Fans are losing it over Rolling Stone’s latest Musicians on Musicians pairing: Lucy Dacus and Janelle Monáe. On paper, it’s an unexpected duo, but in practice, it’s pure magic.
During their conversation, the two artists dive deep into identity, transformation, and what it means to exist beyond binaries. Monáe describes being nonbinary as “like water and rock — always flowing,” while Dacus jumps in to add her own spin: sometimes it’s “boy day or girl day,” but ultimately, she wants both. “I want it all,” she says. “If I was told I had to be one way, I would be like, ‘Maybe life is not for me.’”
Naturally, the discussion drifts to transformation, on stage and off. Both share a love for Halloween, a time when reinvention is celebrated rather than questioned. Monáe, of course, is a legend of the holiday, having previously stunned fans as hyper-realistic versions of E.T. and the Grinch.
As far as where that creative spirit comes from, Monáe credits David Bowie, recalling how his artistry shaped her own love for world-building and character play.
“I think when I saw David Bowie…”
“You saw him?” the boygenius star asks.
“I did. I traveled back into the 1970s. And saw him do Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and it was incredible.”
“You travelled back?” Dacus clarifies, eyes wide. Let me preface by saying Monáe is speaking about time travel so casually, we can’t blame Lucy for her raw reaction. Anyways…
“Yeah, I was backstage,” they continue. “And I was like, ‘This is what I want to do.’ And so I jetted back to the 2000s and I was like, ‘I can have the musical, make the music, create the lyrics,’ and create a community around transformation and being queer and, not even in sexuality but in how we see the world.”
Dacus did not ask any further questions on time travel, and this is not the first time Monáe has spoken about it. The Age of Pleasure singer told The Guardian in 2018 that they “spend a lot of time in the future.
“But to help the future, sometimes you got to go back to the past, and sometimes you got to stay in the present.”
The musicians also share stories of feeling “othered” growing up and how that shaped their songwriting. At one point, they even pull out their phones to compare creative notes — literally.
Critically acclaimed Slovakian artist Karin Ann is back with a striking new single, and this time she’s paying tribute to one of music’s most iconic figures. Her haunting reinterpretation of David Bowie’s legendary song “Heroes” is out today on all major streaming platforms—ushering in what she describes as a “bold new chapter” in her ever-evolving artistic journey.
Produced by Bowie’s longtime collaborator Mark Plati, Karin’s version of “Heroes” is more than just a cover—it’s an homage. With contributions from members of Bowie’s original band, the track pulses with history, reverence, and Karin Ann’s own unmistakable voice. The release also arrives with a behind-the-scenes music video, capturing intimate moments from the studio sessions that brought this one-of-a-kind project to life.
A New Sound Rooted in Emotional Truth
Known for her fearless blend of genres and her commitment to storytelling, Karin Ann has built a name for herself through music that’s as thoughtful as it is boundary-pushing. Whether it’s brutalist folk or gothic disco-rock, her songs are anchored by themes that deeply resonate—mental health, queerness, identity, heartbreak, and defiance.
With “Heroes,” Karin departs from the purely original material she’s known for, but remains just as emotionally potent. Her version strips the track down, turning Bowie’s triumphant anthem into something more introspective and tender.
“Every song I choose or write has to have meaning,” she said in a statement. “I don’t believe in singing just for the sake of melody. It has to be a story I feel connected to, and ‘Heroes’ was that for me.”
A Star on the Rise
Karin Ann has spent the last few years establishing herself as one of Central Europe’s most fearless musical exports. In February, she released the emotionally charged duet “choking on my words” with Eurovision winner Duncan Laurence, a track praised for its vulnerability and sonic richness. The single followed her critically acclaimed debut album, through the telescope, released in 2024.
That album—spanning themes like gender equality, mental health, and the LGBTQ+ experience—was heralded as one of the most ambitious debuts in recent memory. NME called it “a confident and unflinching debut,” applauding its existential lyricism and genre-blending production.
With her new Bowie cover, Karin is doubling down on emotional storytelling while showcasing a deeper, more folk-driven sound. It’s not just a tribute to a musical hero—it’s a signpost for where she’s headed next.
From the Stage to the Screen
Karin’s creative ambitions don’t end with music. Her artistry stretches into film, television, and visual storytelling—mediums she blends with ease.
She made a memorable cameo as Maria in the critically acclaimed miniseries The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and has continued to produce cinematic music videos that feel like short films. Standouts include a two-part visual series for her singles “a stranger with my face” and “favorite star,” co-starring Ashley Moore and Olympian Gus Kenworthy. Directed by the acclaimed duo TUSK, the visuals were lauded for their emotional weight and won Best Music Video at the 2023 Top Shorts Film Festival.
In another standout collaboration, Karin partnered with iconic musician Imogen Heap for the bold and poetic video for “i don’t believe in God,” blending themes of existentialism and identity with arresting visuals.
A Voice for the LGBTQ+ Community
Karin Ann’s influence extends far beyond her music and visuals—especially within queer spaces. Open about her identity, she’s become a voice for young LGBTQ+ fans across Europe and beyond. Her work doesn’t simply represent queerness; it centers it with depth and care.
With songs that unpack toxic love, gender norms, and self-discovery, Karin offers more than visibility—she provides solidarity. Her concerts and videos are often described by fans as “safe spaces,” where queerness is not only welcomed, but celebrated.
That message continues to resonate in “Heroes.” In Karin’s hands, the song transforms into a queer anthem of quiet strength—a reminder that being a hero doesn’t always mean saving the world. Sometimes, it just means surviving another day, loving honestly, or simply being yourself in a world that doesn’t always make that easy.
As Karin Ann continues to evolve as a songwriter, performer, and actor, she remains rooted in the same core values: authenticity, vulnerability, and bold creative vision.
Later this year, fans can expect more original music that draws on her Central European and Middle Eastern heritage, incorporating traditional elements into her modern sound. These cultural touchstones deepen the emotional texture of her work, reinforcing her status as one of the most dynamic and genre-defying artists on the rise today.
Until then, “Heroes” stands as a poignant bridge between where she’s been and where she’s going—a fearless reinterpretation of a classic, filtered through the lens of a storyteller with something urgent to say.
