Even though I am embarrassed to admit it, Janet Jackson was one of my teen idols. I’ll never forget seeing the video for “What Have You Done For Me Lately” in March of 1986, when I was an impressionable teenager with raging hormones. I knew she was Michael’s little sister, but she just came across as incredibly unique.
Even though Janet was overweight, she was beautiful. She didn’t have to try to be sexy like she does now; she was sexy. My friends, who were into Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, etc. told me she would be a one hit wonder. Unfortunately, for them, Control became the first album by a female artist to ever launch five top 5 singles on Billboard’s then relevant Hot 100: “What Have You Done For Me Lately;” “Nasty;” “Control;” “When I Think of You;” and my favorite from the Control album, “Lets Wait Awhile.”
Janet took a two-year break from the music scene after her breakthrough success, which was not a bad idea given some of the music that came out in 1988 and 1989. By fall of that year, however, she came screaming back with Rhythm Nation, which, till this day, remains one of the best albums ever made. Janet’s songs about racial harmony, children’s issues, and the “State of The World” were well written, sung with passion, and were on the lips of almost every music loving American. The album turned her from Michael’s little sister into her own superstar.
The concert tour that supported this Grammy winning album was one of the most sought-after tickets of 1990. I attended her show at Poplar Creek in Chicago and along with 20,000 other people, danced, sang, and was blown away by Janet’s amazing performance. There was some controversy about her lip syncing, but nobody really seemed to mind. Lets be honest: Janet is more of a performer than singer, and there is nothing wrong with that.
However, there was one vocal performance that night which really stood out: “Come Back To Me.” It was obvious Janet wasn’t lip synching; she was singing from the heart. Even though my knowledge of music was very limited then, I realized that it is more important to touch people with your voice rather than act like a human dog whistle, something the just emerging Mariah Carey was very good at then.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Norman
I assume you didn't know Call On Me hit #1 on the R&B charts twice... #1 on the R&B Sales Charts more than enough times... So Excited hit #1 on the Club charts. Not-to-mention, 20 YO is certified Platinum, and it was #2 on the Hot 100 & #1 on the R&B Charts
And you called Jermaine Dupri "untalented" but who in fact brought Mariah Carey back? Thank You.
Your writing skills are flawed cause you can't get the facts straight
2 - ysmartin
this is a pretty lousy article, rife with unfounded criticism and false information. you should stop writing immediately and pursue another career.
3 - Jeremy
I assume you have never listened to 20 Y.O.. If in fact you had, you would know that the album is actually one of her best and could easily be a chart topper. Call on me did hit number one but it is still one of the weaker songs on the album. There about 10 other songs on there that would shoot right to number one. Also, MTV wasn't playing the song because it was Janet...not because the song sucked. Trust me, I am the one who sent out the war cry to her fans to spam the sight. Try listening to it before you bash it.
4 - Sean
Aside from certain exaggerations, like calling Janet the biggest superstar in 1993 or claiming an international uproar over the Super Bowl (only a handful of Americans cared), it's a good article.
The simultaneous decline of her music and image seems irreversible at this point. She's already collaborated with the "hottest" hit makers in the biz to no avail. Her core fan base has abandoned her and the lingering youth oriented flock can't sustain her career.
