Check out our Janelle Monáe section for more posts about Janelle Monáe.
Laura Snapes of The Quietus has an interview with Janelle Monae.

We've not got a lot of time, so I'm going to cut to the chase. Can you tell me about the atmosphere you grew up in, and what Kansas is like in terms of creativity?

JM: In Kansas, I was heavily involved in the arts – musical theatre, theatre, a capella choir – you name it. I was a young playwright as well, I would write plays. I was one of 12 kids at the Coterie Theatre to write at the Young Playwrights' Round Table. Art is my sixth sense, and it led me to New York. I was able to hone my craft there and it kept me out of trouble, so I didn't use my creativity to do any bad things, because… because you can creatively be good at doing some crazy things in the world. So I was busy with musical theatre, and writing, and focusing on me being an artist that inspires people and heals people. And that led me to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.