Fact: Janelle Monáe Is The Fiercest Pop Star Going Right Now

Trying to make sense of Janelle Monáe makes no sense. On The Electric Lady, the second science-fiction funk installment of her seven-part Metropolis series, Monáe speaks through her android avatar Cindi Mayweather, just as she did on 2010’s The ArchAndroid, yet she sounds more remarkably human than most current-day pop stars. She cinematically dives into decades worth of R&B, rock, and soul, with obvious nods to the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Os Mutantes, and Prince (who appears on “Givin Em What They Love”), and what emerges is impressively unique and, the reason why she’s always more than just her android alter-ego, necessarily alive.

Oh yeah, and she’s fierce as f*ck. With all due respect to Beyoncé, here’s why Monáe is our fiercest pop star.

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1. Because while performing on Late Show, she danced on Letterman’s desk. Dave’s killed people for less.

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2. Because that cop can’t make sense of the android standing next to her.

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3. Because President Barack Obama is one of her biggest fans.

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4. Because THAT HAIR. Every pop star needs a “thing”; that’s hers.

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5. Because this is the only selfie I’ve ever looked at that hasn’t made me want to smash all cellphones.

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6. Because she poses naturally next to larger versions of herself.

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7. Because even Erykah Badu is calling her the Queen.

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8. Because her first album was an android concept album inspired by Metropolis. HER FIRST ALBUM.

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9. Because Prince sent her a singing telegram. Also, she’s friends with Prince.

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10. Because I’m pretty sure this GIF is the epitome of cool.

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11. Because she’s not afraid to brag about her accomplishments, as she should.

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12. Because here she is, sitting on Stevie Wonder’s lap.

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13. Because on “Dance Apocalyptic,” she created a word, “chalangalangalang,” which is very important.

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14. Because she owns a crowd like no one’s business, with or without shoes.

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15. Because this GIF should be the definition of “fierce.”

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