I'll Remember...2008

The legendary Janet Jackson has been absent from the scene for the past few years, instead focusing on her personal life. With this week marking the 6th year since she unleashed her last album ‘Discipline’, what better to pay homage to to Her Highness with this week’s From The Vault pick. Our selection is the set’s exquisite first single ‘Feedback‘.

Released as a “surprise” in December 2007, ‘Feedback’ was helmed by the ever-versatile Rodney Jerkins - making it the first of many collaboration between the two.

Put simply, the cut was every inch the comeback single the career-doctor ordered. ‘Feedback’ saw Ms. Jackson borrowing from what was hot while putting her magical spin on it – resulting in a futuristic, high octane, harmony-heavy, swagger-soaked banger.

Side note: Alongside Destiny’s Child‘s ‘Lose My Breath‘, we feel like ‘Feedback’ – with its “back with a bang” aura – is what every comeback/first single should feel like: an event.

In America, the joint served as Janet’s biggest hit since 2001’s ‘Someone To Call My Lover’ peaking at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play.

Due to a lack of promotion overseas (see: label politics), it was only a minor hit in Europe, missing the chart in the UK  altogether.

Coincidentally, it was British director Saam Farahmand who was in charge of the song’s visual. Perhaps in a bid to pay tribute to the star’s out-of-this-world talent, he opted for an intergalactic theme where the leader of the Rhythm Nation can be seen hoping planets while blessing her legion of fans with some intense choreography along the way with an intensity only she can deliver.

Reportedly hard at work on a new project, Janet’s next move will be a crucial one, for the music industry is continually changing leaps and bounds. From musical trends to charting policies to the onset of social media, nothing is the same as 6 months ago speak less 6 years. However, if there’s one thing this icon can be relied upon for, it’s delivering quality music and visuals. In many ways, it’s Jackson Family Values.

Though we’re crossing our fingers for collaborations with the likes Bruno Mars, Drake and Kendrick Lamar as well as productions by the likes of Bangladesh, Noah “40″ Shebib and of course Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Darkchild, we’re asking YOU: What should Janet do next?

Is the media desperate to erase Janet Jackson from history?

It seems the media is desperate for Janet Jackson to quit the industry. Despite Janet and her team admitting on various occasions that a new album is in the pipeline, the media just refuses to acknowledge it.  Instead they repeat the same mantra: Janet has quit the industry, gone into hiding, converted to Islam and refuses to see her family – with gossip about her brothers begging for money and her suffering from severe OCD.

Janet told Billboard last month: “I am working on a new project now.” Soon after Miss Jackson was pictured at a writing session with producer Tommy Parker and Ian Cross, the A&R and Producer Engineer at Janet Jackson Music. Parker is also a writer/producer at Darkchild Records.  For some reason the media seems to have always resented Janet’s success in the 80?s and 90?s, when her rise started with “Control” they immediately claimed it was just because of her famous brother.  Then they started comparing her to Madonna and critics seemed to love explaining why Madonna did things better than Janet, despite Janet often scoring bigger chart successes than the ambitious blonde.

Still, the critics got their way, after 2004 and now take great pride in belittling Janet’s (in their eyes) lack of success. To some she is even seen as a “has been”. A very successful “has been”: her last album debuted at number one, and so did two of her recent movies.
Recently it has become clear that they are effectively trying to wipe her out of musical history. The fact that without her artists like Britney, Rihanna’s and Beyoncé’s would not exist is alien to them.

The Superbowl is always cited as the reason of her fall. But they forget: She played THE SUPERBOWL. There is a reason she performed at the Superbowl as she was one of the biggest female singers in history in music up until 2004. You can divide her career between the time leading up to the Superbowl and the time following it.But come on, people. Of course Janet’s decline had nothing to do with a “nip slip”. Yes, it was a “wardrobe malfunction” in front of a massive audience, but should it really be still be important 10 years after? Many female artists fell out of their dresses at public functions, even at kids award shows. And come to think of it, if a nip slip could cost you a career Madonna wouldn’t have had a career in the first place.


The only reason “Damita Jo”, that followed the incident, sold less, was due to lack of radio and MTV support and promo, which was due to her Superbowl performance. It was clear that the aftermath of this would be used to taint the singer ever since.  The second album following “Damita Jo”, “20 Y.O.” proved this, suffering again from lack of promo and continuing boycott of her music on radio and TV.  When “Discipline” came along they had to ease on the boycott a little and the result? Her 6th number 1 album, making her the only performer ever to have 6 albums debut at number 1.  Despite the media ignoring and ridiculing her, Janet Jackson still managed to sell millions and did a very successful tour. Still the media treat her like she’s nothing. They purposely ignore her.



