AE: I’m from Atlanta and I’ve heard stories about your Wondaland Society parties where everyone comes dressed up in tuxedoes and costumes. Can you describe these events and what Ms. Monae does for fun typically?

JM: Yeah they’re called Wondaland Art Society parties. We pretty much have a huge community of independent artists in Atlanta and they come over and we paint and we share our music and it’s a chance to grow and network with people all over Atlanta. Some of our friends will fly down. We’ve had Solange at the parties. We’ve had Saul Williams, so many people around the world. We’re looking to have Stevie Wonder and Prince. So many people come. They’re a magical experience.

Q: You didn't have any qualms replacing Cee-Lo at the last minute at SXSW?

A: Not at all. I don't fear humans.

In some interviews you've encouraged people to be individuals. What do you mean by that, and how would you encourage people to do so?

I just want people to love themselves. And I want people to seek out love. That's all. To be an individual. I can't tell people -- that's just going against it, like, "People need to be this." That's not what I'm here to do. All I'm saying is that we all have to live in the world together. Consider your brother and your sister, consider your neighbor, consider everybody's feelings. That's all. It's not just your world.