Janelle Monae thinks it's time for people to ''get uncomfortable'' and stand up to social injustice, as she insisted the end goal of a fairer world for all is worth the momentary discomfort.
Janelle Monae thinks it's time for people to ''get uncomfortable'' and stand up to social injustice.
The 34-year-old actress and singer says that changing the system in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests can be ''upsetting'' for some people who need to step out of their comfort zones, but insisted the end goal of a fairer world for all is worth the momentary discomfort.
She said: ''I've made it a thing to face discomfort. I think discomfort is part of everyone's reality right now. White people are feeling discomfort in one way, Black people are feeling discomfort in one way, and I didn't want to shy away from that.
''It's time for us to get uncomfortable, because the real change requires an upsetting and a rerouting and a real commitment to look at ourselves. In this instance, I hope that more white people see this film and fix the systems that their ancestors created that continue to oppress.''
The 'Hidden Figures' star says being Black is ''traumatic'' during the current political climate, and has been doing what she can to ''be of help'' to her community through her Wondaland Arts Society company.
She added: ''Being Black, especially during this time, for me, is heavy. It's traumatic, and all I want to do is figure out how I can be of help to my community. So I've been spending a lot of time organising behind the scenes with peers, with my Wondaland Arts Society family. We hosted a Zoom where everybody had an opportunity to get on and just vent and cry and talk about how we're feeling. These were white folks, Asian folks, Black folks, straight, gay - like a full spectrum of people and perspectives.''
And Janelle is also making a ''conscious effort'' to take on film projects that ''shed light on racial injustice'', such as her upcoming movie 'Antebellum', which is set during the time of slavery in the US.
Speaking to Shape magazine, she said: ''I can never as an artist think about, 'are people going to be moved by this?' I have to be moved first. One of the things I've made a conscious effort to do, specifically with Antebellum, is to shed light on racial injustice.''
Sheffield's very own all girl group Pretty Fierce are still on a high after the recent release of their debut single - 'Ready For Me'.
Three nights before the end of his current tour Will Varley returned to his home town of Deal to delight a sold out crowd in The Astor Theatre.
With only a few days to go before Portsmouth based songstress and producer WYSE releases her new single, 'Belladonna', we caught up with her to find...
Colorado raised, Glasgow educated and Manchester based Bay Bryan is nothing if not a multi-talented, multi-faceted artist performing as both...
Former Marigolds band member Keelan Cunningham has rediscovered his love of music with his new solo project Keelan X.
Wiltshire singer-songwriter Luke De Sciscio, formally known as Folk Boy, is set to release is latest album - 'The Banquet' via AntiFragile Music on...
Electronic music pioneer and producer Annie Elise says that the release of her first EP - 'Breathe In, Breathe Out' feels "both vulnerable and...
Ahead of the imminent release of his second solo album - Dekker, aka Brookln Dekker, took time out to let us know about the musical project he...
Moonlight tells the story of one boy, Chiron, over the course of his childhood, teenage...
This independent American drama has been generating headlines and earning awards for its inventive approach...
Even from a young age, Katherine Johnson's family and teachers knew she was made for...
Made in America Festival is an annual music event founded by rapper and businessman Jay-Z...
Blu and Jewel believe that they are two of a kind as the only full...
Blu and Jewel's babies are growing up fast and developing an eagerness to learn about...
Blu and Jewel live as an idyllic life as any blue macaw could wish for,...