Janelle Monáe’s Rolling Stone Cover: ‘I’m Much Happier’ Topless

Janelle Monáe has been a hot topic as of late for their sexy “Lipstick Lover” visual, their NSFW video celebrating their album, and now Rolling Stone’s June cover where they are topless. For their RS cover story, the triple threat explained why they’ve felt more sexually liberated publicly in recent days.

“I’m much happier when my t——s are out and I can run around free,” they said.

While the public has witnessed a “self renaissance,” according to the Dirty Computer creator, this is nothing out the ordinary. “Even when I was really, really wearing only suits, I was either in a suit or you would find me at my own parties naked. It was no in-between.”

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Monáe got the concept for her newest release “Lipstick Lover” at a party she told the music publication.

“I have a whole spreadsheet with 50 to almost 100 experiences that I had at this party,” they explained. “I’ve been a Lipstick Lover. I wear red lipsticks at the parties. I’ve had moments where if me and a girl or an energy want to engage, you’re going to see lipstick. […] I remember how it felt when I got kissed on my neck with red lipstick. I remember how I went to bed feeling. It was a deep rouge. It wasn’t matte. I remember the way the person looked. And I was like, ‘That’s a f—— song.'”

“Lipstick Lover” follows the new LP’s first single, “Float,” which was released in February. Monáe spoke of the mindset she was in, while she was working on her new album and what she wishes for fans to take from her newest project.

“All the songs were written from such an honest space,” Monáe said of her new record, per Pitchfork. “So I hope that people feel that when they listen to the music, that they feel that when they come and, you know, counter with me when I’m around, I definitely have had an opportunity to evolve and grow and to tap into the things that bring me pleasure, the things that perhaps I should rethink and rework.”

The Age of Pleasure is out June 9.

Watch the visual to “Lipstick Lover” below:

The Best Hip-Hop and R&B Songs Of April 2023, Ranked

• 10. "Da Girls" (Remix) - Ciara ft. Lola Brooke and Lady London

  Ciara enlisted Lola Brooke and Lady London for the remix of “Da Girls.” This was the first time all three artists linked up on a record. “Lola and Lady London are special,” Ciara said about the two rising emcees per RatedRNB. “They each bring a unique star quality to everything they do. From the tone of their voices to the fire verses, they spoke life into this record for all da girls around the world.”

• 9. "Give It To Me" - Miguel

  Miguel is back with a new single titled “Give It To Me.” The R&B artist has not released a full-length project since 2017’s War & Leisure. His last project was his 2021 EP Art Dealer Chic Vol. 4. However, his 2010 single “Sure Thing,” went viral on TikTok this year and currently sits at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• 8. "Chemical" - Post Malone

  Post Malone dropped his first song of 2023 with “Chemical.” The New York native just finished touring last year in support of his 2022 LP Twelve Carat Toothache. “Chemical” is different from the artist’s usual sound as it has upbeat pop-rock elements introduced. The new record will act as the lead single to the rapper’s upcoming fifth studio album.

• 7. "Alone" - Kim Petras ft. Nicki Minaj

  Nicki Minaj joined Kim Petras for “Alone” marking their first collaboration together. For Nicki, this follows her feature on Ice Spice’s “Princess Diana.” “Alone” is Petras’ second single of 2023 following her record “brrr” which was released in January.

• 6. "Double Fantasy" - The Weeknd ft. Future

  For The Weeknd’s upcoming HBO drama The Idol, he and Future linked up to create “Double Fantasy.” The Weeknd performed it for the first time during Metro Boomin’s Coachella set. “Double Fantasy” marks The Weeknd and Future’s fifth collaboration after the two first came together as featured artists on producer Mike WiLL Made-It‘s 2015 single “Drinks on Us,” which also featured Swae Lee.

• 5. "Kill Bill" Remix - SZA ft. Doja Cat

  Doja Cat hopped on SZA’s SOS hit “Kill Bill” making it her first 2023 appearance. The two previously collaborated on the Grammy-winning “Kiss Me More.” SZA earned her first No. 1 Billboard hit with the original “Kill Bill” this month.

• 4. "Empire State Of Mind" Remix - Jay-Z

  Jay-Z remixed his 2009 hit “Empire State of Mind.” The hip-hop icon performed the remixed version in Paris at the Louis Vuitton Foundation to mark the opening of the “Basquiat x Warhol. Painting Four Hands” exhibition. The new version has been officially released which features Gil Scott-Heron’s iconic I’m New Here song “New York Is Killing Me.” The original “Empire State Of Mind” features Alicia Keys. The song was nominated for three awards but won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song at the 53rd Grammy Awards ceremony. The song was originally on Jay’s The Blueprint 3.

• 3. "Put It On Da Floor" - Latto

  Latto dropped “Put It On Da Floor” in April which fueled a beef between her and Coi Leray. The two later made amends but it ended working in the Atlanta native’s favor as she scored her first No. 1 on the Hot Trending Songs chart.

• 2. "Search & Rescue" - Drake

  Drake dropped his first solo song of 2023 titled “Search & Rescue.” He infamously sampled Kim Kardashian on the record from her Hulu reality show The Kardashians. “Search & Rescue” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• 1. "Princess Diana" Remix - Ice Spice ft. Nicki Minaj

  The People’s Princess and the Queen linked up for a remix of the Bronx native’s “Princess Diana.” The “Princess Diana” remix debuted at No.1 on this week’s Digital Song Sales chart making it Ice Spice’s first and Nicki’s 14th No.1 hit. The song debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.