CLOsEncountErS oF tHE cYb(h)ER KiND

CLOsEncountErS oF tHE cYb(h)ER KiND (2007)

by, Delano Maxam, Jr.


Atlanta is home to plenty of stars, but on June 5th Janelle Monáe orbited Studio Nine Hundred as a comet. Rare talent abides in a strong ability to adapt and perform under all sorts of pressure and if you're caught up you'll miss the passing of something uniquely wonderful.


After an entire minute of seamless a cappella crooning, the room finally fell silent, allowing her delicate vibrato to sail majestically. If you find that quiet place inside, you'll receive the story and join in an authentic moment in musical history.


From the assortment of Atlanta tastemakers rockin hip arrays of color and funkee accessories emerged, "Q," a female beat box teaming with opening act Slick and Rose for a final freestyle song. That's the shit you'll only get at a live show. Dope. Queue the smoke, queue the drum roll and cosmic arrival of the feature performer for the evening: Janelle Monáe as Cindi Mayweather, cyborg lover of human kind.


Before the second verse of her first single "Violet Stars Happy Hunting," her microphone went limp. In a dance like APB the robotic Cindi sent a distress signal, still convincing the crowd her frantic moves were part of the show. After thirty seconds of gyrations the audience knew something was wrong. Her manager and member of Wondaland Arts Society Wolfmaster Stanklin caught the signal, doubling from the stage to the rear of Sector Nine returning with a replacement. Microphones were switched, sound was restored, and the congregation cheered! But only a few bars into her second coming the venue speakers again fell silent, the sound cut permanently.


Break!


Cindi removed her trademark black and white framed space cadet glasses. The now candid Janelle Monáe called the law for, "just one song," and was granted access. Finally with her stage she dedicated a resilient cover of Charlie Chapman's jazz classic "Smile" to the folks responsible for quieting the music.


And it don't stop!


Above the clamor of some truly ignorant guests floated her lucid voice ushering Billie Holiday's transient resurrection. Clusters of people moved closer to the stage to better hear. As the last few angelic tones echoed throughout the gallery, the congregation roared to applause! There was even a call for an encore. Girls definitely rock too!


It wasn't the expected punk rockabilly she'll debut to the world, but she made 110% fresh squeezed lemonade. Phenomenally, Janelle Monáe shared her soul, departing on her space ship. "Life is not a rehearsal," she says, and that evening she inspired the perceptive to keep reaching for their dreams even when offered lemons.