Janet Jackson Shows Discipline with "Feedback"
Published January 14, 2008
This article is part of a series in celebration of a new, dynamic voice in Black America: the NUBIANO Exchange. Brace yourself for the NUBIANO experience. 
As the member of the world-famous Jackson family, Janet expected her life to be the subject of certain media scrutiny. Undoubtedly, growing up in the public's eye must have been quite a challenge. Recently, however, since Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004), her personal and professional lives have been in a constant tailspin.
"Nipplegate," the wardrobe malfunction broadcasted across the world, became the most searched event in Internet history and made Janet Jackson's breast, instead of her music, the focus of 2004. The incident also caused Jackson to be blacklisted by some of the music industry's biggest outlets, most notably MTV, an affiliate of CBS, who endured the wrath of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their Halftime Show.
Unfortunately, for Janet, the timing of "Nipplegate" coincided with the launch of her eighth studio album, Damita Jo (2004). The resulting backlash, you could say, is pop music history. Radio stations across the nation refused to spin singles off of her latest offering and sales for the album were dismal compared to her smash All For You (2001). In the face of the fall-out, Janet proved her "staying power," with "All Nite (Don't Stop)" hitting number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play Chart.
2006 brought Janet's ninth studio album, 20 Y.O., a celebration of Control (1986), her groundbreaking release. Despite the passing of time, the release received a tepid response, with select media outlets still fuming over the "Nipplegate" scandal. (Ironically, her partner in crime, Justin Timberlake, was soaring to new heights with FutureSex/LoveSounds.) Janet once again proved her staying power, as she topped the Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with her fifteenth chart-topper, "Call on Me." In addition, Jackson went on to capture the number one spot on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play Chart with her second single, "So Excited."
- Janet Jackson Shows Discipline with "Feedback"
- Published: January 14, 2008
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Culture: Celebrity, Music: Dance, Music: Pop, Music: R&B, Video: Music
- Part of a feature: The NUBIANO Exchange
- Writer: Clayton Perry
- Clayton Perry's BC Writer page
- Clayton Perry's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
very nice! Feedback is shaping up to be a hit!
Janet is a goddess!! Thank you for this article.
You have one of the most enlightening and genuine articles about music. Janet Jackson is one of the greatest pop icons of our generation indeed, but the public somehow refuses to acknowledge that. Great article.
Very nice articule love it
Beautiful and Talented article, I have been a huge fan since 85 and I am so tired of unfair write ups even comparing her to Britanny Spears (Are you kidding). Also LET US NOT FORGET, Justin Timerlake was involved also and recieved no backlash..So she does deserve fairness and I am glad one writer sees it. God bless... Peace
I could not agree more. She is truly an ICON who will never be replicated. I am looking forward to this new era of Discipline.
Great Article I love how u showed everyone just because her last 2 albums didnt reach HIGH SALES she still managed to have hits on the charts....I love that!! and NO ONE else remembers her "Call on ME", o0r "so Excited" being top dance hits singles. THank you.... We appreciate your article.
That article was amazing. I loved it. This is Janet's year!
I REALLY enjoyed reading this, and I'm not just saying that cause I like Janet (LOL). I'll be pinging :)
This is one of the BEST Janet articals i've ever read! its nothing short of AMAZING! ... thank you. i really enjoyed reading about Miss Jackson!
Finally, we are getting back to the true nature of Janet. There isn't another. Thank You for a great article and an objective outlook, esp. when you read these other ridiculous articles that still bring up that crap of the superbowl. Janet will never go away/ she is a part of music history.
I love Janet.
This song is SO HOT.
Her last two albums were full of singles, but there was no supprt from her label nor the nedia, yet as Justin ripped her clothes off, he got by with it due to his race.
She had a bra on..why did he tear it off TOO????
That is over and done.
This is NEW.
There are too many that copy Janet...such as Britney, Ciara, Beyonce, and more.
BUT JANET is a legend that continues.
An energizer bunny that keeps on going...and beautful one at that!!!!!!
This is the most accurate, on point article I've read about Janet since the unfortunate wardrobe malfunction in 2004. Thank you for writing THE TRUTH!
This really is the most true to form article that I have read about Janet in awhile. I love how bloggers and critics alike still give this girl her props becasue Janet is the business and staying power is apart of what being successful and a true legend is all about. To Janet and to Clayton Perry much love!
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This article is the truth! Thank you for exposing the truth about MTV and the music industry.
And "FEEDBACK" is one of Janet's greatest hits in years!
Please use "Nipplegate" with the scare quotes more. I don't know if we got the full effect.
Further, I am surprised to not see race being brought up by more here during the discussion of the Superbowl. Janet, as an African American woman, suffered in the way most non-whites do at the hands of white men--they lose jobs, money, and respect.
While indeed her professional life suffered due to the powers that be, or the hegemonic masculinities called CBS, MTV and Justin Timberlake, her personal life appears to have flourished since 2004. I'm glad Jermaine's been with her through all this.
Also, "Damita Jo" is easily J's weakest album. The Superbowl certainly did not help her, but the music was not up to par. I believe the album was planned to be released quickly after the Superbowl prior to the malfunction--to capitalize off the free advertising. Meaning, the album was rushed and quickly thrown together, and could've been improved had more time been taking in producing it. It could've been salvaged had her breast not appeared and conservatives freaked out. Instead, we received a poorly constructed album in the wake of a national scandal. A chart topper it does not make.
The truly sad thing about nipplegate is that Jackson didn't even show any (and wasn't really responsible for it), but was castigated for it anyway.
It was covered by a brooch. Remember? I just can't see what all the hoo-ha was about.
Only in America: kids can easily watch re-runs of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on cable, or play violent video games, but TV stations get fined, a whole nation is agog and a performer is hauled over the coals - all for flashing less tit than a nursing mother.
Truly, one of the most bizarre things ever, and another classic example of modern America getting its priorities totally ass-over-tit (upside down, for those who are wondering).
Feedback is a great song and video. I see no reason why this should not be a huge hit for Janet. Even if it doesn't do well on the charts it's a great song. I think that Janet's problem is that she (or her producers) still view success as having multiple hit singles, when I believe that music has become much more album-oriented. Nevertheless, when people hear/see this song/video, I think it will soar up the charts -- even though it appears to be slipping at the moment.
This is truly a fantastic article. I really enjoyed reading it.
Furthermore, I don't think Damita Jo was her worst album as someone else asserted. That has to be 20 YO. Neither of them were particularly good, but Damita Jo at least had two or three unique songs on it ("All Nite (Don't Stop)," "I Want You," "SloLove"). 20 YO had only one truly great song ("With U"). The rest of both albums were just filler, and it was very disappointing to see that from her.
Now that three songs from Discipline are out ("Luv," "Rock With U," "Feedback"), I can see that this album is on a different level altogether. SO MUCH BETTER is all I can say. None of those songs are filler, and judging by the reviews from people who've heard the album, there's only going to be one or two songs that aren't memorable. YAY FOR JANET.
Just heard Discipline, and I wasn't excited about it since the last two albums sucked to put it mildly.
Finally lots of original cutting edge material.
My monies on "So Much Better". Janet channels Beyonce and slays the demons of hyper-competitive upstart syndrome.
Interesting to see how much of a flop this album actually was. I don't think it even sold 500,000. It had a couple of good songs on it -- janet, please don't throw in the towel. I think there's bound to be at least one more top 10 hit in your future.
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great article!
and guess what, MTV added the Feedback video today! it was already played this morning and will make its official premiere on TRL today as well.