Part 4
Regardless, in February 2007, when Dupri was appointed to head IDJ’s urban music department, Jackson followed close behind. But while Dupri and Reid worked together on “Discipline,” Dupri, who executive-produced “Damita Jo” and “20 Y.O.,” willingly loosened the reins this time around, although he ended up producing all the vocals for the album.
“It’s a crazy role for me, because I want the right things for her as my girl. I also want the right things for her as a label, but I also am the label president,” Dupri says. “So, I had to kind of let this be L.A.’s situation, because there’s so many different ways I could get caught up in this project. I also wanted her to feel the love from a real record company and a whole bunch of people other than myself giving her the yeses, so I kind of stood back so she could get a vibe of what she used to have when she first signed to Virgin.”
Two years ago, Dupri masterminded Mariah Carey’s comeback effort, “The Emancipation of Mimi.” Beforehand, Carey was in the throes of flat-lining sales, an abysmal movie endeavor and an emotional breakdown following her IDJ debut, “Charmbracelet.” With Jackson, a similar opportunity presents itself.
“Janet is one of the few forever artists in the business,” Reid says. “I felt that if she was inspired and if she felt excited and if there was some adventure, along with the magic of working with the right people, that we should have a good shot of having success.”
Def Jam COO Steve Bartels thinks the key is to reinvigorate Jackson’s fan base through an arsenal of diverse urban and crossover records rather than targeting one lane. “Her appeal was to everybody when she was at her height, and I think that the people out there still want that from her,” Bartels says. “On the last few albums, something had changed.”
Despite inheriting another reputable vet, Stewart is realistic about the challenge of overturning the results of Jackson’s last two efforts. “Any time you work with a superstar, there’s pressure, especially when they’ve had such an illustrious career,” he says. “It was important that we deliver to her fans classic music to make them fall back in love with Janet.”
“I never put pressure on myself,” Jackson adds. “It’s just, to me, about going in the studio, having fun, enjoy what you’re doing and do it to the best of your ability. You have to be happy with the work that you do.”
As with “20 Y.O.,” where fans got to design their own album covers, Jackson is offering another DIY promotional campaign for “Discipline.” In January, her official Web site (janetjackson.com) launched a contest for fans to create their own homemade videos for “Feedback” and post them on her YouTube channel, Destination Discipline.
In mid- to late summer, Jackson hopes to tour in support of “Discipline.” She continues to avoid endorsement deals, instead using acting to supplement her musical pursuits.
“I like more the creative aspect of things as opposed to coming home with a headache every night with stress up to here,” Jackson says. “It feels great, because I still love what I do, and I’m not about to stop. It’s nice to be able to do it but even nicer that the people still yearn for you after 20-plus years—that they still want to know what’s to come.”
Loveeeeee Janet. Lover her new Video too. Get em Girl !! :dance1:
She looks great. I am routing for her to have a successful come back.
:brownsista:
That almost doesn’t look like her! LOL Kudos to her for making the cover! Love her! :brownsista:
Wow Brownsista you are just killin’ the post today with nothing but the finest! I like this look for Janet. “Queen of the Dance Floor” I LIKE THAT!!!
lets make janet go platinum the same week…! lol !
lets all hit the stores
Janet betta motha flippin’ work!!!!! You go head girl. Putting all us young chicks to shame. Baby I am far from mad. Do you sista. :brownsista: :thumbsup: :bowdown:
GO JANET MISS JACKSON IF U NASTY GO GIRL. CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL YOUR ALBUM COME OUT. :bowdown:
Get it girl, you betta work it!!!!!! That’s what the hell I’m talking about.
:dance1:
TO KANYADE………….N I QUOTE!” Kudos to her for making the cover!” YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING….DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY COVERS JANET JACKSON HAS BEEN ON ? AT LEAST 4 FOR BILL BOARD..YES SHE HAS MADE THEM SOME $$$$$$..so ahh i would not necessarily go as far as to say Janet has made their cover…..wow..amazing…the makeup? and it doesn’t look like janet…it most certainly does….very creative photo..that would make you wonder exactly wat the message is…well thought out…some of you are still confused as to what Callibar Janet falls in…and its not with the stars that are just… “making covers” :roll:
JANET IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT STR8 UP VELVET ROPE JANET
@ 9 read my posts on janet I Am A Fan. :lol: i know who she is and how big she is. Yes she has had many mag. covers i know. My comment wasnt meant to sound mean. Im sorry you took it that way. It is good to see her back on the up and up with mag. covers and all the promotion. Good makeup indeed. Perhaps that is what i intended in my comment. Again sorry you read me that way. Janet FTW 2008!
:dance1: When looking at this picture it reminds me of Michael Jackson, Janet is getting ready to discipline the music industry she is not playing around, she looks so pretty and young on this magazine. Yeah, Janet is billboards biggest artist she has more billboard awards than any other artist and Michael Jackson and Whitney Houstons follows. I love Janet new song and video. MTV & TRL will be showing Janet’s new video on their show on 01/14/08. This is Janet’s year.
I am loving that cover! Ayu wore some pants just like that in one her videos (Not that anyone cares except me…) and Janet is rockin’ them as well. I like the lighting and the badass style and attitude that Janet is taking on with her new album and whatnot. That cover is IT.
:dance1: OH!! I JUST HEARD THAT JANET HAS A SONG ON HER DISCIPLINE ALBUM WITH THE “KING OF POP” MICHAEL JACKSON, I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS ALBUM JANET & MICHAEL AGAIN??? HISTORIC!! THE PICTURE IS BEAUTIFUL!! GO JANET!!
I feel, with this album, unlike with her two previous efforts that Janet is ready!!! I mean the song was just actually released to radios on Mon and she jumped what did it say 30 some odd spots!!!! This is Janet being Janet with the support of a company that she supports!! I’m glad LA Reid is so involved because you know he loves his pop/r&b artists and he knows how to keep them relevant. Big ups Janet and Brown Sista
I just love me some Janet and am SO glad that she’s back to show the music scene what a real dance diva is all about. Like Janet said to Billboard, she’s never been gone so there’s no comeback here, just Miss Janet doing what she does best. “Feedback” is a slick groove and the video is a home run. JJ is at the top of her dance game with moves that are as well-executed as back in the days of “Pleasure Principle” and “Rhythm Nation”. Bring on the Discipline tour!
SHOW EM’ HOW IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE DONE MS. JACKSON :dance: