Music Blogs

Janet: "Feedback" Is In

Posted Wed Jan 9, 2008 5:10pm PST by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training

Things have been rough for Janet since she flashed Super Bowl XXXVIII viewers in 2004.

Let me rephrase that.

Things have been rough for Janet since Justin Timberlake helped her flash Super Bowl...

Unfortunately for Janet, the wardrobe malfunction happened at the wrong time. Tabloid media, internet gossip and E! True Hollywood Stories had already desensitized the public to ridiculous celebrity woes.

It's kind of hard to feel sorry for someone who was born into one of entertainment's most noted families, yet managed to expose one of her nipples during the halftime performance of one of the country's biggest annual family events.

The incident and the FCC backlash put the pressure on Janet's Damita Jo album. But Damita Jo couldn't handle it. And neither could 2006's 20 Y.O. While I personally liked both albums, neither delivered the impact necessary to shut down the haters.

When R. Kelly's sex abuse scandal hit, his infectious "Step In The Name Of Love" refocused the fans on his music. Mariah Carey recovered from her public mental meltdown and Glitter flop in 2005 with "We Belong Together" which set a record as the most played song in radio history.

Janet's forthcoming Discipline album needs to deliver her the same type of career blessing.

Janet's brand new single "Feedback" is the only track I've heard so far. Produced by leading R&B hitmaker Rodney Jerkins, it is a safe, pop-leaning dance track that reintroduces her on familiar territory. But more importantly, it sets her up for the video, the medium she owns.

Janet wannabes Ciara, Britney and Rihanna wished they looked this good in their twenties, much less in their early 40s. Janet proves that she is still an exceptional dancer, bouncing around in space and in a computer generated pond of milk in one of her trademark cat suits.

It's got me hoping that I'll get a bit more of the old Janet this time around.

Seeing Beyonce on tour last year, dressed up like Janet in the "Rhythm Nation" video, and emulating the militaristic dances, reminded me of how groundbreaking Janet was when she made that video nearly 20 years ago.

Watching Ciara freestyle in the mirror in her "1, 2 Step" video reminded me that Janet's 1987 "Pleasure Principle" was that much better.

And every time I see Britney on stage wearing the cordless microphone headset that Janet popularized in her "Control" video, I want to run up on the stage and snatch it off of her head. She's not using it anyway...

Janet's written the hip hop pop blueprint. She just needs to reclaim it. I'm crossing my fingers that she's gonna do it.

833 Comments

61. Akynos -
Janet started a "career" for me, long story. but she has since fell off in my eyes, pretty dramatically. Now after seeing this video I think she's done it. I'm on her stash again!

62. Nadine -
she fricken rocks!! Good for her!

63. Axleroddarling -
I think the article is true 100%,but the fact
is, her, Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake
need to go make crazy monkey love together
and quit thinking about exposing private
body parts on national television.She should
be on TV probation for such foolish demonstration.

64. ANGELA -
Hey Jenet is our African Queen. You guys should leave her alone to carry on wit her wonderfull profession.

alaskaaman@yahoo.com

65. Yahoo! Music User -
I just saw the video and I am completely in awe of the amount of true talent that this woman exhibits. Unlike other artists and yes we as mere mortals. Janet has always governed herself and grounded herself in a modest yet self-empowering almost spiritual reality. To all unbelievers and nay-sayers, sit back, shut up and witness the power of a talented black woman who has gone through her own set of trials and tribulations only to come back more empowered and abounding in self-love. Those of us that admire and respect her gifts are merely being blessed with her ability to transcend societie's twisted and morally biased opinions of how far a human being can go before burning out or becoming a has been. I thank you my strong proud, black and beautiful sista Ms.Jackson. Thank you for existing in my lifetime and may you reach millions more through your god given talents.

66. Marvin -
Wow! That video was TIGHT!!!

67. ufo -
Janet is great,she is still the best dancer to me. beyounce, Britney and the likes can never be like Janet.
I sympathize with her for the mishaps and i hope "Discipline" brings her back strong.

68. Visna Barton -
THIS VIDEO IS AWSOME. THINK I MIGHT BE AWARD FOR BEST CREATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR.

