Janelle Monáe’s song Make Me Feel from her album Dirty Computer has become a powerful anthem within the LGBTQ+ community, sparking a sense of queer liberation for many individuals. The release of this funky hit single in February 2018 coincided with a transformative period in the life of one young person, who found solace and understanding in Monáe’s music.
At the age of 19, the individual was dealing with various personal challenges, including their parents’ divorce, religious trauma, and a newfound exploration of their own sexuality. It was during this time that Make Me Feel captivated their thoughts, with its catchy lyrics echoing through their mind. The song was widely celebrated as a bisexual anthem, and its accompanying music video, featuring Tessa Thompson, portrayed a captivating flirtatious dynamic between the two artists.
For this young person, who had struggled to articulate their own sexuality, the song provided a means of expression. It resonated with them on a deep level and empowered them to confront and embrace their own identity. The release of Dirty Computer coincided with their personal journey, becoming a powerful soundtrack to their inner emotions that had long been suppressed.
The individual’s upbringing in a conservative Baptist church and attendance at a private Christian school had exposed them to a multitude of discriminatory and oppressive rhetoric. However, they had always sought solace in secular music, and it was through a Kmart commercial featuring Monáe’s track Tightrope that they were first introduced to the artist at the age of 11. Monáe’s music, particularly the album Dirty Computer, resonated with them in a way that previous works had not.
One significant aspect of Dirty Computer was the accompanying 48-minute emotion picture, a visually stunning portrayal of a dystopian world where Monáe’s character is labeled as dirty. This concept of marginalization and oppression resonated deeply with the young person, who also discovered the concept of Afrofuturism through Monáe’s work. Afrofuturism, as portrayed throughout Monáe’s discography, envisions a future where Black and queer individuals are celebrated, offering a sense of belonging.
Throughout high school, the individual had considered themselves an ally to the queer community but did not delve further into questioning their own sexuality. However, as they surrounded themselves with more LGBTQ+ friends and consumed queer media, their perspective began to shift. They were inspired by Monáe’s unapologetic embrace of their own Blackness, womanhood, and queer identity, realizing that it was possible to embody multiple facets of identity simultaneously. The empowering anthems and expressive visual elements in Dirty Computer captivated them, leading them to attend Monáe’s Dirty Computer Tour three times the following year.
In conclusion, Janelle Monáe’s song Make Me Feel and album Dirty Computer have had a profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community and the personal journey of one individual. Through Monáe’s music, this young person found the courage to confront their own sexuality and embrace their identity. Monáe’s unapologetic expression of their Blackness, womanhood, and queer identity resonated deeply, offering a sense of liberation and belonging. The power of art and music to foster personal growth and self-discovery is exemplified in their experience with Monáe’s work.
