Janelle Monae proves that the best things really do come in small packages after a show-stopping performance at Londons Wembley Arena last night.
The pint-sized 33-year-old hitmaker turned us all into her Dirty Computers for the night in celebration of her most recent hit album and it certainly wasnt a bad way to spend an otherwise mundane Tuesday evening.
Taking her position as the head of the Dirty Computer army – dressed in captain attire no less – Janelle got us all in check with repeated affirmations of Black Girl Magic, inspirational messages about the beauty of diversity and making us really believe that weve got the juice, whatever you take that to mean.
Any other artist may have made the constant uplifting messages of feminism and individuality a little jarring after 90 minutes, but Janelle possesses a certain kind of charm where you cant help but follow her orders and truly believe everything she tells you.
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In millennial terms, she was giving us life.
Its a real testament to Janelles talent that she was able to make songs from her outstanding 2013 album The Electric Lady sound brand new.
When she transitioned from Q.U.E.E.N. into the title track just as it does so perfectly seamlessly on the album, it literally feels as though were hearing Electric Lady for the first time despite the fact it was released six years ago.
Out of all the songs Janelle treated us to at Wembley, none of them got the response that Electric Lady did.
Those gorgeous guitar stirs, jazzy bop and female empowerment lyrics made for the perfect anthem to unite us all and really connect Janelle to the audience at the midway point.
But actually, the fiery energy that radiates from Electric Lady made it more suited to the encore as it clearly still holds a special place in memory for her nostalgic fans.
The near perfect show was momentarily mired by a mistake made by Janelles production team when leading into the Prince-inspired single Make Me Feel.
In one of the biggest standout moments from the night, Janelle delivered a stellar intro surrounded by thick smoke as her silhouette performed slick Michael Jackson-esque footwork.
When her team came in too early, Janelle subtly gave them the signal but brilliantly played it off by telling the audience we were going back in time which was in keeping with the futuristic theme of the Dirty Computers campaign.
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Kudos to her quick-thinking and professionalism but it was also a glimpse of Janelle as a perfectionist, who so desperately wants to give fans the experience they long for and, frankly, expect from an artist of her calibre.
If youre a longtime fan of Janelles, youre no doubt loving that her artistry is finally being admired and respected.
Whether shes on-screen in another character or on the stage as, well, somewhat herself but also an alter-ego, Janelle is always an unpredictable delight to watch.
She presented herself as royalty thus, we shall treat her as such.
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