69. Bret -
This guy Billy Johnson Jr just sounds like a Janet Jackson fan who is stuck in a time warp, and still thiks Prince, and PM Dawn are hip. He believes that the reason why her albums don't sell anymore is because of the "Super Bowl flash". The reason why she doesn't sell is because she is old and her new music isn't that good. The majority of music on the radio is marketed towards teenagers and young adults, and it is being performed by such people. Not by middle aged women trying to maintain validity. I know some might argue with this point but in the back of their minds they know this is true. Why not let the new breed of stars shine without calling them imitations of Janet? If that's the case why not call Janet an imitation Aretha Franklin or Diana Ross.

70. Kemorphosis -
Crank it up give it to me come on - Crank it up give it to me come on -

Here is your feedback: Ms. Janet is Back!

71. Yahoo! Music User -
I like Janet. And I think she has nice boobs. At least one of them is nice. But no seriously, I think coming out with a new album was the only smart career move and I think she pulled it off nicely. I hope the best for her. And for her boobs.

72. richietfan -
That's why I love my girl Mariah. She's versatile. She changes her style to reflect the times. This video is way too pop. Pop is out and R&B and rap is in.

73. Yahoo! Music User -
Weird, she sounds like Britney Spears now ...

74. Amanda D -
I love it!!! Britney "bipolar" Spears' fans come always come out in full force whenever Janet makes her return. lmao Stop w/ the hate on Jan cuz your little idol WILL never get her stuff together. lol She'll probably wind up like Anna Nicole . Oh well... but, enough of that.

75. Laytoya -
Here is my "feedback", I like it!! I have always liked Janet though. If anyone has anything bad to say you are just haters!

76. A Yahoo! User -
So who is whiter these days,her or mj??
Those 2 are so pathetic,all that talent and
they focus on their plastic looks.
They are both has-beens,they just don't realize it yet.

77. Yahoo! Music User -
I like Janet but I hate the song and the video. The video looks like it's from the 80's. I think she can do alot better than this......

78. chatman -
We need something better than this Janet come on it was a zero didn't grab me

79. Anthony G -
I look forward to Janet's product as I have been a fan since 1986!

However, now that she is 40, I am hoping that within 5-10 years, she makes a full transition to film.

Remember everyone, Janet said that she really wanted to go into film, but music was her first love. From what I can tell, the scripts in Hollywood are horrible.

She reels at the notion of strutting on stage at 50 reminding us about the things she would do to us, if she were our girlfriend. It would seem a bit "dated" to say the least.

I wish that Janet would release a video showing how to master some of the more difficult moves in her videos. I can do damage on my own, but I need a little help here.

80. Jay -
Whoa... I sampled that CD, and I didn't know that was Janet JACKSON! Doesn't look like her at all, all airbrushed and whatnot.
Page:  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 
Leave Your Comment
You must sign in to leave a comment
Select a Blog Posts
And The Winner Is...
by Paul Grein
30
As Heard On...
by Lyndsey Parker
48
Chart Watch
by Paul Grein
150
Framed
by John Kordosh
123
GetBack
by Shawn Amos
346
Hip-Hop Media Training
by Billy Johnson, Jr.
239
List Of The Day
by Rob O'Connor
339
Maximum Performance
by Lyndsey Parker
167
Musictoob
by Justin Mathews
204
New This Week
by Dave DiMartino
126
Reality Rocks
by Lyndsey Parker
611
Rock's Backpages
by Nick Hasted (2003)
200
Stop The Presses!
by Lyndsey Parker
88
That's Really Week
by Lyndsey Parker
130
The Blender Burner
by Blender Magazine
27
The MOJO Blog
by Bill DeMain
92
The NME Blog
by Luke Lewis
50
The Spin Blog
by David Marchese
80
The Y! Music Playlist Blog
by Robert of the Radish
533
Video Ga Ga
by Lyndsey Parker
74
Viva NashVegas
by Wendy Geller
68

Van Morrison: Birth report 'utter fiction'

AP
Fri Jan 1, 2010 4:09am PST

AP - Reclusive Irish singer Van Morrison said Thursday that a computer hacker planted a false report on his Web site claiming he had fathered a fourth child at the age of 64 with a new partner. The false report was dis… More »

More Music News