In a teleconference with a select group of bloggers yesterday, Janet talked about her dealings with IDJ and plans for her upcoming tour. Hip-hop blog SOHH.com fills us in on some of her answers.

The site also revealed that Janet's upcoming book, due in November, will be titled Me.

When asked what her next single would be, Janet replied:


"That's pretty difficult to say, only because of the record label at this point. We started off with "Feedback" and the label and myself haven't quite seen eye to eye since the "Feedback" single so they've kind of basically stopped all promotion. I'm trying to figure out a way to say this, but just to say it and to be quite honest, they just stopped all promotion whatsoever on the album so I don't think you're going to hear another single off this album."

Some details about the upcoming tour:


"It's a completely different show, like nothing before in the past. My real goal is to try and do every single I've ever had... so I have to figure out how to fit that into two hours and yet give them enough so they don't feel hungry for more of that song in particular."

Why she named it the Rock Witchu Tour:


"It's fitting to me, fitting to what the show will be like. It's a dance show, it's all upbeat I want it to be a party onstage, a party in the arena. I've always said when people come to these shows I want them to forget about all their problems all the drama in their lives and just have a good time, just let it go for a couple hours and bring some happiness into their lives. It's going to be one big party, I want to 'Rock Witchu.'"

About visiting Europe:


"I just want to let the fans know because I've been reading a lot what the bloggers have been saying about the record and not hearing it on the radio and stuff like that, so I just wanted to let them know where things were as well and where it was all coming from. I've heard people talking about me not coming to Europe in support of the record just to let them know that it was definitely in my heart to go to Europe and to support this album but it's about teamwork, it's not something I can totally do on my own. Unfortunately things have turned out the way that they have with the differences between the label and myself, which we have been having for the most part from the beginning. So I just want to tell them again thank you very much for all the love and all the support and I they understand the entire situation and I'm really excited to see everybody on tour. I'm really looking forward to that it's going to be a lot of fun."

looks like her relationship with Island/Def Jam is deteriorating.I think both sides blame each other for the poor sales of 'Discipline'.

and the people from Virgin Records laugh their collective asses off.
(including me)
[Edited 6/6/08 6:47am]

banks said:

Damn. Too bad. It's a good album and worth promoting.

She can't blame everything on the record company.Janet herself didn't do a whole lot of promotion for 'Discipline'.These days,artists have to be really aggressive in how they market and promote their music.They can't sit back,stay at home and expect the record label to just "deliver" a hit record to them.

I can't believe they're keeping the title Me for her book.

Tour sounds like it might be interesting but I still have some distrust. Might pick up a cheapy ticket for NYC for the hell of it.

So IDJ just said fuhgeddaboutit, huh? Shady.

what about the Troll and the negative effect he's had on her carear?

ehuffnsd said:

He's part of the problem,too.She needs to get a new manager and politely tell Jermaine to stay out of her career.

Also get from under L.A Reid's umbrella.
He rushed the discipline project anyway.
I don't think janet was really ready to get back out
there just yet.
[Edited 6/6/08 9:34am]

But what is there reason for prematurely giving up on one of her better albums in years?

JackieBlue said:

Um, maybe because it's NOT?
Bottom line is this, i've said it before i and worked three of Janet's albums. SHE CAN'T SING!
And Terry and Jimmy have shown that they are the ONLY producers that really know how to hide her singing flaws.

No Terry and Jimmy, no hits.

ButterscotchPimp said:

I agree about her singing but I do think Discipline was better than 20 YO and Damita Jo.

JackieBlue said:

Personally i thought it was on par with both of those.

JackieBlue said:

the best tracks on All 4 U were the Rockwilder tracks.

T&L and JJ should have ended their working relationship after the Velvet Rope. Discipline is the best album of this decade for JJ

Well at least she's following through with her tour plans.

ButterscotchPimp said:

You're right,Jam and Lewis were genuises at making Janet sound good despite her vocal limitations but I don't think there's anything more they can do for Janet.They ran out of ideas many years ago.

ButterscotchPimp said:

I totally agree. Janet does not have any talent as a singer. Sure, she's a sweet gal and all, but now that she's 40 she can't get away with just being sweet. People want to know if she has talent and it's obvious that she does not. She can bust a move, but even those have gotten as stale as old bread these past few years.

SoulAlive said:

Amen 2 that. I think Janet should do her OWN promotion. Why not do interviews on Regis & Kelly, The View, etc. (more than the week of release).

Empress said:

I disagree with most of what you said, which is mostly an opinion. First and foremost, Janet is an entertainer.

i think janet should have done without a label, sign a contract with aeg or livention like madonna did. Janet's thing is live shows, she does not seem to have a lot of control over the output of her music anymore under record labels. i think they were dissappointed with how much Feedback flopped so they stopped promoting it.

wonder505 said:

To me, its like they almost wanted it to flop. They did not push "Feedback" at radio. The album cover/packaging/etc. were hideous.

Now, I'm not going to blame them for everything. I have to blame Janet for doing such a horrible video for the single and also for the horrible choreography (thanx 2 Gil) for the live performances. That rolling on the floor with the exercise ball was HORRIBLE!!

SoulAlive said:

These days, all labels within Universal use media hype to get by promoting album they think will be a hit of THAT moment in time. And as soon as they notice that they can't sell Janet the same way you can sell a rapper of the month, they stop believe in Discipline.

Well all Janet sings about it sex and that gets old after awhile and people's interest of her begin to wean.
[Edited 6/6/08 14:05pm]

It'll be interesting to see what Janet does next.Another album like 'Discipline' isn't likely to be a hit.You have to wonder if Island/Def Jam will just decide to cut their losses and drop her.

wonder505 said:

I wouldn't be surprised if Janet tries to get a deal like Madonna's LiveNation deal.

SoulAlive said:

I don't think she will. Janet doesn't have the kind of fan base where you can charge $300 a ticket. She's probably going to have to do something TOTALLY different in entertainment and leave the music thing alone for a while. I hear American Idol is looking to revamp.

daPrettyman said:

i do blame janet for the lack of promotion.. cause she could have done more shows, and had a better dance/performance routine.... instead of just hitting the big national shows... she could have done clubs, small local stations...

so part of it was her fault.. but i also knew the record label was at fault too... i noticed they gave more attention to other artists and i do understand its business.. but how can you expect to sell a lot of albums if you don't promote it like the others..

I just dont care anymore.