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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

121. Amanda D -
BillyB, how old are you, really??? Who do you think paved the way for your little your precious copycat, Ciara??? I mean, are you lthat stupid or, are you just 10 yrs. old or somewhere along that range. I mean, really...
just reread what you said, and check yourself. Your a moron.

122. Yahoo! Music User -
janet your beautiful i love you

123. AJ -
Love Janet's new look! It's modern, slick, classy and sassy. Great song. I know it will be a hit. I haven't been a big Janet fan for a while but I have to say she's put herself back on the map with this video. And the rhythmic gymnastics touch at the end was nice. Maybe Janet would have been a rhythmic gymnast if she hadn't gone into show biz!

124. MarcS -
SHE GOT HER BODY AND HER MOVES BACK AS THEY USED TO BE!!!!FINE AND FIT FOR FORTHY I DO SAY!!!!

125. Jamie H -
nothing spectacular about this video other than I like to at how fie she is!!!!

126. west -
Well where do i start... She's alittle old to be playing the sexy 20 something comeback card. She been in and out of the spot light so much in the past decade you can't call it a comeback. As far as other artist coping other artist, i don't think that is any relvence to her "comeback". Clearly in this music video theres and elment of the britney spears "oop... i did it again" music video. So there is no room to point and and yell copy cat. Over All this is a luke-warm music video, i was expecting more growth as an artist from Janet Jackson.
It's not a trend to be in your 40's trying to keep up with other girls in there 20's. Madonna and Janet are in the same boat and they need a new plan, the acting 20 when your 40 plan is getting old and boring.

127. Curtis and Kris -
You go Miss Jackson!!!!! I love you...always will!!! kris!!!!

128. brittany -
ok so its an ok song BUT i think she should just kick back and enjoy her life and money.

129. Edward -
Wow...I see we got the haters up in here. Well anyway, love the song and the video is hot!! I will be picking up that Janet cd on Feb.26th.

130. Jamie H -
nothing real spectacular about this video other than this girl is still real fine!!!

131. Ari -
Thank Goodness For Miss Janet!! Call me so I can jam with you!! She brought the fi-ya back in her choreography and is all about letting her fans know what she's been about for years!! Love ya J!! Smooches, Ari in Ohio aricap2005@yahoo.com

132. Shawn K -
Janet is back. And Lauryn Hill, wherever she might be, is right.

133. Skylar S -
Go on girl!! "Miss Janet" is BACK!! The video is hot, the song is HOT an dno matter everyone STILL tries to copy her. Her wardrobe, her music, her dance moves, her this, her that. As far as I'm concerned, you can't go wrong with Janet. I wish people would stop giving her all this negative "feedback" and see her for what she really is. A very talented artist. I don't see any other artist nowadays singing about racism, hunger, or violence. You just keep doing what your doing Janet. I love you and appreciate you!!

134. James -
Yeah, seriously? Why is a 40+ year old woman singing, "Crank it up, give it to me, c'mon", sounding like a Britney Spears reject? And, when will she stop flinging weave around? That stuff is way too old! Regardless of her stellar past, longevity in this business is based upon the ability to grow and mature.

135. Shawn K -
What are you talking about, "too old"? I'm 27 and I'd totally.. yeah.

136. Michael -
Sorry, she is so much better than this... It sounds like something off Britney's new CD :-(

137. TF -
i think this is one of her best videos. visually STUNNING and the song is HOT as well.

138. Mac -
The frenchies still love you janet, big up, more fire janet, walk naked if you want, we will still have love for you.

139. Sergio -
OMG!!!!! THANK U SO MUCH!!!!
i have heard this song on the radio, and i think its really catchy and i love it, but i had no idea who sang it or what the title was, its been eating at me for the last couple days, thank thank thank U!!!!!

140. bahamachick17 -
You go Ms. Jackson. I love this song, the only that has to go is the video, but that's it. She is going to make a great comeback, and I'm rooting for her. GOOOOOOOO JANET
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