Janelle Monáe Returns To Music With New Single, 'Float,' Before NBA All-Star Weekend

The song is produced by Nana Kwabena, Nate “Rocket” Wonder and Sensei Bueno, and the singer teased “Float” on social media in January, Rolling Stone reported.

The single is “inspired by Muhammed Ali talking s**t in Zaire, 1974, Jane’s evolution, Mary Poppins’ umbrella, Aladdin’s magic carpet, Ja Morant’s flotation to the rim while dunking on his ops, Sara Elise’s ropes, excerpts from Paramahmsa Nithyananda’s talks on levitation, Raul’s toast on Dec. 1, and Bruce Lee’s mighty philosophy on being ‘shapeless, formless,’ and becoming one with your surroundings, to be like water,” according to a press release quoting sources close to Monáe, per Rolling Stone.

“Float” is Monáe’s first project since 2021, when she dropped “Stronger” and an extended version of “Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout),” Pitchfork reported.

We haven’t gotten a studio album from her in five years since Dirty Computer in 2018.

Though the singer has been MIA from music in the last few years, that hasn’t been the case on the acting front. She delivered in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and earned a National Board of Review Award for best supporting actress for her work in the film. She also secured a best supporting actress win at the Atlanta Film Critics Circle Awards.

“Float” comes just in time, as Monáe will play in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game over the weekend.

Though it’s debatable whether she’ll perform the new song, expect to hear the single throughout the NBA regular season. Rolling Stone said Atlantic Records confirmed the song would be featured in association promos.