“There was once a time when I didn’t feel empowered as a young African-American woman. So I wrote this song so that you, no matter what your color is, all women and young girls can find their power,” said Janelle Monáe before performing “Cold War” at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, earlier this month.

Dressed in her signature black-and-white tux, the Grammy-nominated singer also delivered her single “Tightrope” and a cover of the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” before the prestigious female honorees. In addition, she joined Sugarland, David Gray, Jill Scott, Ellie Goulding, and more during the all-star finale of Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up.”

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In the second part of her interview with Rap-Up TV, Estelle gives us two more reasons to look forward to her third album All of Me. The British songstress breaks down collaborations with Common and Janelle Monáe.

One of her favorite tracks is the motivational “Victorious” featuring Common and produced by No I.D. “That song makes you feel like you can fly off a balcony,” explains Estelle. “This song is about saying we made our own way and we’re victorious. This is what we do.”

She also calls on Janelle Monáe for the Ne-Yo-penned “Do My Thing,” which was inspired by her humble beginnings living in her mother’s garage to starting a successful life of her own in the U.S.

“I was trying to write the song and it was just coming out too aggressive. I didn’t want people to leave with a bad taste,” says Estelle, who sang a few lines. “I asked Ne-Yo to write the song and he came back in an hour as he does.”

She felt a connection to the “Tightrope” singer that made working with her even easier. “As another black girl she is so singular. She’s genuinely nice and I understood where she was coming from with her style and her energy, and I feel that she got me too.”

Previous: Estelle Swept Away by Rick Ross, Brought to Tears by Akon

Robin Thicke has been busy enjoying family time with his wife Paula Patton and their 15-month-old son Julian. But the new dad has also been quietly recording his fifth album, due in late 2011/early 2012. “You get to that point where you hate it and then you love it. It’s just like any important relationship in your life,” Robin told Rap-Up TV at the launch of Pharrell’s Qream liqueur.

He’s also hoping his Star Trak boss will add his platinum touch before it arrives. “He’s heard the album so he wants to get something on there,” he said of Skateboard P.

During his time away from the spotlight, the smooth operator discovered Janelle Monáe. “I just got into Janelle Monáe. I had no idea. I heard a lot about her, but I actually just started listening to her myself and really enjoying her music,” he shared.

And while he wishes his son will become the next Kobe Bryant, he will be happy if he follows in his father’s footsteps. “Dwyane Wade, LeBron, any of that would be wonderful. But if not, I’ll take Marvin Gaye,” he joked, adding that his musical talents are already rubbing off. “He’s dancing, he’s singing, he’s kicking. He wants to go in the studio every day and put the headphones on. He loves it.”

The pairing of Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe proved to be a winning combination. During the first stop of their co-headlining “Hooligans in Wondaland” tour at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on Wednesday night (May 4), the charismatic performers brought their high-caliber energy to the stage, affirming that quality shows are far from over.

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Big Boi and Janelle Monáe take over the city in the video for “Be Still,” a smooth cut off last year’s Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. In the G. Visuals-directed clip, the two hit the Atlanta rooftops and roll through the streets, rendezvousing with a full band. Catch the midnight train to Georgia in the stylish new video.

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Atlantic Records showcased its finest talent at “Killers Lasers Papers” during the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. Despite a missing Cee Lo Green (“Killers”) and Lupe Fiasco (“Lasers”), the show still went on with B.o.B, Janelle Monáe, and Donnis filling in for their absent labelmates. Wiz showed up to rep for “Papers,” paying homage to the late Nate Dogg during his set. B.o.B traded bars with Donnis, and Janelle Monáe rocked a black face mask during her lively set.

Check out pics and a clip of Wiz’s Nate Dogg tribute below.

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Janelle Monáe is ready to live the teenage dream. Katy Perry has tapped the “Tightrope” singer to open for her “California Dreams” tour on select North American dates.

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Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe are teaming up and taking their talents on the road. The labelmates have announced dates for their North American co-headlining tour, “Hooligans in Wondaland,” commencing May 4 at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom and wrapping June 15 at Phoenix’s Comerica Theatre. Plan B and Mayer Hawthorne will open for the duo on select dates.

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning February 26 following pre-sales on February 17. See the full itinerary below.

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