Whip Appeal Review
It’s been roughly two years since the now Glass Onion star Janelle Monae has dropped a single and almost 5 since Dirty Computer…well she is back. Janelle’s new song for the month of February is called Float and it’s an anthem of self-acceptance, triumphant horns, dope rhymes, and tons of affirmation. Let’s give it a listen. Scroll to the bottom for the lyrics.
The Introduction
Float begins with the “sped up soul sample” sound that is typical in east coast rap right before the drums come knocking. Janelle sets the tone for the song immediately with the line “No I’m not the same, I think I done changed”. Her acting chops are on displayed in the intro as she says as if she is still not convinced that is until…0:33.When the brass steps onto the scene in its splendor Janelle says it unapologetically “No I’m not the same nigga…I think I done changed nigga”. She says it so boldly and proudly you can’t do anything but salute.
The Verses
Monáe is spitting on the verses surprisingly better than the mass of drug induced mumble rappers that seem in ever increasing supply. She is comfortably in her “Rap Braggadocio” swag throughout the track but instead of focusing on material possessions she is bragging about self-acceptance, mental health, and personal growth. If I had to pick a bar that encompasses the entire song it would be:“I used to let niggas get to me, I used to be my own enemy, now I done had several epiphanies, over some breakfast at tiffany’s”
She’s making it clear that everyone that she has grown as a person and sees the world in a new light. It’s refreshing to hear rap music that sheds the “super negro” persona and keeps it real about the journey we go through on a day to day basis.
Janelle Monáe rides the beat effortlessly throughout the entire track and never gets off beat as she raps.
The Hook
The hook feels, sounds, and flows like “success”. The horns provided by Fela Kuti’s youngest son Seun Kuti and his band egypt 80 set the perfect backdrop for Monáe to let us know…“I don’t step, I don’t walk, I don’t dance, I just Float”
What really shows her talent is how she even uses her words in a “floaty” way when she says “float”
The Beat
I was torn on the beat as it feels like a low-calorie version of Lil Nas X - Industry Baby. The horn arrangement and bass line are excellent but the drums are a bit weak and feel off-beat during the hook e.g. (1:14 - 1:17). The feeling may be due to a clash between the bass line and kick drum or between conflicting layered kicks…it may also be the Nana Kwabena going for a “floating” kick drum…either way it feels and sounds strange.Parting Thoughts
Janelle Monáe returns to music with a new song that puts her evolution on full display. In a genre where imperfection and growth are put on the back burner for unregulated bravado it’s great to hear someone lift the veil of mystery.The message here is one that most of us needed to hear at one point and time and I my takeaway is that many will come away from the track feeling inspired. Some will come away feeling empowered because of the growth potential in us all while others will be inspired by Janelle having two love interests…one that lives in Atlanta and another in the hills. Yes, Monáe was letting it be known with no hesitation.
Seun Kuti, Egypt 80, and producers Nana Kwabena and Sensei Bueno did a masterful job with the track.
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