One thing you will learn about me is my admiration for the Electric Lady. Janelle Monae is a rebel, intellectual, and all around Queen of the future. She inspires me to be myself and not apologize for it. As the CEO of Wondaland Records, Janelle represents something bigger than herself. She does not hesitate to speak to the importance of Black Women owning businesses and engaging the community in critical conversations surrounding black diversity, womanhood, masculinity, police brutality and so much more. Fun fact: Did you know Black Women represent the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs in this country? It is true! It is important to have this conversation because if we are not represented in the business world our voices and stories are not being heard and our needs will not be met. Take for example Myleik Teele and Ade Hassan both black entrepreneurs who created Curlbox and Nubian Skin respectively. Both women saw gaps in the market specifically for women of color and filled them with amazing products that are wildly successful, you should get to know these game changing women.
Speaking of game changers, Wondaland Records recently released an EP titled, The Eephus which is baseball terminology for a game changing pitch and that is exactly what everyone at Wondaland delivers. This collective changes the monolithic narrative that surrounds blackness in this country. With the Electric Lady as the head, she consistently delivers funky jams and positivity. Then we have the Classic Man himself, Igwe Jidenna (fellow Nigerian!) who is as smooth as butter with a presence that mesmerizes everyone he comes into contact with and a message that makes you proud. Also on the EP is St. Beauty a hypnotic duo who wrap their luxurious voices around you next the incredible guitarist, vocalist, and showman Roman Gianarthur and lastly we have the high energy Punk Prophets, Deep Cotton. Individually and collectively, each of these artists are here to disrupt your idea of what Hip Hop is and take the genre in a direction that is needed right now. So, when I realized I got the email confirming my RSVP to their free secret show in Chicago, I hoped on a Greyhound bus at 1am the morning of and welcomed the 8 hour bus ride, listening to the Eephus on constant repeat.
Along with a free show, Wondaland has been collaborating with local organizers in each city to lead Black Lives Matter protests. As I walked into Millennium Park and stood with community members at the Cloud Gate I felt a sense of peace and belonging but also urgency. Energies were high as the mother of Sandra Bland, woman who died in police custody, took the mic to encourage and assure. I could not help but let the tears flow as we clapped and stood in solidarity when the mother of Justus Howell spoke. When the Wondaland collective arrived they were intentional about saying they do not come as celebrities but as community members with a duty. They understood that "silence is our enemy and sound is our weapon." A sentiment that they continuously repeat at each rally, interview, and platform they are afforded. As a response to the killings of women and men by police Wondaland created a song titled Hell You Talmbout (HYTB). This is a vessel to use for protests and rallies as courageous activists march the streets. In the song we say the names of each person killed by police and with each name that has turned into a hashtag I felt every emotion. I also felt the release of tension because I stood in unity with people who cared. That afternoon was incredibly spiritual and if that was the end of my Chicago trip I would have felt good but Wondaland knew after we handle business, it would be time to jam and what a show they put on.
The free show made it accessible to people who could not afford to pay and that thoughtfulness is consistent throughout their messaging and delivery. From the pre-show with The Alchemizer, Nana Kwabena pumping us up from everything from Fetty Wap to old school jams it was one hell of a show. Roman Gianarthur opened by shredding the guitar and white confetti flying everyone to the ending with every member of Wondaland on the stage performing HYTB; from the musicians to dancers everyone said a name and stood in solidarity. What a moment, what a movement, what an experience it was to witness the future in the making. I believe in everything Wondaland represents from funky tunes to music with a message it was incredible to witness such a dynamic group of young people speaking their truth. Wondaland is here, are you ready?
