LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: (L-R) Nate 'Rocket' Wonder, Janelle Monae and Chuck Lightning attend the 61st Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Sony Music Publishing has signed Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and activist Janelle Monáe to an exclusive, worldwide administration agreement.
Janelle Monáe, who has eight Grammy nominations, co-founded her own label imprint, Wondaland Arts Society, which recently launched its production arm, Wondaland Pictures.
As an actor, Monáe has starred in films including Moonlight, Hidden Figures, Harriet, The Glorias, the television series Homecoming and most recently starred in the horror-film Antebellum.
Up next, Monáe will begin filming the sequel Knives Out 2.
Recently, Monáe has been working on new music alongside hit songwriters and producers Nate “Rocket” Wonder and Chuck Lightning, who both also signed with Sony Music Publishing.
Wonder and Lightning have long been close collaborators with Janelle, and are widely recognized for their work as core architects behind Janelle Monáe’s Afro-futuristic album manifestos: Metropolis: Suite I: The Chase (2008); The ArchAndroid (2010), The Electric Lady (2013), and Dirty Computer (2018).
“As an artist who is constantly reinventing myself, I feel like I’m just getting started.”
Janelle Monáe
“As an artist who is constantly reinventing myself, I feel like I’m just getting started,” said Janelle Monáe.
“I am excited about partnering with Big Jon and the rest of my new Sony family to help shape the future of music in the record industry as well as the fashion, and TV and film space.”
“I have been chasing the opportunity to work with Janelle since the beginning of her career.”
Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Jon Platt, added: “I have been chasing the opportunity to work with Janelle since the beginning of her career.
“I am very grateful to welcome her to Sony Music Publishing, and I look forward to building something incredible with Janelle and the Wondaland Arts family.”
“We are proud to partner with Janelle and her team to further amplify her voice and create the best opportunities for her songs across all platforms.”
Brian Monaco, Sony Music Publishing
Sony Music Publishing President, Global Chief Marketing Officer Brian Monaco, said: “Janelle Monáe’s powerful influence as a songwriter is undeniable – her music speaks volumes for so many.
“We are proud to partner with Janelle and her team to further amplify her voice and create the best opportunities for her songs across all platforms.”
“As an artist and writer, I’m incredibly excited to impact culture, hearts and minds in bold new ways with the broad expertise and resources of our new Sony family.”
Chuck Lightning
Chuck Lightning added: “As an artist and writer, I’m incredibly excited to impact culture, hearts and minds in bold new ways with the broad expertise and resources of our new Sony family.
“And I continue to believe that great music is needed more than ever right now, as a universal language that spreads wonder, change and understanding throughout the world.”
“I hope to help shape hearts and minds with the wonderful gift that is music.”
Nate Wonder
Nate Wonder, said: “As an artist and music producer in the record industry, TV, and film space I am quite excited about this next chapter with Sony.
“I hope to help shape hearts and minds with the wonderful gift that is music.”
Grammy nominated Nate “Rocket” Wonder is Co-Founder of Wondaland Arts Society and is well known for his work as a longtime co-producer and co-writer with Janelle Monáe.
He is also a member of the riotous duo known as Deep Cotton, a punk-funk group.
Recently, Wonder scored his first feature film, Antebellum (2020), along with Roman GianArthur.
He also produced Janelle Monáe’s Turntables for the Stacey Abrams led, Lisa Cortés and Liz Gabrus directed documentary All In: The Fight For Democracy. He plans to release his debut album later this year.
As Co-Founder/Chief Creative Officer of Wondaland Pictures and Wondaland Arts Society, Chuck Lightning is widely recognized for his work as a longtime co-producer and co-writer with Janelle Monáe.
He has worked on several of Monáe’s projects, including the film Dirty Computer (2018). Currently, he is writing and developing several film projects across genres, including the horror film Black Apples; the gangster love story Mad Crazy Visionz; and The ArchAndroid – a science fiction film based on Janelle Monáe’s album The ArchAndroid.Music Business Worldwide
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