Janelle Monáe, the eight-time Grammy-nominee, is back with a new era of music and a first single that is sure to get fans buzzing. “Float,” featuring Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, is a celebration of lightness, levity, and the power of floating above it all.
Over horns and music by Seun Kuti, the son of famous Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, and Fela Kuti’s band Egypt 80, Monáe proudly proclaims, “I’m light as a feather, I’m light as a feather, yeah, baby, I float.” She raps about her impressive resume and the way she’s “throwin’ that thang in a circle, makin’ in viral.”
According to a press release, the song is inspired by a range of sources, from Muhammed Ali’s legendary trash talk to Mary Poppins’ umbrella to Ja Morant’s acrobatic dunks on the basketball court. Monáe’s eclectic influences also include excerpts from talks on levitation, a toast from Raul, and Bruce Lee’s philosophy of becoming “shapeless, formless,” and like water.
Although Monáe has been busy with acting roles in recent years, including turns in the series Homecoming and the films Antebellum and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, “Float” is a reminder of her immense talent and artistry as a musician. With her latest release, Monáe is sure to leave fans floating on a high note.
