What is Love?

Album: Rio 2 (2014)
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Songfacts®:

  • Janelle Monáe penned this sun-drenched tropical soul tune for the Rio 2 movie. It plays during the film's New Year's Eve festivities, sung partly by characters Nico, Blu, and Jewel as they are all partying.

    Director and producer Carlos Saldanha first met Monáe at a Rock in Rio concert soon after the first film was released in 2011. "When we spoke with Janelle we wanted a fun, festive song with a message of love and of hope," he told Billboard magazine. "It had to convey the energy of Rio, something everyone could dance to, and when we heard it we could see it playing anywhere."
  • Monáe didn't just guest on the soundtrack - she also voiced a character, veterinary physician Dr Monáe. It was the singer's second voice acting role following an appearance on Fox comedy series American Dad in 2013.

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