Nothing like a smooth release to kick off the week. Ladies, this appears to be our season as we have yet another new release paying homage to our style and swag! Janelle Monae brings out a new one featuring the incomparable soulful Queen Erykah Badu, for a new female anthem called “Q.U.E.E.N.” The track is on her upcoming album, The Electric Lady.

Ms. Monae sent a tweet that mentioned the song was inspired by “private discussions  between Erykah and [her]. It is meant to make you JAM. DANCE. FUNK OUT. and dialogue later.”

Check out the new track after the jump.

Girl power? In a way. A sign of the changing marketing times? Possibly. A small-scale trend? That’s probably the best way to describe the recent arrival of female artist-marketed products. Who are they? Well, one’s a very well known singer. The other is a favorite of both Prince and President Obama. And the third, has seen her name do a complete 180 basically from this point last year. A come up, if you will.

It was only right that Jay-Z would bring out a surprise guest during his set at the first annual Made In America festival in Philadelphia last night. As curator of the two-day event, Jigga selected a fantastic first day of shows, with performances by an eclectic group of artists including Maybach Music Group (Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill, and Rockie Fresh), as well as Calvin Harris, Passion Pit, D’Angelo, Janelle Monae, Jay Electronica, and Skrillex. However, there was no doubt as to who put on the best show. By the end of the night, Hova had virtually the whole G.O.O.D. Music crew onstage with him to perform some of their own hits, with the crowd going wild. Kanye West, Big Sean, Common, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz all came out to show Jay some love, while wifey, Beyonce showed her support from the sidelines. For some footage of the G.O.O.D. Music set and the other performances, courtesy of Yardie, hit the jump! Stay tuned for a re-cap of today’s Made In America events.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala called out some of Hollywood’s finest last night all they all showed up in stunning designs. The crowd favorite? Hands down Beyonce! Looking gorgeous in a sheer Givenchy gown with a purple train of feathers.

Despite the fact that she showed up a little tardy, everyone watched and waited for her amazing arrival; the true definition of fashionably late. Little sister, Solange was also in attendance. Looking ravishing in Rachel Roy, she lit up the red carpet in a yellow gown.

Rihanna also showed attended the event and was very excited to be there.  “I love coming to the Met Ball. It’s a fun event, You get dressed up, have some nice dinner, and have some entertainment.” She arrived in a form fitting Tom Ford gown and wearing jewelry from Repossi.

RiRi also shared hints about a clothing line that she has in the works. “Designing is definitely in the near future for me and we’re working on it as we speak, I can’t really say yet. It’ll be fun and it’ll definitely be things that I love and that are inspired by my personal style.”

Kanye, Mr. and Mrs. Swizz Beatz , Bruno Mars, Janelle Monae, and Azealia Banks were also apart of the elegant event.  Check out their photos below.

Kanye

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys

Bruno Mars
Janelle Monae

Azealia Banks and Alexander Wang

Atlantic‘s finest lit up the stage for by far the best performance of the awards thus far. The three performed a medley of songs including ‘Nothin On You‘, and ‘Grenade‘

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Janelle Monae’s niche? Yeah, I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I’m in love with this woman’s music and her image. I’m in love with it so much that I can’t even classify her style and I pray on everything I never can. Who cares what her numbers are looking like at this point (I know I don’t), but I am happy the Kansas City native finding ways to market herself to large audiences evident in her performance at the BET Awards and the ESPY’s.

The next single from The ArchAndroid conjures memories of the D’Angelo’s “Untitled” video from yesteryear. It’s different from her previous visual as “Cold War” is just Monae – from the shoulders up.

Janelle Monae teamed up with labelmates B.o.B and Lupe Fiasco to create the “Wondamix” for the single “Tightrope”. Her album The ArchAndroid: Suites II & III, is in stores now.