Janelle Monae's 'Django Jane' Is The Feminist Rap You Didn't Realize You Needed | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post

Janelle Monae's 'Django Jane' Is The Feminist Rap You Didn't Realize You Needed

Cardi who?

431
Janelle Monae's 'Django Jane' Is The Feminist Rap You Didn't Realize You Needed
Janelle Monae, @janellemonae on Instagram

Janelle Monae was first brought to America's attention in 2012 after being featured on fun.'s smash hit "We Are Young." After that song spent six weeks in the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100, the recognition she gained landed her song "Tightrope" a spot on the third installment of the wildly popular "Just Dance" video game franchise. Now, in 2018, Monae is certainly past her "Just Dance" days and is taking center stage with her newly released album, Dirty Computer .

One song that certainly stands out from the rest is "Django Jane", the sixth track on the album. Stepping away from the vocals she showcases in songs like "Make Me Feel", "Django Jane" is a bonafide rap song with lyrics about female empowerment and her experience as an African American woman in the entertainment industry.

The lyrics are sharp and witty, full of clever references to Monae's heroes and critiques of the current social and political climate. One line says, "I got away with murder, no scandal, cue the violins and violas" referencing the T.V. shows How To Get Away With Murder and Scandal , along with actress Viola Davis. The empowering lyrics combined with the thumping bass make it hard not to feel inspired after listening.

Not to mention, the music video is just as (if not more) kick-ass as the lyrics themselves. Monae rocks a military-style costume and lounges on a throne, surrounded by fierce-looking ladies rocking even fiercer choreography. The lighting and colors of the costumes and background create a badass atmosphere and make it clear that Monae is the wrong woman to mess with.

Monae's album comes at a time of political and racial tension in the United States, and her point of view as a black woman is one that tends to be under-represented in the media. It's important for us to continue to support and uplift creative individuals such as Monae who are using their voices to empower others who may be feeling left out of the current narrative being told in pop culture today.

This song differs from other songs from female rappers that have been getting airtime as of late because it's not devoted to tearing others down: too often we hear rap songs from female rap artists about how men are trash, or how other women are "bitches." While these songs may be catchy, songs preaching empowerment will always have a better message than those tearing others down.

Monae's "Django Jane" is different in a great way. It tells a different story than the ones we're used to hearing. It's catchy and hasgot a beat that makes you want to move. All and all, it's the female-empowering rap you never knew you needed.

Dirty Computer is available now, and an accompanying tour is kicking off on June 11 in Redmond, Washington.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

464
group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

1821
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

2489
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments