Janelle Monáe, a Kansas City, Kansas native, moved to New York to study theatre at the American Musical Academy. Her original plan was to pursue a career on Broadway, but she soon changed her mind and returned to her love for music, an art form which, according to her, has the potential to change the world. Moving to Atlanta, GA, where she met OutKast’s Big Boi, Monáe founded the Wondaland Arts Society with like-minded young artists and made a couple of appearances on Idlewild, where she is featured on the songs “Call The Law” and “In Your Dreams.”

By mid-2007, Monáe was ready to release her first solo album, entitled Metropolis. It was originally conceived as a concept album in four parts, or “suites,” which were to be released only through her website and mp3 download sites. These plans were altered upon her signing with Sean “Diddy” Combs’ label, Bad Boy Records, in late 2007. The label gave an official and material release to Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition) in August 2008. The album was generally well-received by critics, garnering Monáe a 2009 Grammy nomination in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance for her song “Many Moons” , festival appearances and opening slots for the indie pop band Of Montreal.

Monáe also toured as the opening act for band No Doubt on their summer tour. Her latest single, “Open Happiness,” was featured in the 2009 season finale of American Idol.

In a November 2009 interview, Monáe revealed the title and concept behind her upcoming album, The Arch Android. The second and third suites of “Metropolis” will be combined into this full-length release, in which Cindi Mayweather—also the protagonist of Metropolis: The Chase Suite—will become a messiah-esque figure to the android community of Metropolis.

from wikipedia