Janelle Monae's Wondaland partners with Epic
Janelle Monae's eclectic imprint inks deal with Epic Records starting with the release of a five-song comp.
Photo credit: Marc Baptiste
The hardest working woman in show business just got an even busier schedule. R&B/funk singer Janelle Monae is well known for the genre-defying and eclectic nature of her music. She carries that same drive for artistic freshness over to her label, Wondaland Records.
Monae has been hard at work for years running Wondaland, curating a small roster of artists that evokes the family vibe of labels such as Stones Throw or Prince's short-lived Paisley Park Records. Perhaps trying to save face for missing the opportunity to sign Monae years ago, Epic announced a joint partnership with Wondaland.
The label giant kicks off the deal with the release of "Classic Man (feat. Roman GianArthur)" by Jidenna. The track will appear on a five-song compilation titled The Eephus, due out in May. The comp will also feature Wondaland's entire roster, with songs by Jidenna, Deep Cotton, Roman GianArthur, St. Beauty, and Monae.
In a press release, Monae shared her enthusiasm for the deal:
“I’m so thrilled to share Wondaland Records with the world. Each artist under Wondaland Records has unparalleled talent, incredible vision, and brings something unique to the music industry," said Janelle Monáe. “Together, we’re creating a new movement and space for the future of music and pop culture. I'm honored to be partnering with Epic Records and my friend LA Reid to present such extraordinary talent."
The Wondaland roster is still in its infancy, but if the artists channel even a few iotas of Monae's electrifying energy, the label demands close attention this year.