Janelle Monae Steps Out On A “Tightrope” With New Material

Robbie Daw | February 11, 2010 2:44 pm

Pitchfork slapped up Janelle Monae’s new single “Tightrope” today (hear the funky soul jam below). Outkast’s Big Boi lays down some raps on the track, which along with the Monae tune “Cold War” will be made available for paid download from her official site tomorrow.

Slip on your most comfy go-go shoes and head below to hear “Tightrope.”

Now that’s what you simply call excellent party music. Yo, Diddy—more of this, please, from Bad Boy. And let’s have a whole lot less of this.

“Tighrope” and “Cold War” are the first previews of Monae’s upcoming album The ArchAndroid, which is due out May 18 from Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy. Poet Saul Williams, Of Montreal, Deep Cotton, and the Wondaland Arch Orchestra will also make appearances on the LP.

Janelle is currently scheduled to join the other lovely ladies of Lilith Fair 2010 on tour. Following the initial lineup for the female-oriented festival announced in early December, these additional artists were added to the roster in January: Loretta Lynn, Heart, Norah Jones, Cat Power, Sia, Gossip, La Roux, Beth Orton, Ceci Bastida, Erin McCarley, Frazey Ford, Julia Othmer, Kate Nash, Lights, Missy Higgins, Lissie, Marina & The Diamonds, Priscilla Renea, Rosie Thomas, Melissa McClelland, Toby Lightman and Elizaveta.