For those that don’t realize, Janet Jackson is a true artist whom changed the music and music industry. Janet actually spent much more time at the top of Billboard Hot 100 then Madonna. Her longest chart score was “That’s The Way Love Goes” 8 weeks at the top of the chart, Madonna’s was “Take A Bow” 7 weeks.

Janet Jackson is the only artist EVER to have 7 Top 5 singles from one album “Rhythm Nation 1814? and biggest debut tour ever with 2.5 million tickets sold. She was also the first one who used hands-free microphone in 1986, only later adopted by Madonna.

Janet Jackson also won more American Music Awards then any other female artist and was named as the first MTV Icon in 2001.  She also had 3 #1 movies and one #1 bestselling book. She was the first artist with #1 singles in the 80's, 90's and 00's at the Billboard Hot 100.
Her dance routines are still “borrowed” by many new female singers – while Rihanna has based most of her image by recreating several of Janet’s looks reworked S&M style.
From Britney to Ciara, Janet Jackson inspired half the pop acts from the last decade and re-defined what it meant to be a female artists.  Still it looks like she will never truly be recognized for what she did. She said in her book 'True You' that for the last few years she suffered from racism in the industry, saying “doors that had opened for others were closed in my face, just because of the color of my skin." Today’s racism is more disguised and subtle. But it’s there – and it hurts on many levels.”  During the years before The Superbowl Janet and Madonna were seen as equal. But after the Superbowl Madonna suddenly pushed forward as the biggest female singer of the 80's and 90's. It was as if everyone had been waiting for Janet to slip up. Janet Jackson had paved the way for many, but everything that should be rightfully accredited to her (and in some instances Whitney Houston) now went to Madonna.  It has now gone to the point where Madonna might as well have been the only female singer in the 80's and 90's until Britney Spears, JLo (discovered by Janet) and Destiny’s Child came along.

Happy Birthday janet.

Madonna Vs. Janet...meh?!

Quote of the Day

Janet Jackson Is Excited About Madonna's Superbowl Performance!

Janet Jackson was recently interviewed regarding her new spokesperson position for Nutrisystem weight loss program, and took a moment to discuss the news that Madonna would be performing during the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show!




Extra:  "What do you think about Madonna performing at the Super Bowl"?

Janet:  "She's cool.  I think it will be fun, I think it will be exciting".


Awee...so classy!  

Quote Of The Day

“U don’t have to kiss a girl on stage to be cutting edge or interesting. Lol

How about adopting a kid when everyone was doing it. Ok I’ll stop. Cutting edge.

Damn her*in addict

So many of those instances that def was cutting edge and interesting. Look at your resume boo.  

Noones talking about that addiction. Real t. Get help.  

U go in on mine. I’ll go in on yours. It’s natural.  

U have children. Worry about raising them then talking to hear urself talk- role model. Ok done for the day. Muah kiddos. Lol.  

Look I intend on having children one day. And I sure hope I ain’t acting and sayin foolish things at that age. For my kids sake.  

At least the tit is real. Lovely and sickening ,boom”

Janet Jackson’s choreographer Gil Duldulao none too pleased with Madonna's comment regarding the Super Hole took off to his Twitter & launched a tirade in defence of his longtime friend

 

 

Quote of the Day

In a recent interview with NY 1, Madge discussed what she has in store for the performance, and used the opportunity to throw some shade at Janet Jackson‘s way.

Referring to Ms Jackson’s 2004 wardrobe malfunction at the Superbowl, she remarks:

“I have not mainstreamed and I’m not planning anything naughty. I’m planning something super entertaining. Yep, yep! You don’t have to show nipples to be interesting. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re cutting edge if you do, right?”

...says the woman who previously simulated masturbation onstage for entertainment.
LOL

Madonna Slams Janet Jackson…Again?

Pop megastar Madonna has, over the years, made no secret of her penchant for causing controversy. And, with a new album on the horizon, it seems the 53 year old is digging into her old bag of tricks.

Indeed, seemingly discontent with her subtle, yet detectable digs at Lady GaGa, her Madgesty has reportedly sunk her claws into fellow Pop icon and longtime rival –Janet Jackson.

The singer’s pre-album promotional trail saw her recently tape an episode of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, where she said the following of her upcomingSuperbowl performance…

Via Twitter / Ryan Seacrest:

Granted the ladies “spat” is nothing new (peep video below), I’m going to need Madge to have several seats. It’s not like anyone would want to see half a century old tata’s anyway, remember those photos that leaked a few months back? She’s promising no “nip-slips”, yet this coming from the woman who’s been flogging her vage to anyone who’ll look – even at 53.  We hope her performance can match up to all the shade she’s been doing lately. Because, while it may have worked then, it’s certainly coming across as redundant now. Anyways, can't knock her for being herself what ever her age is.  Gotta LUV her for that!