Janelle Monáe and Belvedere Vodka Share Visions of 'A Beautiful Future'

For Janelle Monáe and Belvedere Vodka, “A Beautiful Future” begins today. 

That theme informs a content play from the Grammy-nominated artist, who initially partnered with Belvedere last year. The push includes a limited-edition bottle. Boasting a metallic-blue collage design, its label appears to peel away in layers, revealing the words “Beautiful Future,” along with the brand’s familiar Belweder Palace illustration. 

We’re told this visual effect—artsy yet accessible—serves as “a nod to Monáe and Belvedere’s shared vision of a future where natural character, integrity, diversity and self-expression are celebrated.” (It’s less intense but just as compelling as other special editions from the brand tied to social issues, such as this memorable entry by Laolu Senbanjo backing RED’s efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.) 

Monáe also appears in the stylish video below, standing in a snowstorm of paper cards emblazoned with phrases such as “A Beautiful Future is where diversity and inclusion are celebrated” and “A Beautiful Future is where everyone has confidence to express themselves.” At various points, she’s heard reading some of these sayings aloud. (They sprang from a social media campaign asking fans to define what a beautiful future looked like to them.) 

Ad shop Laundry Service and its production arm Cycle created the spot. Its striking black-and-white color scheme nods toward diversity and inclusion. 

“When I sat down with the Belvedere team, it was incredible to realize that they shared my passions of philanthropy, community and the desire to uplift others and my vision for a ‘Beautiful Future,’ which is one in which women feel empowered and are given equal opportunity,” Monáe says. 

That’s more than just talk. The singer and actress leads Fem the Future, which champions women’s awareness and opportunity through music, arts, mentorship and education. While sales of the Monáe limited edition don’t directly support the cause, Belvedere has been co-hosting brunches to benefit her organization. 

CREDITS 

Agency: Laundry Service 
Head of Laundry Service and Cycle: Jordan Fox
Global Chief Creative Officer: Leo Macias
Group Creative Director: Daniel Nunez
Creative Director: Brad Jones
Senior Art Director: Justin Hood
Copywriter: Brandon Greenbaum
Senior Designer: Katrina Lee
VP, Client Services: Randi White
Account Supervisor: Matthew Ballew
Senior Strategist: Sarah Troncone

Production: Cycle
VP, Production: Bob Brown
Production Executive: Negar Shekarchi
Supervising Producer: Roland Luitgaarden 
Line Producer: Kate Balandina
Senior Producer: Mara Auster
Producer: Oscar Hernandez
Production Manager: Danielle Howell
Production Coordinator: Cooper Collins

Director: Jora Frantzis
Director of Photography: Rob Witt
1st Assistant Director: Niko Philipides
2nd Assistant Director: Matt Goldstein
1st AC: Nicolas Martin
2nd AC: Alan Certeza
Steadicam Op: Christine Adams
Production Designer: Brielle Hubert
Janelle Monáe Wardrobe Stylist:  Alexandra Mandelkorn
Wardrobe Stylist: Niki Firanek
Janelle Monáe Assistant: Ivy Lauren
Janelle Monáe Hair: Nikki Nelms
Janelle Monáe Makeup: Jessica Smalls
Janelle Monáe Nails: Sreynin Peng
Gaffer: Corrin Hodgson
Best Boy Lighting: Kara Siebein
Key Grip: Shun Goldin
Key Grip: Jimmy Viera
Sound Mixer: Jack White
Boom Operator: Jeremy Sugalski
Leadman: Ian James
Set Dresser 1: Bennet Seymour
Set Dresser 2: Robbie Kruczek
Art Assist: Sarah Fernandez
Photographer 1: Julia Galdo
Photographer 2: Cody Cloud
Micro Video Director: Jonathan Machado
Micro Video DP: Cory Warner
Key PA: Khyber Law
Script Supervisor: Amelia Ferroni
Cellist: Adrienne Woods

Edit: Cycle
Editor(s): Adam Zuckerman+ Ryan Moloney + Paul Del Vecchio 
Post Producer: Ryan Moloney 
Post Supervisor: Bob Maurer
Assistant Editor: Christine Carone

Online/VFX: Cycle
Lead VFX: Dana Erickson 
Additional VFX: Dylan Padilla 

Mix/Sound Design: Gerard Collins

Color: Post Pro Gumbo
Colorist: Alan Gordon
 
Music Credits

Django Jane
Inspired by the Dora Milaje in Black Panther.
Written by Janelle Monáe Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin III, Nana Kwabena Tuffuor
Published by Jane Lee LLC (ASCAP) /Tang Nivri (ASCAP) / Chiefy Chiefy Publishing (BMI)
Produced by Nana Kwabena for Chiefy Chiefy Productions
Co-Produced by Nate “Rocket” Wonder
Recorded by Janelle Monáe and Nate “Rocket” Wonder at Wondaland Recording Studios in Atlanta, GA
Mixed by Mick Guzauski at (insert studio) in Los Angeles, CA – Team Atlantic please advise.
Mastered by Dave Kutch for the Mastering Palace, New York, NY
Composed & Arranged by Nana Kwabena for Chiefy Chiefy Productions and Nate “Rocket” Wonder
Lyrics by Janelle Monáe and Nana Kwabena
Lead Warrior Chant by Janelle Monáe
Liberation Technology Inputs by Nana Kwabena for Chiefy Chiefy Productions and Nate “Rocket” Wonder
Anti-Colonial Composition by Nana Kwabena for Chiefy Chiefy Productions and Nate Wonder
Abolition Waveforms by Nana Kwabena for Chiefy Chiefy Productions and Nate Wonder
Deliverance Strums by Nate “Rocket” Wonder
Unshackling Freaquencies by Nate “Rocket” Wonder
Contains a sample from “A Dream” written and performed by David Axelrod, published by BMG, used courtesy of Universal Music Entertainment.

Additional arrangement by Nate “Rocket” Wonder
Additional instrumentation provided by Grace Shim on cello, Alex Page on violin / viola, and Victor Ekpo on violin/ viola.