Category: System Log
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“The Power of PYNK // Logging Off” by Vanessa Maki
“Pynk, like the lips around your… maybe Pynk, like the skin that’s under… baby Pynk, where it’s deepest inside… crazy Pynk beyond forest and thighs” – Janelle Monae Much like the vast majority of Janelle’s work – “PYNK” was radical in the most unapologetic way. The music video is most importantly the most controversial…
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“Black Girl Magic, They Really Can’t Stand It” by Vanessa Maki
“Remember when they used to say I look too mannish Black girl magic, y’all can’t stand it” – Janelle Monae Janelle doesn’t just wear many hats in a literal sense but also in a figurative one. In “Django Jane,” she raps about women’s rights – especially black women’s rights, which is undoubtedly a different speed than what…
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“Screwed: A Politically Charged Party Anthem” by Vanessa Maki
The word “screwed” is commonly used as a sexual term, or to describe a difficult situation. Think of the amount of times you’ve heard the term used interchangeably. With the fifth track on “Dirty Computer” Janelle and Zoe utilize both meanings. In the world we live in there’s always been a looming of disgust towards…
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“Young, Black, Wild & Free is the Dream” by Vanessa Maki
Unlike a lot of black artists, Janelle has no problem being unapologetic about her blackness. She doesn’t dismiss her experiences as a black woman or make light of them. Nor does she water down the reality of what life is like for her. That’s one thing that often gets left out of the conversation…
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“The Bugs Are Apparently in Me” by Vanessa Maki
The definition of a “dirty computer” is very much similar to what Janelle’s description happens to be. Everyone can come up with their own definition, of course. Regardless, in the eyes of ignorance and hate, I’m a dirty computer. There’s a sense of internalized shame in being seen as someone who has corrupted files in…
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“Dirty Computer is More than an Album” by Vanessa Maki
“I’m a gift and a curse to the wilderness when the leaves only turn to brown” “So Afraid” Janelle Monae Brave. That’s one word that describes the masterpiece that is Dirty Computer and Janelle Monae herself. I could go on about each track, how it’s obvious how much effort went into it, but that’s not…