Janelle Monáe seems to be living her best life as she continues to embrace her sexuality, yet some people seem perpetually bothered by her recent behavior.
On Friday (June 30), the 37 year old took the stage at Essence Festival in New Orleans. During her performance, she lifted a part of her top and exposed her right breast to the audience as she lept singing.
The event’s official Twitter page shared a clip of this and captioned it: “ YOU CANNOT POLICE @JanelleMonae.” Soon after, another user retweet the video and wrote: “Unnecessary on so many levels and for so many reasons.”
In response, veteran rapper Luther Luke Campbell aka. Uncle Luke wrote: “What is this girl going through? She’s never been out there like this.. is it a midlife crisis?”
In this particular context, it is important to recognize that Luke, who fronted 2 Live Crew, was very welcoming of women flaunting their sexuality throughout his career in music. One of the group’s biggest hits, “I Wanna Rock (Doo Doo Brown)” featured him rapping, “Shake, shake them titties, baby, shake them titties, baby/ Pop, pop that pussy, baby, pop that pussy, baby.”
It is also worth noting that even though Monáe has only started flashing her breasts recently, artists have been doing so for years before her. Swedish singer-songwriter Tove Lo, for example, lifts up her top during every performance as part of a brand that champions sexual and female liberation.
To that point, Monáe has explained that she is comfortable in her own skin and has no regrets about baring her breasts — in fact, she said she is “much happier” showing them off.
The singer and actress recently spoke with Rolling Stone about her new album, The Age Of Pleasure. During the conversation, Monáe discussed entering an era of sexual liberation and freedom.
She also discussed receiving backlash for flashing her breasts at an event celebrating the release of her new single and music video, “Lipstick Lover.”
The “Tightrope” singer has remained unbothered by criticism of the NSFW promotional campaign for her new album. “I’m much happier when my titties are out and I can run around free,” she told Rolling Stone.
That said, Uncle Luke’s comments will most likely have no bearing on Monáe, who seems to be in a great place overall.
Dumb hoe lookin for attention cause her music ain’t relevant no more SMH
And here you are on the internet trolling. She’s winning and living her best life.
It’s her passageway into the Illuminati that’s all. Celebs have to do stuff like this so their careers may have access to more avenues.
She was always corny, now she’s just desperate.
Album wack as a duck, back to the titties. I was a big fan since day 1. She ducked up tho
This f@g wanna raise these “ebony queens” now ? It’s too late buddy
Uncle Luke, you dissapoint me with that comment. As someone who experienced the 90’s, I can tell you that we need to bring things back to how it was before feminism. More wardrobe malfunctions and rappers getting sucked off for free on stage please…
Oh noooooo! Not a booOOOoOoooOOoOOb!!!!
Grow up. Save that selective outrage for something that deserves it.
Lol right I can see if it was her vagina but a breast and people are losing their damn minds smh
Are we more than twerkers and exhibitionist Are we more. Can we be about class with the ass making an guest appearance. Sure. Express yourself do you boo. Be as nasty as you want to be but. Fact is time will come the breast will drop ass Ain’t that tight so who will you be. Hmm. Let see how that works out.