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

101. Yahoo! Music User -
So, just remember this. Those of us who have learned all of Janet's dances in her videos and off her tour's will always be by her side. Nudity is all over the tv day in and day out and no one say's a thing about that. It was a wardrobe problem people get over it. This song and video is hot and you all know it. You go girl as men on film would say. I can't wait for the c.d. to come out. And for the hatter above, get a life. You have no clue of what music really is. I think you and Brittany need a makeover.

102. Christopher P -
I will remain a loyal fan of Janet until the end of time because, she has proven her worth in overcoming numerous obstacles over many years!
She is the greatest entertainer of this millenium! God bless her always in all ways!

103. Yahoo! Music User -
i will always love janet, she is a legend , no matter what people say , janet has always made a come back, her music is such a delite to hear, so i say u go girl and keep the songs coming for as long as u can , u r hot.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

104. Alex -
Well done! Brava! i am soo proud of Janet and if she can get back, Britney sure can. These 2 ladies are 2 women who have experienced fame, knockdown and overweight and i have faith in them both. Love Janet forever and always and this new video is rockin.

105. Thomas -
Once I saw a minute of her latest video, I went to Youtube and downloaded and put the song on my myspace profile. Man, even after the superbowl incident back in 2004, I still had respect for Ms.jackson. YOu look at her now and she still is very hot. When I first saw her videos in 1986 while in HS, she had me hooked on her music, and still has to this day. She looks very hot for a fortysomething woman, hitting her stride, too bad the jerk who dumped her, because I bet he is regretting it now. I think MS.Jackson is a hot and talented woman. I give this sister of soul and pop the title of Queen of Pop, and she has my utmost respect, because for a woman who can still churn out hits after 20 some years, thats talent right there. Heck if she wanted to go out on a dinner date with me, I pay for the whole thing myself, just so I can have a nice conversation with her and can say I dated Janet Jackson, Queen of Pop. Welcome back Janet and Happy New Year!!!

106. Yahoo! Music User -
I'd pull on her top.

107. Melissa -
Janet Jackson is AWESOME! Love the new song.

108. T -
janet help bring talent back to american radio, God knows america needs it.

109. Yahoo! Music User -
Janet always has been and will continue to be the "competition". Like her or not, she's an innovator, it's in here genes. I'm sure her career will be just fine, keep it rockin' Janet!

110. Moonwalker -
Oh my god I thought robotic music had died out with space 1999.At the begining of this tripe, it sounded like a reject off a Cher album enons ago, I actually sat through it kinda hoping it was just a bad dream.
How wrong I was.
Do you think Janet could relaunch her carrer in say childrens TV, worth a thought.

111. Yahoo! Music User -
Go Janet, Legends never get old. Yo check out a cool young tennis playing chick who may just become a legend herself one day

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Atennisstory

112. Jasper -
Im in my 40's and half my life I have listen to Janet, Mariah and Whitney. But as soon as they all try to go hip hop, you lose the over the 40 yr olds. We (over 40) made these three women. Im not saying they need to all to stick to what they know, but when Janet left dance, she left us 40 yr old waiting for her to come back to her senses. Just take a close look at Madonna's last CD-she went back to her dance roots, and it was one of her best pieces of work. I hope Janet's new CD, will be remiscent of her early dance influenced CD's. I hope Whitney will also go back to singing her famous ballads-without a hip hop backdrop. Good luck Janet.

113. limenito -
One more thing...wish Britney was back so she can say to her: " It's Britney b..ch!!!"

114. Yahoo! Music User -
Janet has been making great music all her life and this one is at the top. Sometimes in the music business like everyone who is in the spot light, 3sec is all you need to ruin a career. Janet is a strong woman and a crative musician that loves what she does and it shows in her art. Those of you who would rather slam her for what happend at superbowl or for other reasons do not appreciate music at all for what it is, an expression of self.

115. Yahoo! Music User -
Sounds like the music my daughter listens to, which is cool, I guess. But I have genuine respect for Janet, and Michael. They're both some of the most incredibly talented people of my lifetime. I don't buy into the media thing, and I stay away from mainstream people. Honestly, they're all a huge drag. A real bore, you know?

Anyone with nasty things to say about someone that has given so much of them self to entertain other, obviously has some serious personal issues that they need to confront. Saying unnecessarily nasty things on the internet is just cowardly and small. It doesn't make you important to anyone but yourself, and that's a big zero.

I'm excited that Janet is back, and I hope she continues to influence others, and garner the respect that she truly deserves for her accomplishments.

116. MarcS -
MY BABY'S BACK!!!!

117. RochelleH -
Janet, continue to do what you do. There isn't a whole lot you can do about negative people and haters. The song and video was hot. I've been a fan since "You Don't Stand Another Chance". Alot of these young, negative babies don't have the first clue what I'm talking about, but I'm glad to see you are not giving up. 40 years old, and she still can get down with the best of them....That's wassup!! Do ya' thang girl!!!

118. Manny65 -
JANET CAN MAKE IT WITH THIS CD! WE NEED TO LET THAT NIPPLE INCIDENT GO! IT'S NOT LIKE SHE'S DRINKING AND DRIVING(LINDSEY,PARIS & NICOLE), HOLDING HER KIDS IN A LOCKED BATHROOM(BRITNEY) OR GOING TO REHAB(LINDSEY & BRITNEY)!
SHE'S STILL HOT AND SEXY AS EVER AND BEING A JACKSON...WE HAVE TO ADMIT, SHE HAS IT TOGETHER. LOVE YA J.J.

119. michaelj -
Still hot as eva! bump da hataz. keep doin' yo thang!

120. RAMON -
Discipline will definitely be Janet's next turn at bat....FEEDBACK should be her first run...Go Janet!
Page:  2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 
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
145
Framed
by John Kordosh
122
GetBack
by Shawn Amos
340
Hip-Hop Media Training
by Billy Johnson, Jr.
232
List Of The Day
by Rob O'Connor
334
Maximum Performance
by Lyndsey Parker
167
Musictoob
by Andy Pemberton
193
New This Week
by Dave DiMartino
125
Reality Rocks
by Lyndsey Parker
599
Rock's Backpages
by Ron Ross (1975)
195
Stop The Presses!
by Lyndsey Parker
87
That's Really Week
by Billy Johnson, Jr.
127
The Blender Burner
by Blender Magazine
27
The MOJO Blog
by James McNair
91
The NME Blog
by Luke Lewis
49
The Spin Blog
by David Marchese
79
The Y! Music Playlist Blog
by Robert of the Radish
523
Video Ga Ga
by Lyndsey Parker
71
Viva NashVegas
by Wendy Geller
64

Kanye, Tiger, the Gosselins — our unfortunate 2009

AP
Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:29pm PST

AP - If only there were more Kanye Wests in the world. No wait — lemme finish!! Yes, West proved he was a complete jerk when he jumped onstage and interrupted Taylor Swift's glory moment at the MTV Video Music Aw… More »

More Music News