Musicslave said:

lowkey said:

well its not the same as a lifetime achievement award, BET was built in the video era, almost all of the lifetime honorees contributed nothing really to the video/visual era, they probably were never really even played on BET....she is being crown the ultimate icon of music,dance,visual. i think this award will allow deserving artists from the video era to be honored.

-

Trust me, I have no problem with her being honored. In fact I believe her legacy has been largely ignored, and purposely omitted (until recently). Is there a breakdown somewhere of what criteria they used to honor her this way? Again, I'm not arguing her being honored. Just wondering why create another award in the first place. I like the idea of honoring what she brought to music, dance & video. Did BET mention that?

yes they did. stephen hill's statement mentions janet's impact on bringing music,dance and visuals together.

Musicslave said:

BlackCat1985 said:

lowkey said: Other than Janet and Micheal. Who else can get an award like this. I mean those two to me are the only ones I can see getting it. I know some would say Usher and Beyonce but their videos didn't have the impact that Michael's and Janet's did. It sounds like they created it specifically to honor her.

-

Which makes it sounds a little contrived to me. But again, I'm not mad. Let me put it this way. It's like saying well, since you're not good enough to meet our criteria for a Lifetime Achievement Award, we'll just come up with something, so you can come on our show and debut a new performance and this will help generate ratings.

-

I think honoring her and Smokey Robinson both would have been suffice. It just smells a little too much like when that award show created an award for Beyonce just as she was promoting something (which is often). It thought it was contrived then and this looks suspect to me now. That's all.

not true, she was suppose to get the lifetime award in 2011 but she was on tour and couldnt attend, they are not gonna honor someone who cant be there.

Graycap23 said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Jimmy & Terry are supposed to have produced this whole new album.

No Avila brothers?

[Edited 6/23/15 12:44pm]

yes they are, well at least according to their tweets, but they are part of the flytetyme team so maybe she worked exclusively with that camp.i know that she put the flytetyme logo on the project along with her new RN label, and her JDJ entertainment.

SEANMAN said:

SEANMAN said:

purplethunder3121 said:

BlackCat1985 said:

SEANMAN said:

Raven Symone GEEKING over Janet on The View today...

Although I don't always agree with everything Raven says. This time she got me on her team. I've always known that she is a huge Janet Stan. But it was so refreshing to see not only her but Whooppi and Rosie speak so highly of Janet. Man can you imagine the way Raven would react if Janet does The View? It would be must see TV.

Yes! It's refreshing to see celebrities in awe of your favorite entertainer. I get a kick out of it! Like all the hundreds of celebrities that are in awe of ...

[img:$uid]http://pic80.picturetrail.com:80/VOL2084/9118410/23710928/397039640.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://pic80.picturetrail.com:80/VOL2084/9118410/23710928/398366626.jpg[/img:$uid]

BlackCat1985 said:

Musicslave said:

http://www.bet.com/news/music/2015/06/23/janet-jackson-to-receive-inaugural-ultimate-icon-music-dance-visual-award.html

-

-

"This is Janet Jackson, people! We are excited beyond belief to present her with our inaugural ULTIMATE ICON: Music Dance Visual award and we are thrilled that she chose the BET Awards as the first step on her new road," said Stephen G. Hill, BET's President of Programming. "An inspiration to many other artists, 'Ms. Jackson' ('cause I'm nasty) blends music, dance and visuals in unique and groundbreaking ways and we look forward to celebrating her storied history... as well as giving the BET Awards audience a peek into her Unbreakable future."

-

As she makes her grand return to the music scene, Jackson will be honored like the music royal that she is with performances from three of her biggest contemporary admirers: Tinashe, Jason Derulo and Ciara.

-

Ms. Jackson's comeback has already begun with her first single, "No Sleeep," from her upcoming album — her first in seven years — officially premiering yesterday (June 22). The Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual award will be another honor that Jackson can add to her résumé as she currently holds six Grammys, two Emmys, a Golden Globe, and many others. She is also the first African-American female artist to have hit singles in each of the last four decades, proving that she is very much deserving of this prestigious distinction.

-

Tune in to the 2015 BET Awards this Sunday, June 28, at 8P/7C, hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson. You don't want to miss this!"

-

Britney Spears would be an appropriate addition to that tribute line up too. Her whole stage persona screams Janet. Always has. I'm sure Tinashe and Ciara are beyond excited right now. Don't know why Jason Derulo is there. Pardon my ignorance.

[Edited 6/23/15 11:30am]

Britney Spears as well as Jennifer Lopez(who said that Janet's pleasure principle video was the reason she got into the business) could be included. Britney however can no longer dance the way she use to. So she would not be someone we would want to tribute Janet when it comes to the dance floor.

