Tag Archives: janelle monae

[Festival Review + Playlist] Photos & Songs from Treasure Island 2014, SF 10/18-19

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 27, 2014

As regular festival attendees, the Ninja staff has definitely learned to appreciate a well-organized event and last weekend’s Treasure Island Music Festival proved once again to be one of the best in the business. With no overlapping sets and plenty of room to dance, TIMF, even in its most well-attended year to date, felt like a paradise for festivalgoers who, with the current popularity of live music, have become accustomed to the more stressful aspects of music festivals. Treasure Island’s 2014 lineup featured masterful curation of diverse genres encouraging attendees to check out acts they might not have otherwise.

Check out a playlist of memorable songs to go along with some amazing photos of MØ, Chet Faker Outkast, Alt-J and more from Treasure Island Music Festival below. If you were in attendance last weekend, we hope this brings you back!

Day 1

MØ

Why we loved it: Electro-pop vocalist MØ has been on our radar for quite some time now. As a performer, she has an undeniable energy with a voice that translates incredibly well live. Due to an eye infection, she was rocking an eye patch during her set, which actually ended up making her look even cooler on stage.

”MØ
Don’t Wanna Dance’

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60+ Songs to Prepare for Treasure Island Music Festival in SF, 10/18-19 [Event Preview + Playlist]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 13, 2014

Lineups for major music festivals often boast 100+ artists, which although in theory is a great concept, can end up being overwhelming and frustrating when you realize the impossibility of seeing every act on the bill. San Francisco’s Treasure Island Music Festival, a collaboration between Noise Pop and Another Planet Entertainment, provides one of the few exceptions to this conundrum electing to go with fewer artists and alternating sets at only two stages. Having attended last year, we found this to be a genius, albeit seemingly obvious, solution making the experience far more relaxed for festival-goers without sacrificing any quality in the music. Aside from the unique arrangement, the backdrop of Treasure Island overlooks both the Bay and Golden Gate bridges and has one of the more stunning sunsets the Bay Area has to offer. For anyone who will be attending this year, we also highly recommend checking out the non-stop Silent Disco stage courtesy Silent Frisco.

To help you all prepare for what should be an amazing weekend of music, we’ve put together a massive playlist including every single artist on the TIMF lineup because, with no overlapping sets, you will actually have the opportunity to see them all. Whether you’ve already got your ticket, are still on the fence or can’t make it this year, we hope this serves as a fun, introduction to a dynamic collection of musicians. One and two-day passes for Treasure Island Music Festival are still available so, if you like what you hear below, grab your tickets HERE.

Day 1:

Painted Palms, Noon @ Bridge Stage.

Sounds like: San Francisco-based, psychedelic pop.

’Painted Palms
Anna’

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’Painted Palms – Here It Comes’

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Tobacco (of Black Moth Super Rainbow), 12:40PM @ Tunnel Stage.

Sounds like: In his own words, “I want to make you feel paranoid in a good way.”

’Tobacco – Self Tanner’

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’Black Moth Super Rainbow – Gangs in the Garden’

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MUST-SEE: Ratking, 1:10PM @ Bridge.

Sounds like: Gritty, high energy New York hip-hop.

’Ratking – So It Goes’

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’Ratking – Pretty Picture’

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’Phantogram – Fall in Love (RATKING Falling Off Remix)’

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[Album Review] Janelle Monáe – The Electric Lady

Posted by tylercole - September 11, 2013

’Janelle Monáe – PrimeTime ft. Miguel’

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’Janelle Monáe – Givin Em What They Love ft. Prince’

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’Janelle Monáe – Electric Lady ft. Solange’

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’Janelle Monáe – Dorothy Dandridge Eyes ft. Esperanza Spalding’

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As a child of a drug-addicted father with a Kansas City upbringing, and after early days spent in New York City, Philadelphia, and eventually Atlanta trying to make it into the music, it was apparent that Janelle Monáe’s past was more elaborate and obscured than most artists in the industry. Instead of dwelling on the struggle or waiting for a hero to come rescue her, Monáe became her own super-hero in the form of a George Clinton and David Bowie inspired android named Cindi Mayweather. Armed with a classically trained voice, black and white suit, and a creativity that has not been seen since the 80’s, Monáe’s alter-ego became more than just a form of escapism, but a savior from the ever-growing monotony of today’s R&B genre.

With her major label sophomore release The Electric Lady, Monáe continues to take listeners on a grand journey through the inner workings of her mental space. Similar to her 2010 ArchAndroid release, the android tale continues but with a far more personal take along a course through R&B, funk, rock, jazz, and rap. Bringing in a wide array of guests and familiar artists, Monáe conveys a fictional landscape that is both a nostalgic venture into the great sounds of R&B’s past and a pop-oriented, radio romp of songs about love and heartbreak.

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Hip/Hop
Soul

[NEW] Janelle Monae – Q.U.E.E.N. (ft Erykah Badu)

Posted by tylercole - April 23, 2013

Dropping today with a new single, the eccentric and creative Janelle Monáe treats fans to the uplifting “Q.U.E.E.N.”. It has been quite some time since we last heard some new material from the southern singer and she definitely takes listeners to the dancefloor with this funky tune. Teaming with fellow crooner and the always innovative Erykah Badu, the two bring the fun and dance rhythms over some soulful Nate Rock Wonder production. This is the first single off Monáe’s follow up album The Electric Lady, dropping later this summer.

Soul

[Dubstep] Fun. feat. Janelle Monae – We Are Young (Alvin Risk Remix Part II)

Posted by Max Mayeri - July 23, 2012

Just when I thought this track couldn’t get any better Alvin Risk throws down a Dubstep anthem. The first remix Alvin did doesn’t even hold a candle to this one starting off with a little vocal editing mixed with massive melodic synths that hit at all the right times. The drop is just incredibly massive allowing me to fall in love with “We Are Young” all over again. Featuring flawless vocal splicing with laser infused wobbles that are sure to melt you right into your chair. Today has been an incredible day for music and Alvin Risk decided to drop one of the biggest tracks so far. Please try not to rage too hard, I know it’s tempting with us just pumping out banger after banger. Cheers.

’Fun. Ft Janelle Monae – We Are Young (Alvin Risk Remix Part II)’

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