelle concert would look like for days. Behold, our wish list, in order from very important to "our lives depend on it."
A deep cut (or two, or three) from her discography
Years before 2018's Dirty Computer scored her some major Grammy noms and lots of love from the LGBTQ community, Monáe was already slaying the competition. We'd looove to see her perform a deep(er) cut from her oeuvre, like 2015's "Yoga" or 2013's "Q.U.E.E.N."
Rapping realness à la "Django Jane"
ICYMI, Monáe can spit a freakin' verse, and never better than on the track "Django Jane." Try this on for size:
Yeah, Gemini they still jammin'
Box office numbers, and they doin' outstandin'
Runnin' outta space in my damn bandwagon
Remember when they used to say I look too mannish
Black girl magic, y'all can't stand it
Y'all can't ban it, made out like a bandit
They been trying hard just to make us all vanish
I suggest they put a flag on a whole 'nother planet
She really went there, y'all. And the world is better for it.
A Lizzo cameo
You know, since the "Truth Hurts" singer and proud LGBTQ ally is now Monáe's bestie, it just has to happen. That said, we'd be happy with a Billy Porter cameo, too, 'cause beggars can't be choosers. Also, can we talk about that Oscars opening number?
Some "Make Me Feel" goodness
Remember when Monaé dropped this music video and invented bisexuality? I couldn't forget if I tried. That would be sacrilege, and I revere my bicons.
The Pants
Do I even have to specify? It's 2020. You know which iconic pants I'm talking about. And if you don't… well, boy, it's cool if you got blue, 'cause we got the pynk.