Janelle Monáe returns to the spotlight in Dirty Computer, an “emotion picture” defined as a new album and accompanying film.
The singer stars alongside actress Tessa Thompson in a trailer for the futuristic film, which will air ahead Black Panther screenings in select theaters this weekend.
“They drained us our dirt and all the things that made us special,” says Monáe in the clip. “And then you were lost, sleeping, and you didn’t remember anything at all.”
This marks the third solo LP for the Wondaland boss, her first since 2013’s The Electric Lady.
Monáe’s career has diversified tremendously in recent years. As an actress, she has appeared in critically-lauded films like Moonlight and Hidden Figures. Now, she is working on The Women Marwen with Steve Carell and Leslie Mann. The film is set to hit theaters Nov. 21.
In January last year, Monáe said she planned to continue to make a difference with her music. “Music is my weapon,” she told The Guardian. “I won’t remain silent. Michelle Obama – having been our First Lady for eight years – set an example how we need to be. We need to be visible and we need to be loud. We’re not objects.”
Watch the Dirty Computer teaser below.