Janelle Monáe + Wondaland Inks a Deal with Epic Records

Last week Epic Records announced a new joint venture with Janelle Monáe called, Wondaland Records. Longtime Janelle Monáe  fans are familiar with the “Wondaland” moniker, it’s the artistic engine, led by musicians Chuck Lightning and Nate Wonder, that propelled Monáe  to six Grammy award nominations.

Monáe’s performance success, signature black and white fashion tableau, and strong commitment to artistic integrity caught the attention several major labels. In the end, she chose to sign her collective with industry veterans, Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Sylvia Rhone at Epic Records. Wondaland’s roster includes: soul singer Roman GianArthur; hard funk duo, Deep Cotton (Chuck Lightning and Nate Wonder); sultry singing duo, St. Beauty; and Brooklyn bred singer/rapper, Jidenna.

Monáe and Wondaland aren’t taking the time to celebrate their success, Jidenna’s single, “Classic Man” hit radio on February 16th and the Wondaland Records EP, The Eephus, drops in May.

Epic Records CEO, L.A. Reid says, “Janelle is a boss! She’s the first female label boss that I’ve met who is like P. Diddy and Jay Z and Andre Harrell — she’s the first female cut from that cloth.”

Is this a game changing moment? It’s hard to say. Despite her pop culture success, many listeners aren’t sure if they like Monáe’s music or what she seems to represent. However, few artists, especially women artists, have been given the opportunity to make such experimental music (a relative term) on a mass level. Her previous business affiliations with Big Boi of Outkast and Sean P. Diddy Combs, were successful if for no other reason than they helped her to keep in the industry long enough to hit her stride.

Check out the first major single from Jidenna featuring Roman GianArthur, “Classic Man” and read more over at Billboard.