-

Really...Wasn't aware of that.

lowkey said:

Musicslave said:

-

Trust me, I have no problem with her being honored. In fact I believe her legacy has been largely ignored, and purposely omitted (until recently). Is there a breakdown somewhere of what criteria they used to honor her this way? Again, I'm not arguing her being honored. Just wondering why create another award in the first place. I like the idea of honoring what she brought to music, dance & video. Did BET mention that?

yes they did. stephen hill's statement mentions janet's impact on bringing music,dance and visuals together.

-

Yeah, I eventually saw Stephen's press release. I'm cool with the idea of it being named after her. That's appropriate for all the inspiration she's brought through the years and I'm sure for years to come.

lowkey said:

Musicslave said:

-

Which makes it sounds a little contrived to me. But again, I'm not mad. Let me put it this way. It's like saying well, since you're not good enough to meet our criteria for a Lifetime Achievement Award, we'll just come up with something, so you can come on our show and debut a new performance and this will help generate ratings.

-

I think honoring her and Smokey Robinson both would have been suffice. It just smells a little too much like when that award show created an award for Beyonce just as she was promoting something (which is often). It thought it was contrived then and this looks suspect to me now. That's all.

not true, she was suppose to get the lifetime award in 2011 but she was on tour and couldnt attend, they are not gonna honor someone who cant be there.

-

Cool.

purplethunder3121 said:

Cinnamon234 said:

I love "No Sleep". I must have listened to it 100 times already. Classic Janet. I wonder if Jimmy & Terry produced it? I'm really looking forward to the album and tour (I'm really hoping she'll add an NYC/NJ date).

Jimmy & Terry are supposed to have produced this whole new album.

I'm hoping this is true. I kind of fell off the Janet wagon after she started working with other producers.

BlackCat1985 said:

lowkey said:

well its not the same as a lifetime achievement award, BET was built in the video era, almost all of the lifetime honorees contributed nothing really to the video/visual era, they probably were never really even played on BET....she is being crown the ultimate icon of music,dance,visual. i think this award will allow deserving artists from the video era to be honored.

Other than Janet and Micheal. Who else can get an award like this. I mean those two to me are the only ones I can see getting it. I know some would say Usher and Beyonce but their videos didn't have the impact that Michael's and Janet's did. It sounds like they created it specifically to honor her.

Beyonce and Usher don't deserve an award of that magnitude. Beyonce didnt deserve the MJ MTVone either. None of her videos are memorable, innovative or creative.

Janet DESERVED this. They should have named the award after her. My only complaint is, the people giving her a tribute.

OKAY, Ciara makes sense BUT who are those other two people? They couldn't ask Chris Brown or Omarion? Hell even Mya? Its sad that none of the artists today would give justice to a Janet tribute. I still think nothing touches her ICON special back in the day.

I rather Janet go to BET though than MTV, fuck them.

mjscarousal said:

Janet DESERVED this. They should have named the award after her. My only complaint is, the people giving her a tribute.

OKAY, Ciara makes sense BUT who are those other two people? They couldn't ask Chris Brown or Omarion? Hell even Mya? Its sad that none of the artists today would give justice to a Janet tribute. I still think nothing touches her ICON special back in the day.

I rather Janet go to BET though than MTV, fuck them.

this is whats out there currently. look at the contrast in talent from her mtv icon tribute to this one.

lowkey said:

mjscarousal said:

Janet DESERVED this. They should have named the award after her. My only complaint is, the people giving her a tribute.

OKAY, Ciara makes sense BUT who are those other two people? They couldn't ask Chris Brown or Omarion? Hell even Mya? Its sad that none of the artists today would give justice to a Janet tribute. I still think nothing touches her ICON special back in the day.

I rather Janet go to BET though than MTV, fuck them.

this is whats out there currently. look at the contrast in talent from her mtv icon tribute to this one.

Agree. I just personally feel like she deserves a better tribute. Also Janet is not JUST an Icon because of her dancing and videos . She is an Icon because of her classic music, her ballads, her creative style, etc. I like to see some singers do some of her ballads. We will see. I still think there could have been a better line up.

purplethunder3121 said:

Cinnamon234 said:

I love "No Sleep". I must have listened to it 100 times already. Classic Janet. I wonder if Jimmy & Terry produced it? I'm really looking forward to the album and tour (I'm really hoping she'll add an NYC/NJ date).

Jimmy & Terry are supposed to have produced this whole new album.

Ohhhhh man, if this is true then we surely will have a beast of an album this summer!!!!

I agree they should have singers tribute Janet. I would like to see Toni Braxton sing TTWLG.

mjscarousal said:

lowkey said:

this is whats out there currently. look at the contrast in talent from her mtv icon tribute to this one.

