Make Me Feel (Janelle Monáe, 2018)

“What ‘Make Me Feel’ is not, however, is objectifying or derivative. Monáe takes some risks (the direct allusions to Prince, the sexual physicality) and owns them completely. She is treating bodies as objects, and she is borrowing overtly from previous artists. Instead of coming off as crass, the result is fresh and alluring. At least in part, this appeal stems from the video’s sexual politics. Monáe is a girl who places herself in romantic situations with both girls (or one girl, actress Tessa Thompson) and men. The top YouTube comment for ‘Make Me Feel’ says it all: ‘BI ANTHEM.’ ” – Iris M. Lewis, The Crimson

Directed by Alan Ferguson

Keywords: LGBTQ, african-american, cinematography, color, female, lighting, music video, people of color, sexuality