“I know you guys have other artists who come that may not be in the same vein as me,” she said. “I took that as an opportunity to share my story and to get people familiar with my message and what I’m about as a human being and as a woman, and as a daughter, and as a sister, and as a black woman, and as an artist who’s redefining what it means to be an artist,” she said.

Alexandra S. Grimm ’17 said that she enjoyed seeing both the student bands and Monáe, and said that Monáe was a “great dancer and entertainer.”

“This is my first [Yardfest], and it’s been a really good experience,” she said.

Students already familiar with Monáe’s work said that they have enjoyed following her success.

“It’s really amazing to see her rise to fame,” concert attendee Omolade O. Sogade ’16 said. “I think I first heard about her with Fun., but seeing her have her own album is really inspiring and awesome.”

—Staff writer Nikki D. Erlick can be reached at nikki.erlick@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @nikkierlick.

—Staff writer Brianna D. MacGregor can be reached at brianna.macgregor@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @bdmacgregor.