5 - jbailey
I Could not be more angry or disagree more with your assessment of Janet Jackson's career, it has continuously been a staple of Janet's career that her “downfall” be predicted after every ensuing effort. Your article lacks many points that must be made if a valid explanation for Janet's decrease in popularity is to be explained. First, she is a Jackson, and that comes as a double edge sword, being a Jackson open doors to her, after which she had to prove she was worthy of attention otherwise she would be another Latoya. Now it seems to be a favorite American pastime to rip on the Jackson family no matter what they do wacky or otherwise. Janet is a legend in her own right, it is easy to understate the achievements she has earned throughout her career, she has over 30 top ten R&B hits, 10 number one songs, won every music award on the planet and has sold over 50 million records, artists that achieve that level of success do not disappear they may undergo downtimes as all artists do at some point however Janet is here to stay and rightfully so. Janet has enjoyed chart success for over 20 years, she has hit songs from the 80's, 90's and the new century when her albums debut she sells over 250k first week and thats at the age of 40 which beats most of her female competition half her age which you also failed to mention. Janet's career until recent times was without flaw, and major missteps were all but absent. Starting in 2004 with the SB, the reaction to the sight of a Black woman's breast was not only over the top, but absolutely stinks of racism, thats always been the problem within America we never acknowledge racism when its clearly there because were too busy coming up with every other excuse in the book to deny the elephant in the room as you have so eloquently done. Several “strikes” against Janet Jackson following the Super bowl were more politically motivated then anything, Bush got reelected precisely for the same stupidity that bought into the notion values were at issue within the US, when in fact this very administration has demonstrated it's own incompetence on matters of moral uprightness. As for the “stunt” itself, there were two people on that stage, yet somehow you fail to mention any responsibility on the part of Justin Timberlake who knowingly removed the clothing coinciding with the lyrics “gonna have you naked by the end of this song” his own song!!. Janet took the entire downfall, and yet no one seems to see any error in that? That wasn't a strike for Justin Timberlake at all, he was welcome to continue moving forward because the culprit had been chosen. The so-called moral right may as well had burned Janet Jackson at the stake, but what is even more appalling is the continuing abuse, criticism, and downright vindictive nature that has viciously and aberrantly attacked Janet Jackson even despite having apologized concerning the incident. MTV banned Janet Jackson, and no one was up in arms about it, after the history MTV has displayed concerning Black artists it should have been at the very least a question as to why Justin Timberlake continued to enjoy airtime while Janet Jackson was treated like garbage, that is not how you treat an Icon, Janet's 20 Years of entertaining and bringing joy and understanding about issues of concern to light deserved better then the hack job MTV shelled out to her. Not to mention MTV wouldn't be the presence it is today had it not been for the Jacksons, and other artists who paved the way for Blacks who were not welcome on MTV channel in the stations infancy. MTV claims they lost money as a result of the SB because they would not be welcome to produce shows for other venues as well, yet somehow it went unspoken how inappropriate it was for MTV to entertain any function seen as a “family event” you hire MTV you don't expect G-rated yet MTV never owned up to their faults either.
The weight lose, yes Janet has lost some weight and doesnt she look damn good?.....that should be the words of the tabloid media because when she was heavier all the could report on was how fat and ugly Janet Jackson had become, so she lost the weight and she freely flaunts it in the face of hateful America that “Yes I was fat, but dont I look better then you do now? I know you hate it”
As for Mariah Carey and Madonna its easy to jump on the comeback bandwagon when the weather is fair isnt it? But Mariah cannot Tour and make huge profits to save her life, Janet Jackson's last two tours grossed a total of over 100 million dollars according to industry standard Pollstar, so where did you get your facts?
Jermaine Dupri untalented?...once again where did you get your facts? JD has produced two of the biggest selling albums of the last three years, Mariah's lauded comeback (as you mentioned) and Usher, that's talent...maybe JD doesnt work as well for Janet however to call JD untalented shows ignorance on your part.
In closing, what you are doing now isnt anything different then so many others are doing your jumping on a bandwagon lets tear her on down, its a mob-mentality that says more about your own sense of self then anything about Janet Jackson, do you feel better now? You put someone down? I'm sure I can speak for most true Janet Jackson fans, and there are many, when I say this: when Janet returns to the top and she will, your fandom will not be welcome, because your true fans are those that are there when the cards are down, not taking cheap pot shots when the weather is less then fair.
6 - Sybil
While you do make some good assesments, I must disagree with your overall stance.
It appears now that people are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Janet's sexy image and sexual lyrics, however that was not the case until the aforementioned Superbowl incident. In 1993 Janet's "sex appeal" in her image and lyrics was welcomed and accepted not because the world had grew tired of Madonna, but because it was something that Janet had naturally transitioned into which was something we hadn't seen from her. Perhaps the issue is that 4 albums later there is not the element of a "new" dimension to her image which was only excascerbated by what happened at the Superbowl....... you must take into account that the sexual lyrics in such hits as "If" "That's the Way Love Goes" and "All For You" as well as others, were not so closely scrutinized as anything that she has released after this event. With the exception of "Warmth" and "Moist" from the Damita Jo album, Janet's lyrics are tame in comparison yet in 2006/2007 that seems to be the main focus. I digress on this point.
My opinion is that Janet's wein in popularity is a result of 2 things; 1.The Superbowl backlash and 2.Trying to appease the "Pop" audiences.
