50 unique facts about award-winning, songwriter, producer, Janelle Monae

Young woman Janelle Monae and 50 unique facts from her creative life as an award-winning artist.

1. Her passion to be different and stand out among the rest.

2. Is very coy when it comes to discussing her personal life.

3. Her mother worked as a janitor.

4. Her father worked as a garbage collector.

5. Attended New York City's American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

6. After a few semesters, Janelle dropped out.

7. Worked at Office Depot.

8. Shared an apartment with 5 other women.

9. She sticks to one style when it comes to her look.

10. Likes to wear black and white and a tuxedo-like uniform.

11. Bouffant is her signature.

12. Says that her tuxedo uniform is her form of honoring the working class.

13. Big Game of Thrones fan.

14. She is an innovator.

15. Her unique style is vibrant and demands attention.

16. Came from humble beginnings as a young girl living in Kansas City.

17. Named the newest face by Cover Girl in 2012.

18. Began singing in the local church.

19. Played roles in her local musical productions such as the Wiz and Cinderella.

20. By age of 12 had written several plays and musicals.

21. Became a member of Kansas City's Coterie Theater Young Playwrights' Round Table.

22. Self-produced a demo CD titled "Janelle Monàe: The Audition."

23. Was recognized by Billboard Women in Music and presented with Billboard's Rising Star Award.

24. Has created "Electro Phi Beta Sorority" with its own clothing line.

25. Founded "WonderLand Arts Society" record label with Chuck Lighting and Nate Wonder.

26. Big Boi of the Hip Hop duo "OutKast" was her during an open mic night performing "Killing Me Softly With His Song" by legendary Roberta Flack and extended an invitation for her to be featured on two tracks "Time Will Reveal" and "Lettin Go" of the Hip Hop group Purple Ribbon Allstars.

27. Was featured on two songs of "OutKast" album "Idlewild."

28. In elementary school, Monáe used to watch Sesame Street.

29. Was featured on Sesame Street.

30. Her full name is Janelle Monáe Robinson.

31. Her debut album "The ArchAndroid" was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

32. One of her close friends is "The Purple One" aka Prince.

33. One of her biggest artistic influences is sci-fi.

34. Her android alter-ego is named Cindi Mayweather.

35. Video for "Cold War" is all one take.Emotion of the song brought Janelle to tears, which is reflected in the video.

36. Janelle is a featured performer on "We Are Young."

37. Star Wars mastermind George Lucas is her big fan.

38. Goes to therapist to talk to.

39. Says grace before meals.

40. Her album The Electric Lady is all about her life and the things she'd experienced in her community back home.

41. Considers her mother, grandmamma and her aunties some of the most powerful beings on the planet.

42. Committed to create challenging music.

43. Was also a precocious young writer.

44. Dropped out of academy because she felt creatively stifled.

45. Has garnered her six Grammy Award nominations.

46. Has become one of the few black women who run their own independent record label in conjunction with a major record label.

47. Attended various fashion events including London Fashion Week and the 2015 Met Gala.

48. Began collaborating with Nile Rodgers for a new Chic album and Duran Duran for their first album in over five years.

49. In September 2012, Monáe performed at CarolinaFest in support of President Obama, just before the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

50. Starred in a commercial for the Sonos Wireless HiFi home audio system, and appeared in a Sonos commercial in 2012 with Deep Cotton.