Earlier this month, in an interview with Metro NYJanelle Monae discussed her upcoming album, giving a typically cryptic answer when asked about a release date. She also covered the topic of guest artists and how she doesn't believe in "working with people because of their celebrity status."
Buzzine has an interview with Big Boi. Once of the questions he's asked pertains to discovering Janelle Monae. In his answer, he also discusses the type of artist Monae is and predicts that she's "gonna be here for a long time."
SG: You just shot the new video for “Be Still” with Janelle Monae. Janelle is obviously signed to your label as well, on the album. How did the two of your first connect?
BB: Janelle was singing background for an artist I had signed named Scar, and she used to be around, stank on the edges, a cute little school girl, and I caught her at open mic night at Justin’s – P. Diddy’s soul food restaurant in Atlanta – and I heard her singing and I told her I had to have her. I brought her in and just really vibed with her for some years, until it was time for her to come out. She’s one of those artists that you don’t have to lead the way on; you don’t have to hold their hand, they’ve always got input. I like artists with vision. She’s definitely one of those, and she’s gonna be here for a long time.
In the accompanying video from the interview, this comes up at the 1:50 mark.