On Janelle Monae’s Incredible “Tightrope,” Which Finally Exists In Physical Form, And Which You Should Hear Immediately, And Not Just Because Big Boi Is Involved

Head to Pitchfork now and bask in this shit. I have been waiting for this song’s release for 11 months, since I first heard it at SXSW 2009 (sorry about the photo), wherein my JM obsession began. (Several months later I was on the phone with her at the exact moment Michael Jackson’s death was announced, which was super awkward.) Anyhow, this song is fantastic. The bass! The rapid-fire verses! The horns! And now, a Big Boi verse, rhyming “Nasdaq” with “ass crack”! Unbelievable. Buy it at Monae’s website starting Friday a.m., with her full-length debut, The ArchAndroid, set for May 18. Firm date BTW. Because nothing involving Big Boi ever gets pushed back.