Agree. I just personally feel like she deserves a better tribute. Also Janet is not JUST an Icon because of her dancing and videos . She is an Icon because of her classic music, her ballads, her creative style, etc. I like to see some singers do some of her ballads. We will see. I still think there could have been a better line up.

You how BET loves to eff things up. Why in the world get that cornball Jason Durulo to do a tribute? And that Tinashe chick doesn't impress me much. I'd prefer a 5 minute vignette of flashbacks of her videos and interviews from back in the day highlighting her talents rather than watch laskluster tribute performances. Remember when Prince was honored by the Soul Train Music awards in '92 (when he wore that lime green pant outfit : )? That was the best vignette they showed of his career up until that point and I thought it was done in excellent taste.

missfee said:

mjscarousal said:

Agree. I just personally feel like she deserves a better tribute. Also Janet is not JUST an Icon because of her dancing and videos . She is an Icon because of her classic music, her ballads, her creative style, etc. I like to see some singers do some of her ballads. We will see. I still think there could have been a better line up.

You how BET loves to eff things up. Why in the world get that cornball Jason Durulo to do a tribute? And that Tinashe chick doesn't impress me much. I'd prefer a 5 minute vignette of flashbacks of her videos and interviews from back in the day highlighting her talents rather than watch laskluster tribute performances. Remember when Prince was honored by the Soul Train Music awards in '92 (when he wore that lime green pant outfit : )? That was the best vignette they showed of his career up until that point and I thought it was done in excellent taste.

-

I don't think I saw that. May have to find it on YT.

mjscarousal said:

Janet DESERVED this. They should have named the award after her. My only complaint is, the people giving her a tribute.

OKAY, Ciara makes sense BUT who are those other two people? They couldn't ask Chris Brown or Omarion? Hell even Mya? Its sad that none of the artists today would give justice to a Janet tribute. I still think nothing touches her ICON special back in the day.

I rather Janet go to BET though than MTV, fuck them.

-

Chris Brown would have been a good addition to that line up. He too have cited her and her videos for inspiration. Hell, that old video of his, "Yeah" was just a retread of Janet's "Alright" (Which was one of my favorites btw) video.

Knowing Chris he will make a surprise appearance for her tribute. One thing I will say about Ciara, she can dance her ass off! She is arguably the best female dancer in rnb right now & VERY LIMBER.

She can do the WHOLE tribute herself..

The reviews for NO SLEEEP have been great

PITCHFORK

If there’s one thing tying together the loose ends of pop in 2015, it’s the still-brilliant sparkle of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis—stretching from their contributions to the Time to their decades of songwriting and production work for Janet Jackson and beyond. You can hear their influence everywhere right now: in Dev Hynes’ work for Carly Rae Jepsen, the more purple-hued moments of Miguel’s Wildheart, select cuts from Jason Derulo’s latest, the Weeknd’s recent pivot "Can’t Feel My Face".

Ms. Jackson could’ve returned from her seven-year hiatus with the snappy, funked-out choreography of her late '80s catalog, or the slick electronics of her mid-'00s, to show the kids how the hell it's done. Instead, for the lead single off her 11th album, she’s called up Jam and Lewis and gone full-on quiet storm. "No Sleeep" evokes her richest and most breathtaking era: the mid-'90s stretch including 1993’s super-sensual janet., and especially 1997’s inimitable and deeply personal classic, The Velvet Rope.

Velvet Rope was a sexy album, but its hottest moments were shaded by an unshakeable darkness, a yawning black hole of self-doubt. The nagging fear that you are not deserving of love, physical and otherwise, provides the album’s essential tensions, tugging against its carnality. "No Sleeep", with its languid downtempo slink, offers a similar sensuality; her delivery is husky, understated, coyly discreet, refraining from those moments of falsetto. But in attitude, it's miles away from stuff like "Empty". Toying with the imagined details of a weekend spent "doing whatever" (wink), Jackson exudes a calm, confident glow—the self-possessed freedom Velvet Rope Jackson only imagined. It's a study in grace, and the ultimate expression of summer lust: you can feel the humidity in your hair, the sweaty sheets, and the relief as Jackson’s quiet storm becomes literal as a summer rain.

THE MUSE

EMERGENCY! New Janet Jackson Song, 'No Sleeep,' Is Out, Is Great!

Janet Jackson Unbreakable tour tickets went on sale today, and as a motivator, the god Miss Jackson dropped her first song in seven years, “No Sleeep,” which she dedicated on Twitter to “My Love,” husband Wissam Al Mana, a gazillionaire from Qatar.

