Django Jane

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"Django Jane"
Single by Janelle Monáe
from the album Dirty Computer
ReleasedFebruary 22, 2018 (2018-02-22)
Recorded2015–2018
GenreHip hop
Length3:13
Label
Songwriters
Producers
Janelle Monáe singles chronology
"Make Me Feel"
(2018) 		"Django Jane"
(2018) 		"Pynk"
(2018)

"Django Jane" is a song recorded by singer and songwriter Janelle Monáe, released on February 22, 2018 as the second single, alongside "Make Me Feel", from her third studio album, Dirty Computer.[1][2] The song features Monáe rapping instead of singing and makes a direct reference to Monáe's debut studio album, The ArchAndroid. Lyrically, it has many black feminist themes.[3][4] A music video was released on the same day as the single.[5]

Background

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On February 16, 2018, Monáe revealed her third studio album, entitled Dirty Computer, through a teaser video released on YouTube. Following up on that announcement, she released both "Django Jane" and "Make Me Feel" as the first two singles from the album.[6][7]

In an interview with The Guardian, Monáe stated "Django Jane" is "a response to me feeling the sting of the threats being made to my rights as a woman, as a black woman, as a sexually liberated woman, even just as a daughter with parents who have been oppressed for many decades. Black women and those who have been the 'other', and the marginalised in society – that's who I wanted to support, and that was more important than my discomfort about speaking out."[8]

Critical reception

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Writing for XXL, C. Vernon Coleman II states, "The track finds JM tapping into a hip-hop vein and seriously going hard with the rap bars. The singer chooses a heavy-hitting track, as the punching bass kicks drive the instrumental."[9]

Music video

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The official music video for the single was uploaded to YouTube on February 22, 2018, the same day as the single's release.[10][11] The "emotion picture" was directed by Andrew Donoho and Chuck Lightning. In the video, Monáe is surrounded by many women and is shown wearing both a red and green suit. During one scene, she visually references a scene from Sebastián Lelio's Chilean film A Fantastic Woman. After being asked about Monáe using such a significant scene from his 2017 film, Lelio stated, "I love Janelle Monaé and I love her new song. I don't know if she saw 'A Fantastic Woman' and if the moment with the round mirror between Marina's legs inspired her. But anyway, it's exciting to see it reflected — pun intended — in her new video."[12]

Writing for Billboard, Natalie Maher states, "Sitting atop a throne, and surrounded by a female army in matching suits, Monae delivers an empowering anthem on "Django Jane." On the track, she confidently raps about gender, race and the intersection of it all: "Remember when they used to say I looked too man-ish, black girl magic, y'all cant stand it." Of course, the video also features mentions of "pussy power," and raised-fist symbolism."[13] C. Vernon Colemen of XXL states, "The visual is directed by Andrew Donoho and finds Janelle playing the role of crown-holder as she takes her place on her throne, while surrounded by a group of women who look like they mean business. They later break out into a choreographed dance routine while Janelle spits her bars."[9]

Charts

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
US Rap Digital Songs (Billboard)[14] 23

References

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  1. ^ "Janelle Monáe shares new tracks 'Make Me Feel' and 'Django Jane'". DIY. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  2. ^ Daly, Rhian (22 February 2018). "Here's your first taste of Janelle Monaé's new album, 'Dirty Computer'". NME. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  3. ^ Carmichael, Rodney (22 February 2018). "Janelle Monáe Bends More Than Gender In Two New Videos From 'Dirty Computer'". NPR. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  4. ^ Blistein, Jon (22 February 2018). "Janelle Monae Previews Third LP 'Dirty Computer' With Two New Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  5. ^ Day, Laurence (22 February 2018). "Janelle Monáe is back with incredible new singles "Make Me Feel" and "Django Jane"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  6. ^ Savage, Mark (20 March 2018). "Why Janelle Monae is 'standing up to bullies' on her new album". BBC News. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  7. ^ Martinelli, Marissa (22 February 2018). "Janelle Monáe's New Music Video Is Prince Meets "San Junipero"". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  8. ^ Bengal, Rebecca (22 February 2018). "'You don't own or control me': Janelle Monáe on her music, politics and undefinable sexuality". The Guardian. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Coleman II, C. Vernon (24 February 2018). "JANELLE Monae Is In Rap Mode on "Django Jane"". XXL. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  10. ^ Scott, Sydney (17 June 2020). "Janelle Monáe Drops Incredible Visuals For 'Make Me Feel' And 'Django Jane'". Essence. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  11. ^ Puckett, Lilly (22 February 2018). "Janelle Monáe shares two new songs and videos". The Fader. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  12. ^ Kohn, Eric (23 February 2018). "'A Fantastic Woman' Director Responds to Janelle Monae's New Video Resembling His Movie — Exclusive". IndieWire. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  13. ^ Maher, Natalie. "Janelle Monae Drops Two New Songs and Videos, Reveals Release Date For Upcoming 'Dirty Computer' LP". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  14. ^ "Janelle Monae - Django Jane – Digital Rap Songs Chart history". Billboard.