Janelle Monae has released The Age Of Pleasure, so I felt it right to dip into the archive for an interview I did with her an ‘age’ ago. Here is Janelle’s Last Time – the old last page of Q interview, which involved every question being a ‘last’ of some kind – from 2014…

Last time you used public transport?

“I do it when I work on music because I want to have the experience of someone working a nine-to-five. I wanted to go back to my roots.”

Last time someone mispronounced your name?

[laughs] “Actually when I was at the airport about a week ago. They pronounced Janay Monay! It rhymed.” 

Last person who asked to collaborate with you?

“Mmm, that’s actually a secret because I am going to collaborate with them! Yeah! It will be for my next album. It’s a big person!”

Last time you ordered a takeaway?

“Probably yesterday. I had Popyeye’s! We got shrimp, you know, New Orleans-style food: popcorn Shrimp.”

Last time you spoke to Prince?

“Actually, I spoke to him two days ago. Yeah. I’ve played with him several times so we were catching up. I’m going to be doing more performing with him this year. Do I get to jump the queue for his secret shows? Well, I knew they were happening before the public, but I haven’t been able to go yet!”

Last time you had a bad hair day

[laughs] “Right now! Is my bad hair day a good hair day by everyone else’s standard? Well, I meant bad in a really good way [laughs] My hairstyle is bad! Actually, it’s a bit messy.”

Last time someone was rude to you?

“I don’t remember. No one has been really rude to me in a long time.” 

Last science fiction film you saw?

“It was Her. It’s amazing, really good. I go to the cinema a lot and I’ve got a lot of movies in my house. What’s my favourite sci-fi movie? The one that has not been released yet!” 

Last time you cried?

“I cry for different reasons. I cried because I was very sad because I’ve just lost my first-grade teacher, she and I were really close. So I cried when I heard the news. She was a great teacher! I had tears of joy when listening to a song in the studio. It was a friend’s song, it was wonderful!”

Last time someone questioned your belief in time travel?

[laughs] “Time travel is definitely possible. I met a man from, let me see, 2719 who escaped an apocalypse in their day.” 

Last time you went on holiday?

“I’m trying to have one right now! My last real holiday was for my birthday and I went to Montego Bay in Jamaica.” 

Last time you had your heart broken?

“I think my heart has been broken when I watched this story about this young kid who had so much depending on him. He ended up making the wrong choices through his life. Things like that break my heart, they really do.”

Last time you made your own bed?

“I made it two days ago, I believe. It wasn’t a tight job, but it was very artistic!” 

Last time you danced in front of the mirror?

“Oh, every time I get out of the shower!” 

Last time you cooked a meal for someone?

“About five days ago. I cooked for everyone here at my art collective. I did my own version of Chicken Alfredo. It was really good, and it was my first time making it. I’m an outstanding cook… when I want to be.” 

Last time you had an argument?

“Yesterday. It was a healthy one though. A heated discussion.”

Last time you went to the dentist?

“I don’t need to go, see I’m an android. I don’t have human teeth. In fact, I went for the first time in ages. My dentist is good, they don’t try to take people’s money, they say ‘I see a small cavity but it’s nothing major…’”  

Last time you were thrown out of a hotel?

“Well, I’m often I’m late for the airport so I get chased out a lot! Have I been thrown out for throwing TVs through windows? No, not at all. I don’t have that lifestyle. I’m a good guest!”

Last time you were out of breath?

[laughs] “I don’t know, I’m pretty fit! I never get out of breath.”

Last time you asked someone for their autograph?

“That hasn’t happened in a long time! When I went to Sesame Street I definitely got some. I did a video with the cast, that was kinda like an autograph. I have met people where I’ve thought ‘wow’ but I like to be in the moment so I don’t ask for a signature.”

Last time you lied?

“Two minutes ago.” [laughs]