We’re All Losing Our Minds Over Janelle Monáe’s Grammys Performance
Watch a master at work.
The 61st annual Grammys Awards are currently underway in Los Angeles, hosted by Alicia Keys.
While Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Cardi B and Childish Gambino are all nominated for a bucketload of awards, the true winner might end up being Janelle Monáe.
Her performance of ‘Make Me Feel’ from Album Of The Year-nominated Dirty Computer utterly wowed audiences.
I feel like we're getting a glimpse of what Janelle Monáe would do with a Super Bowl halftime show, and I am HERE FOR IT. #Grammys
— Stephen Thompson (@idislikestephen) February 11, 2019
Backlit by a bisexual blue-and-pink neon, Monáe begun the song with a guitar in hand, playing the song’s baseline — originally recorded by Prince — before joining her troupe of dancers.
From there out, it was all high-octane movement, with Monáe belting through the song while moonwalking, gyrating on the floor and performing some slick Janet-esque choreography.
miss janelle monae with MJ moves WHEW she did what she had to do!
— 𝒸𝒶𝓉𝒽 (@cocoadiosa) February 11, 2019
Mixed throughout during an intense dancebreak were sections from Dirty Computer standouts, ‘Django Jane’ and ‘Pynk’. It featured surprise horns, vulva pants and a mic drop. You can watch the full performance now — do it.
On Twitter, reaction was feverish, with musicians like Charli XCX and Ariana Grande (who is watching this year’s Grammys from home, amid disagreements over a scheduled performance) joining in to scream online.
so good so good so fuckin real @JanelleMonae
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 11, 2019
We are so lucky to have Janelle Monae
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 11, 2019
omgggg @JanelleMonae performance was WOW !!!
— CHARLI XCX (@charli_xcx) February 11, 2019
Without a doubt, there's some young, Black, queer person out there who just took in @JanelleMonae's performance at the #GRAMMYs and felt like they saw themselves on a TV awards show for the first time. And it matters.
— Derrick Clifton (@DerrickClifton) February 11, 2019
And in the crowd, Lady Gaga was…ahem…going gaga.
🙌🏽 @LadyGaga IS LIVING for @JanelleMonae's performance #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/oSAgHDkj6u
— Brian A. Hernandez (@BAHjournalist) February 11, 2019
Watch the full performance below.
For those that missed Janelle Monae’s full performance at the Grammys, here you go. pic.twitter.com/Zz4iZ3icmj
— CRT (@StoryofEverest) February 11, 2019