Is Janet Losing Control?

Pop icon slow to the game

by j. brotherlove

If you are a Janet fan, do you feel like you are being played? Seriously. Considering her extended hiatus and music success, there should be major buzz for her return. Um, but there isn’t. If Janet doesn’t bring it with 20 Years Old (possibly, the worst CD title of the year), I suspect nOva’s proposition of "a full scale mutiny" will come to fruition.

I lost faith in Janet during The Velvet Rope era. Uneven and weird, I just couldn’t see Ms. Jackson’s vision; and neither could she, in my opinion. Her supporting stage show (the one I paid a fistful of dough to see) was also lackluster, plagued by her half-stepping dance moves and crying for 15 minutes. I wanted my money back. My defense was to stop spending money on Janet. I haven’t regretted that decision.

But exactly what is going on with her? If Janet was smart, she would’ve performed at one or more of the black gay pride events by now and released a much better single with hot club remixes. Some TV performances and a video would be nice, too. But nothing but crickets and crumbs from her camp for the most part. Is Janet content on living off her advance and going through the motions to fulfill her contract?

Clown Mariah if you wish, but MiMi hustles. Likewise, Beyonce and Christina work hard to get our attention. Outside of Janet’s crazy weight loss and the titty-pop, she appears pretty lazy considering her status as a pop icon. Is she up for the battle this fall?

I heard her lead single "Call On Me" this past weekend for the first time. My impression? I didn’t know it was her until the DJ said something. Not a good thing for an "icon". Of course, none of this will prevent fans from gobbling up her CD when it hits the Internet store shelves. But, Janet needs new fans to be really successful. The prospect of that happening looks dim right now. Such are the perils of worshipping false idols.

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j, I’m gonna need you to get out of my head. I was just talking about this last night with a friend of mine. Janet’s problem is that she is stuck. Stuck on sex. Stuck on…her stomach. I dunno. I’m all about a sultry image, and fun CDs, but I feel like she has been talking the same mess since “All For You.” I’m really gonna need her to reinvent herself. I haven’t even heard this “Call On Me” track, and I have to say I’m not really that interested. After “Damito Jo” (gag), I was officially done spending money on her.

I agree. I don’t think she is going to make big splash this time. Anitra is right, Janet is just…stuck.

I was a hardcore Janet fan from Control to the Janet album and she lost me on The Velvet Rope. Its not that she lost me, she was just lost her self. When Damita Jo came out, I totally ignored it. This little kitten/little girl act needs to stop. I liked her when she was in Control , when she was leading the Rhythm Nation and when she was just Janet because she was acting like a grown up. I know it its not that serious but Janet needs to get back into Control.