"Dope Girl"

Originally from Kansas City, Kansas, Monáe was first featured on the Purple Ribbon All-Star's Compilation Got Purp? Volume 2 in 2005. Her song "Lettin' Go," from this album became a cult hit and a fan favorite. Her next major feature was on OutKast's movie soundtrack for Idlewild, where she is featured on the songs "Call The Law" and "In Your Dreams." She was also featured in the video for the single "Morris Brown," with Big Boi and Scar.

The Wondaland Arts Society was founded by the Wolfmasters Nate "Rocket" Wonder, Chuck Lightning, and Delvin Franklin along with manager George "Rico" Rodriguez, Mitch Mitchowski, and Janelle Monáe herself. Other artists on The Wondaland Arts Society include the Afro-punk group Deep Cotton.

Escaping from the underworld of her hometown, Monáe attended the American Musical Academy in New York City where she studied musical theatre and planned to pursue a career on the stages of Broadway. But feeling stifled by the lack of dynamic roles for black women on Broadway, Monáe decided to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue her dream of changing the world through her music. Monáe made her debut in Atlanta in the Fall of 2003. At the time, she was enrolled in Georgia Perimeter College and studied Science. She performed at various events in the Atlanta University Center. Her first solo project "The Audition" consisted of raw acoustic production from fellow AUC group BOF (Best of Friends) and from Nate "Rocket" Wonder and Chuck Lightning of Wondaland Productions.

Monáe originally planned on releasing "Metropolis" in four separate parts, or "suites". The first "suite" of Metropolis, titled "The Chase" was released in August 2007 via her label, the Wondaland Arts Society. The first single from Suite I of Metropolis, "Violet Stars Happy Hunting" has since become an internet sensation and is an underground hit.

The album was initially only available via her website and live performances, as well as iTunes and other mp3 download sites. In late 2007, Janelle Monáe signed with Sean "Diddy" Combs' label, Bad Boy Records, who have since re-releasaed "Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition)" on August 12, 2008. The "Many Moons" video premiered on BET's 106 and Park on September 25, 2008. The song was recently nominated for a Grammy Award in the urban/alternative category. Monáe planned on releasing a full length album in January 2009, though the record has not yet seen a release.