Speaking to SoulCulture after sound checking for her first ever London show, alternative star Janelle Monae (Bad Boy Records/Wondaland Arts Society) reveals the name of her “self-realisational” new album, The Ark Android, and explains the concept behind it.

New Janelle album? Oh. Hell. Yes.

Last night in her first ever London appearance, Grammy Award-nominated American alternative singer, songwriter and inventive performer Janelle Monae (Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy/Atlantic Records) hushed the crowd with a stunning version of the classic song “Smile” – made famous by the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Nat King Cole and more recently the late Michael Jackson. – SoulCulture

Man, I need her to drop something new soon. That EP was el fuego.

PREVIOUS: Janelle Monae – Come Alive (The War of the Roses)

Now this is refreshing… some new Janelle Monae for ya’ll ears. Shouts to modi on the hook up.

DOWNLOAD: Janelle Monae – Come Alive (The War of the Roses) | Mediafire

How do I inexplicably stay missing her performances? MeLo-X caught the songstress at The latest Rotts Highline Ballroom jam session.

Meka posted some behind-the-scenes footage. Now here goes the official video from Cee-Lo, Brendon Urie (Panic at the Disco), Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), Travis McCoy (Gym Class Heroes) and Janelle Monae. Definitely a song worth playing when your down. Smile folks…

Check out some behind-the-scenes vignettes from the video shoot for “Open Happiness,” the track recorded by Cee-Lo Green, Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, Brendan Urie from Panic at the Disco, Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes, and Janelle Monae up top and under the cut. The official video drops this Thursday (July 16) on MTV.

Last Thursday, Janelle Monae performed for a wild crowd of students at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Fortunately, for those who missed it, Xi UniverCity was there to document. Here we have an interview with the burgeoning star.

They also grabbed some photos – which you can click here to check out – if you’re interested in those as well.

This is a little old, but still. I need to see this in person.

This is the absolute last SXSW-related post I shall be doing, so enjoy while you can. CHeck the rest out under the cut.

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Now this was unexpected. Let’s let Travie explain…

Open Happiness was created in the spirit of dedication and collaboration with artists and producers from across the US. It turned Coke’s famous “5-note tune” into a full length song. Butch Walker oversaw the recording of Travis McKoy and Brendon Urie in NYC, Cee-Lo and Janelle Monae in Atlanta, and Patrick Stump in LA. Butch Walker and Polow Da Don came together to mix multiple versions of the single, and add additional recordings. This continent-wide collaboration is now realized in Open Happiness. – Travis McCoy

DOWNLOAD: Butch Walker, Travis McCoy (Gym Class Heroes), Brandon Urie (Panic at the Disco), Cee-Lo, Janelle Monae, Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) & Polow Da Don – Open Happiness | Mediafire