Since I've already addressed #1 I'll just get into #2. "Got Til It's Gone" wasn't a hit which I think had more to do with the accompanying video than the actual song, "Together Again" saw an enormous amount of success. Even though I like the song and it's positive message noone can deny it was extremely "poppy", most of Janet's hits up until this point were more cross-over "pop" hits opposed to being instant which was the case with this song (with a few exceptions).Whether it was a calculated attempt,on Janet's part/ the part of her record company, to mirror TA's success in the pop realm; It appears that all of her massive hits preceeding it have followed the same formula. In doing so, she seems to have lost a substantial amount of her R&B/Urban fanbase.
With the release of her latest album, Janet's "untalented midget" (as you like to put it, I disagree) tried to rectify that situation. I'm not certain that it was purely based on that notion, or the ideal that current trends in music lend to more favor for R&B/Urban songs, but it needed to be addressed nonetheless. The transition back into Janet's normal pattern of songs (lyrics aside) might not have been gradual enough for the R&B/Urban audiences to grasp without viewing it as being contrived(even though they seem to be the only music sector showing her any love at this point).
MTV's and Pop radio's unwillingness to play any of Janet's recent offerings is again a direct result of the Superbowl backlash, to think otherwise is just plain foolish. It's a double-edged sword though because she needs the pop audience to continue on her success/popularity but they are the same people that IMO made it decline.
7 - Tony Love
Are you kidding me ? My tv must have malfunctioned that day, cuz I saw Justin "WHITE BOY" TimberFAKE pull off Janet's top !!!! If thats not what happened, then I promise to buy all new Plasma TV's for all my rooms ASAP !!!!
Next time, please report the truth !!
Thanx !!!
8 - Trey
I wont even address this garbage you call an article. Why is it that people are quick to tear people down.....I don't think it is just Janet, all artists are having slow albums these days...Look at the biggest selling albums of the year (Justin Timberlake: 2.7 mil or Xtina: 1.5 mil or Beyonce: 1.5 mil). I think when janet was in her prime, she was selling 5 million+ albums with each release, so to still be platinum 20 years later is great. This is only the 2nd or 3rd album for most of them and they are already being hit hard with sales declines...How many will be around in 20+ years?
9 - Robert
First of all, I will defend 1 thing about the author, as much as we complain about how so many, and I do mean SO MANY, of us disagree with the view of this article, life entitles us to an opinion and this beloved country of ours entitles us to share it. So that being said, you got a right to speak on what you think!
Now, for what i think! Janet Jackson IS a megastar, and like all people who we, the public, build up, there are always those who at the first sign of stumble get out the hammers to tear them down. I love Janet, I think 20YO is a solid album, not the Slammer that many fans were expecting but a SOLID album none the less. My personal opinion is DamitaJo was a DAMN FINE album. She used her voice well, the songs were fresh, she worked with many different producers and the album is HOT HOT HOT!
Regardless of what Janet does or doesn't do concerning her music & film career, who's she is or isn't sleeping with, who is or isn't working with/being produced by, she will be Janet Jackson. Her core audience hasn't gone anywhere. It has been mentioned but her album is certified Platinum, DamitaJo was certified platinum. So someone must be buying her records. Also remember those certifications are only for the United States, that says nothing of what she's sold in the rest of the world (we in the US forget, at times, we are only 5% of the Worlds population)
Comebacks? Don't get me started. Yes Mariah had a great comeback album. Though the tour ain't selling, she had a great album. I saw Madonna mentioned somewhere. Where was that comeback. Yes her tour sold, but if you have a nation full of people and only have 20 shows in 5 cities then hell yeah! If Janet went on tour and did the same I'm sure she would have a similar result, but Janet doesn't need to limit her tour, she will sell. Janet & Madonna are similar in the fact that they have put in their time! They are both megastars and will always have a record deal, and will always sell albums, regardless of what critics or anyone else has to say about their work.
I guess to sum it all up, Janet is Janet. There are plenty of people who like her, there are plenty of people who don't. I love her and will continue to influence others too. I am always objective though, no one is perfect as Janet says many times, she's only human and we all change. Let her continue to grow, we all have awkward period's in life, you don't know where she will go next. The true sign of devotion is staying by someone's side through the rough times. I'm right here with my CD in hand!
10 - moboy
This is an excellent article that makes several valid points. I assume that Janet Jackson's record company have sent out their "hit" people to try to discredit this article.
