Pynk

Not to be confused with Pink.

"Pynk"
Single by Janelle Monáe featuring Grimes
from the album Dirty Computer
ReleasedApril 10, 2018 (2018-04-10)
GenreR&B[1][2]
Length4:18
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Nate Wonder
  • Wynne Bennett
  • Chuck Lightning
Janelle Monáe singles chronology
"Django Jane"
(2018) 		"Pynk"
(2018) 		"I Like That"
(2018)
Grimes singles chronology
"Kill V. Maim"
(2016) 		"Pynk"
(2018) 		"Love4eva"
(2018)
Music video
"Pynk" on YouTube

"Pynk" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Janelle Monáe for her third studio album, Dirty Computer (2018). It features Canadian art pop musician Grimes and interpolates the song "Pink" by Aerosmith, with members of the band being credited as co-writers. Lyrically, the song continues Monáe's female empowerment theme previously expressed in "Django Jane". The third single from Dirty Computer, a music video for the song was uploaded to YouTube on April 10, 2018.[3]

Background

Monáe describes the song as, "a celebration of creation, self love, sexuality and pussy power", and that the color pink "unites all of humanity" because it is the color "found in the deepest and darkest nooks and crannies of humans everywhere."[4] In the Dirty Computer CD liner notes, Monáe describes the song's origins: "Inspired by Prince's mischievous smile as he played organ on "Hot Thang" and watched Cat Glover shimmy across the stage in "Sign O' The Times" and by Kali, Sheela Na Gig, Isis, Sheba, Athena, Medusa, Mary and all the Mothergoddess sculptures and paintings in pyramids, churches and castles around the world; midnight conversations and debates about The Great Cosmic Mother; insights from The Vagina by Naomi Wolff, and Interior Scroll by Carolee Schneemann and the calligraphy of Sun Ping; and Paul Simonon's quote that "pink is the only true rock n' roll color.""[5]

Critical reception

“Pynk” received critical acclaim. Pitchfork praised "Pynk" and awarded it Best New Track. Eve Barlow stated: "As an expression of unity and an appeal to see people beyond gender, the song’s genre-bending sonics and the video’s femme-dominated utopia underscore Monáe’s long-held desires for a more fluid society."[2]

Music video

The music video was directed by Emma Westenberg and was uploaded to Monáe's YouTube account on April 10, 2018. It features actress Tessa Thompson, a frequent collaborator of Monáe's. The plot finds Monáe and Thompson along with a group of other women dancing in a desert, having a slumber party and sitting out by a pool while expressing appreciation for the vagina.[6] The distinctive pink vulva trousers worn by the dancers were designed by Duran Lantink.[7]

Awards and nominations

Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2018 MTV Video Music Awards Best Video with a Social Message Nominated [8]
2019 Grammy Awards Best Music Video Nominated [9]

Use in media

The song is played at the end of episode 6 of Michaela Coel's drama I May Destroy You.

Track listing

Digital download[10]
No.TitleLength
1."Pynk"4:02
Remix single
No.TitleLength
1."Pynk (King Arthur Remix)"3:58

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Iceland (RÚV)[11] 14
US R&B Songs (Billboard)[12] 21

References

  1. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (April 10, 2018). "Janelle Monae Premieres Alternative-Infused "Pynk" Featuring Grimes". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Barlow, Eve (April 11, 2018). ""PYNK" [ft. Grimes] by Janelle Monáe Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  3. ^ Schatz, Lake (April 11, 2018). "Janelle Monáe and Grimes reunite on new song "PYNK" and video: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  4. ^ Spanos, Brittany. "Watch Janelle Monae Celebrate 'Pussy Power' in 'Pynk' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  5. ^ Janelle Monáe (2018). Dirty Computer. Bad Boy Records.
  6. ^ Eckardt, Stephanie (April 10, 2018). "Janelle Monáe Practically Gives Birth to Tessa Thompson in Her New "Pynk" Video". W. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  7. ^ "Duran Lantink, the man behind Janelle Monáe's vagina pants". the Guardian. April 27, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  8. ^ Kim, Michelle (July 16, 2018). "MTV VMAs 2018: See The Full List of Nominees Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  9. ^ "Janelle Monae". GRAMMY.com. November 23, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  10. ^ "Pynk (feat. Grimes)". Tidal. April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  11. ^ "Topplistinn 23. Juni 2018". RÚV. Archived from the original on March 8, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  12. ^ "Janelle Monáe Chart History: R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2018.