Kansas-native Janelle Monáe studied at New York City's American Musical and Dramatic Academy. After landing a couple of minor roles in off-Broadway productions, the artist moved to Atlanta where she joined the Wondaland Arts Society collective and met OutKast member Big Boi. The rapper put out two Monáe compositions on his 2005 Got Purp?, Vol. 2 compilation. Two years later, the songstress released her first five-track EP, the Grammy nominated Metropolis, Suite 1: The Chase. A concept-oriented recording mixing science-fiction with, pop, rock, hip hop and soul music, it set the table for 2010's The ArchAndroid album.