Lena Horne Bandshell

Janelle Monáe Robinson, born December 1, 1985, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. She began her musical career in 2003 with the release of her demo album, The Audition. She signed with Bad Boy Records to release her debut extended play, Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase), in 2007. The EP received critical acclaim and entered the Billboard 200 chart. Monáe signed a joint venture with Atlantic Records to release her debut studio album, The ArchAndroid, in 2010, which peaked at number 17 on the chart. In 2011, she performed as a guest on fun.'s single "We Are Young," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified diamond by the RIAA. Her second studio album, The Electric Lady, was released in 2013 and debuted at number five on the Billboard 200. Monáe has received ten Grammy Award nominations and has won a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Children's and Family Emmy Award. She has also been honored with the ASCAP Vanguard Award, the Rising Star Award in 2015, and the Trailblazer of the Year Award in 2018 from Billboard Women in Music.