American singer, rapper, and actress Janelle Monáe released her first single since 2021. The new track is called “Float” and features Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti’s son, Seun Kuti, and his band, Egypt 80. The follow-up to “Stronger” is produced by Nana Kwabena, Nate “Rocket” Wonder, and Sensei Bueno.
In December, and on her birthday, Monáe teased the track and wrote: “Best way to describe how I’m feeling this birthday. It’s float season for me, baby. Floating in gratitude. 🥹 feeling much lighter. Fucked around and got more FREE. I’m not the same nigga. I just … Float ☁️🌊🛸🕴️❣️ Love you.”
In addition to “Stronger,” Monáe had shared an extended version of “Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)” in 2021. Her latest album Dirty Computer was released in April 2018.
Fans last saw Janelle Monáe in the Knives Out sequel Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. She starred opposite Daniel Craig, Kate Hudson, Edward Norton, and Kathryn Hahn, and won many awards for her performance, including the National Board of Review Award and the Atlanta Film Critics Circle Award.
Listen to “Float” here: