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."
Article comments
1 - dunky
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.
2 - Cybil Shepard.
very nice! Feedback is shaping up to be a hit!
3 - alright with me
Janet is a goddess!! Thank you for this article.
4 - justinlladoc
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.
5 - Joy
Very nice articule love it
6 - Arlyn
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
7 - Love Miss Jackson
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.
8 - spunkypoop
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.
9 - mzshannon
That article was amazing. I loved it. This is Janet's year!
10 - angela
I REALLY enjoyed reading this, and I'm not just saying that cause I like Janet (LOL). I'll be pinging :)
11 - Dawo
OMG IM SO HAPPY
MTV IS WITH JJ AGAIN:)
OMG thank you:)
12 - avery
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!
13 - jay
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.
14 - CECE
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!!!!!!
15 - SVB
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!
16 - Stanet
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!
17 - Nation
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
18 - Ebonic
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!
19 - Ew
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.
20 - STM
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).
21 - Bertha Fox-Dominguez
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.
22 - eli
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.
23 - Maahes
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.
24 - Bertha Fox-Dominguez
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.
25 - Lenin
Just read the article, finally a positive article on my girl Janet, I was happy to find out that she still had 2 No. 1's. from Damita Jo. Damita Jo and 20 YO were good albums (not her best work, but good anyway) and had quite a few promising hits. I am so sad that Janet is not given any recognition for her efforts, I also believe that the Jacksons success are closely linked, when MJ ruled the world so did Janet, when MJ image was severely tainted it somehow affected Janet's too. The Superbowl incident makes me wanna pull my hair, the fact the Justin still went on to dominate while she took the fall AHHHHHH, as if the world never knew Janet to be sexy and naughty at times please people. I've loved and adored Janet since I was 11 I am 30 today, she one of the pioneer of dance/choreography/sexy music videos I can go on. I am soooo saddened that Discipline (in my opinion a GREAT piece of work) fell to the way side. What the hell must Janet do to get her throne back. Janet is a pioneer in music videos and dance for females, so many of the youngsters we see today ruling the charts cannot deny her impact in their dreams. As far as I am concerned Janet RULES FOREVER, I love her. Lenin