If SXSW still has the ability to "break" an artist, Janelle Monae might be this year's break out artist. She got a lot of publicity behind her energetic performances around Austin last week. Most of her performance at Fader Fort was recorded by Fader, and the video of highlight "Many Moons" is above. It's easy to see why Monae got as much pub as she got--few performers can match the enthusiasm she brought to the stage--she runs around, dances, shouts, and generally seems like a female version of James Brown.

Monae is at work on her debut album, but she has an EP, Chase Suite , out now. [Fader]