The author sounds like he's a disappointed Janet Jackson fan and that he wants her to make a comeback.
11 - Daryl D
Wait a second Janet Jackson fans! I admit that this article is harsh and that's because I am a Janet Jackson fan too. It's harsh because Janet can do so much better!
First, let me say that I was not offended by what she did at the Superbowl, but was rather offended by the way she handled it. Still, it's not fair that Justin was completely "forgiven" while Janet still faces some backlash. Or does she?
I think people wanted to give Janet a chance when she came out with this album. People wanted this to be her comeback album. However, she completely blew it by trying too hard to appeal to the generic R&B fanbase rather than her own fanbase.
I still think Janet is a "pop" artist rather than R&B. She has made some of the greatest pop songs ever made. I know Janet Jackson fans are angry, but just because she blew it don't blame it on me!
Daryl D
12 - GrapesAndBlue's
I wanted to give Janet a chance, I was a fan of her since back in the 80's. But this comeback album was a total flop. I DO NOT believe that album has even went Platinum yet (whoever said it did). She's not the same, she's trying to appeal to the 17/18 years olds and it's NOT her sound. Mariah can do it because she can do alot with her voice. Janet can't, her voice is made for certain songs and no matter how hard you try to put a good beat under her singing it sucks. I love Janet and always will, but this was a sad attempt at a comeback.
13 - Mike_88
THis person is not a disappointed Janet fan. I'm sorta disappointed the way things had turned out for her and I have criticism (most people who commented supproting her do) , but this is built upon lies, slander, adn totally false information. Daryl D doesn't even have his facts straight and it seemed really biased. A disappointed fan would had been more contructive. But that was just plain nasty!!!!!!
14 - Emmanuel
I Totaly agree w/ U
Ya'r right I Felt de same When i realized dat her new record wasn't a #1
And Actually Janet had de Blame on her Behalf For not Producing With New Artists Like The Neptunes, Timbalad, Will I Am, Rodney Jerkins, among many many others. Who are more talented than her Boo Jearmaine Dupri.
She Should produce sumn' Different.
But also all This Heat on Janet is Caused of The wardrobe malfunction.I Think it was cool, but anyway
I stil Believe She's very talented, cool, sexy, and as Everybody who loves Her.
I'll be her Fan ForEverMore.
15 - Michelle
Okay. I am a Janet fan and I have been since she she was on "Good Times." But, I'm human and yes, I was disspointed in her entire attempt to "come back." I have her cd and it's not a good one. All she does is whisper and if I had known that before I purchased it, I wouldn't have. In addition, she does "appear" to be desperate for attention which she has never had to do - she's already a star. I agree, she needs to do some "house cleaning" and get rid of all those rug rats who tried to make her look like a ghetto princess. Janet has always had class in my opinion, but seems they (and maybe her) wanted to make her a R&B soul sista. I'll be there for her when she decides to make a stronger comeback.
16 - christopher
who the fuck died and made you a critic? you're entitled to your opinion, but nobody can deny that janet jackson has had an incredible career and made amazing albums.... i find it so interesting that as the face of the music industry, record sales, digital media files and all that encompasses it makes progress people still think record sales and recording artists are going to be the same as they were back in 1986....
wake up and smell the mp3's dude....
janet jackson was never trying to make a comeback.... she simply recorded a new album and released it just like every genuine recording artist does after a couple of years.... if you're looking for an "artist" that doesn't change styles or spark controversy then you should stick with boy bands and pop tarts that are being stylized by the industry that made them.... real artists will always have the public questioning their actions because that's what art is designed to do.... it makes you ask questions, it provokes thought, and takes people through a catharsis of emotions and enjoyment....
i'm sure if you were kevin federline you'd be sitting with your tail in your legs because people like you feel the need to waste time judging people.... i'm sorry janet jackson isn't the same person she was in 1986, but guess what? PEOPLE CHANGE!!!!!
17 - thomas
what are you talking about???? your statements are so off base. sure, her new album hasn't sold as many units as her previous, but to say the door has closed on her only makes YOU look ignorant. both singles went number one on R&B sales and Dance charts. the album was nominated for a best contemporary album Grammy. as far as the video, BET's Access Granted, featuring the making of that video, was the program's highest rated EVER! before you make comments like yours, KNOW YOUR FACTS KID! no artist stays on top forever. new artists come and go, but MS. Jackson has been in the business for over 20 years. that's no small feat. if she never sales another album ever, you recognize who and what she has done for the music industry. SHOW SOME RESPECT!
