Last week it was revealed that singer Janelle Monáe has been nominated for two Grammy Awards: Album of the Year for Dirty Computer and Music Video of the Year for 'Pynk'.
Speaking on , Monáe reflected on the personal significance of having this particular album recognised.
"Being a young Black queer woman in America, there was something I had to say and there was a group of people that I wanted to celebrate, and I’m happy to be representing them," Monáe said.
She added: "I hope they feel seen; I hope they feel heard; I hope they feel loved, and I hope they feel celebrated. This is for you!"
Dirty Computer clearly left a mark, with the record also topping NPR's list of best albums for 2018.
“Monáe captures the bliss of sexual fluidity, the eloquent anger and spirituality of black feminism, the temporary high of nihilism, the sandbagged weight of self-doubt and finally the euphoric reckoning of learning who you are,” NPR’s Sidney Madden wrote of the album.
, Monáe spoke about the importance of working on "projects that you have in your heart."
“If you grew up being rejected or teased for being a science-fiction nerd or geek and you were black, to me this is the time you would be celebrated.”
Monáe was just one of many queer women celebrated by The Grammys for their work in music this year, with other nominees including Brandi Carlile, SZA, Meshell Ndegeocello, Teddy Geiger, Lady Gaga and St. Vincent.
