Love, Liberation, and Joy: The Music of Janelle Monáe with the U.S. Army Band

Since stepping onto the scene in 2007, Monáe's work has spanned musical genres including, R&B, funk, soul, hip-hop, and rock and roll. Beginning with her first conceptual EP titled Metropolis, Monáe has relied heavily on the tropes of Afrofuturism to tell stories that uplift those who are marginalized, and to fight for justice for the oppressed. This concert seeks to explore the works of Janelle Monáe through the lenses of Love, Liberation, and Joy. When used to examine the ever-unfolding journey of Black America, these three ideas provide the tools to help carry the weight of a history that is as deep and rich as it is painful, while simultaneously giving us the courage to continue envisioning better and brighter worlds for all of humanity.