18 - thomas
oops, before someone has something smart to say...Call on Me went # 1 on R& B sales and So Excited is the current #1 Dance single. The way I wrote sounded as if they both went # 1 on both charts. I know my facts and don't want any of you "so called" Janet fans to give me any sh*t. You traitor fans should be ashamed. If you can't support her, just keep your mouth closed and move on.
19 - Caleb G.
Just because Janet is Platinum dosen't mean the album sold a million copies. It only sold 600,000 and is now off the chart. "Call On Me" peaked at #25 which isn't bad but the second single didn't even rise above #80. In fact I saw "So Excited" played on MTV dozens of times so I don't see why people are claiming MTV dosen't play her videos. If she goes on tours, she'll probably do great, but as for her albums, they just plain suck, which is why she isn't going to have another top 10 hit.
20 - Richard
Janet Jackson has always been a consistent hitmaker since her breakthrough with "Control". What an amazing chart career she has had. Most artist would kill to have that kind of longevity in the fickle music business. Yes "Got Til It's Gone" was not a hit on the charts, but now it is considered a classic Janet Jackson song. After "All For You", Janet did stumble with "Son Of A Gun". But i have no doubt that the reason her album sales are down and the singles are not hits on the pop charts is because of the superbowl fiasco. That really damaged her career. But i believe that Janet can come back with the right songs and a record company that is really behind her.
21 - lilrigg
i think people in america, are always putting down people, and for janet jackson she been in the business for 2o yrs. she got her millions and she is not making a comeback. why is'nt america putting down justin timberlake, People act like they never seen breast before it's part of the body, u people act like you never seen one before u soccer moms need to stop acting like your kids never saw a breast before. janet jackson is a talented person and will always have fans and make millions, so as for her new album i like it, people gonna have opinions about everthing. But remember people, there's more going on in the world then putinng down a superstar because u don't like something she done in the past, that is really nothing to even make a fuss about breast is a breast get over it and move on. Janet jackson should continue making albums and millions and let people talk ,because that's how people are in the U.S OF AMERICA
22 - daryl d.
A couple of comments here:
1. EVERY artist dies down in "general public" popularity. It's a given. But those that die in record sales (the stones, madonna, the beatles) actually end up increasing their die hard fan base over the years. I'm judging this by concert ticket sales. If Janet sells out huge stadiums and grosses mnore than $100 million on tour, I will eat my words. I doubt that's gonna happen. What makes me concentrate on Janet's fall in popularity is the fans she lost in her core fan base, which is many. Did she deserve to lose those fans? Surely not after the Superbowl thing. But after giving her a chance to make up for it, Janet let people down, plain and simple.
2. Platinum album sales are determined how many actual albums are sold. An album that goes platinum shipped 1 million albums, but that album might not have sold that many copies.
3. Number 1 on the dance charts and number 1 on the R&B charts doesn't mean much these days. Then again, the HOT 100 is flawed itself, so you may be able to argue there.
4. It is a shame that Justin Timberlake is "forgiven" for his part in the wardrobe malfunction while some people still hold it against Janet. It's downright hypocritical as well. I don't think it's a race thing; it's more of a sexist issue. By the way, I think anything Janet does today is still better than anything Justin Timberlake does.
5. I'M NOT COUNTING JANET OUT! She just needs to realize that her target audience isn't thirteen years old anymore. Also, she needs to forget some of those high school cheerleader dance routines.
23 - Amy
All this is meaningless Janet is and well always be a great entertainer... who does not copy anyone, but does get copied by a few people.
24 - uxobi
R&B artists would disagree with the statement that having a #1 R&B/dance hit doesn't mean much...LOL...what a totally whacky statement...many R&B artists are unknown to non R&B fans...pop charts don't make or break an artist. Janet is still one of the best performers out there. 20+ years strong.
25 - CAROL
JANET NEEDS TO STOP HANGING OUT WITH FAGGOTS, SHE NEEDS TO GET RID OD GIL CAUSE HE IS TURNING HER INTO A WHORE.
THEY PUT THE BITCH IN A TRICK BAG DIDN'T THEY?