It’s a perfect Janet comeback single, really; it’s nothing too outré, and she is as ever sticking to her oeuvre, never trying too hard to sound “relevant” in the context of today’s popular youth music because bitch, she’s Janet. Then again, give credit for the Janet Jackson-Jimmy Jam-Terry Lewis power trio for creating a sound for the willowy-voiced star that is both unique to her and classic through time. “No Sleeep” makes great use of her lithe vocals, the breathiness as ever connoting an intimacy over a rain-infused two-stepping slow jam, a love-making number whose sound you can trace all the way back to “Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun),” through the Velvet Rope years, past Damita Jo and squarely into 2015 flawlessly. This is lovely and the no-doubt 16,000 house reworks that show up on Soundcloud (RIP) today will absolutely not be able to top it.

YAHOO MUSIC

Janet Returns to Her Roots on New Song, ‘No Sleeep’

Janet knows what her fans want and serves it to them on a silver platter with the release of “No Sleeep” (extra “e” intentional), her first single from a studio album in eight years.

Though Janet is known for reinventing her sound from album to album, “No Sleeep” takes on elements of “Miss You Much” and “That’s the Way Loves Goes” that kicked off her 1989 album Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 and 1993’s janet., respectively.

Since Janet has taken such a long hiatus from music, it’s clever to return with “No Sleeep,” a song that plays up the notion of reuniting with a loved one. Even though she revealed via Twitter that the song is dedicated to her “love,” husband Wissam Al Mana, the sentiment could also be applied to her adoring fans. Conceptually, she found success when taking a similar approach with “Miss You Much,” scoring a No. 1 hit.

Musically, the dance diva makes a comeback with an easy, knocking, mid-tempo track produced in the vein of “That’s the Way Love Goes,” that also topped the charts.

The sound celebrates her reunion with her longtime producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Her last singles – “Nothing,” “Make Me,” “Rock With U,” and “Feedback” – were produced by either her ex Jermaine Dupri or Rodney Jerkins.

“No Sleeep” is the lead single from her 11th studio album,Conversations in a Café, due out this year on her label Rhythm Nation Records/BMG. The singer launches her Unbreakable World Tour on August 31 in Vancouver. Her last studio album, Discipline, was released in 2008.

E! ONLINE

(they totally botched the lyrics, but...)

It's the moment we've all been waiting for!

Janet Jackson debuted her highly anticipated new single "No Sleeep" to much fanfare Monday morning. The 49-year-old singer, who is recording her first album in seven years and will kick off a world tour later this year, worked with veteran producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on the laid-back track. "I dedicate this to My Love," she tweeted, referring to husband, business magnate Wissam Al Mana.

(Yes, she spelled the title with three e's.)

Jackson teased fans with a snippet over the weekend.

The track opens with Jackson crooning the chorus: "You're missing me / I'm missing you / Wherever we meet / We ain't gonna get no sleep / You came to me to get back with you /'Cause we are complete / We ain't gonna get no sleep."

"A vision rolling round in my head / But I don't really talk about it / I'm loving what you're doing to me / And I don't wanna talk about it / Day and night, I dream of us doing whatever / But I guess I'll have to wait until that day comes," she sings in the first verse. In the second verse, Jackson sings, "Stay wide awake / For every moment we spend together / Cause every second shows away feels like forever."

Jackson's vocals are especially impressive in the bridge. "Thought I told you sleep away can't dream so fade outside the box, my baby," she sings. "No matter how much you are missing me, I read between the lines / And touch and hope it rains."

Jackson's world tour begins Aug. 31 at the Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

LA TIMES

Janet Jackson is officially back.

After announcing a new album and tour on her birthday last month, the pop diva unveiled Monday morning “No Sleeep,” her first new music in more than five years. The track is the first single from her upcoming, as yet untitled new album.

On the slow jam, which she dedicated to her “love” (Jackson quietly married in 2012), she promises a lover a long night of passion.

“It’s going to be a weekend marathon / so you better get ready my king / ’cause I’ma be the queen of insomnia,” she sings.

The track is sexy and smooth in its melodies and a welcome throwback to Jackson's groove-heavy, candle-lit R&B of the '90s (we suggest revisiting 1993’s “Janet”).

For "No Sleeep," Jackson reunited with longtime producers and friends Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, which is likely to be heard as welcome news from fans. The pair hasn’t led one of her projects since 2006’s “20 Y.O.”

Jackson’s new album, which is due in the fall, will be released on BMG and her own Rhythm Nation imprint. Her recently announced Unbreakable World Tour will hit the Forum in October.

TIME

She promises to be "the queen of insomnia" on this sexy slow jam

Janet Jackson doesn’t like to keep her fans waiting. After promising “new music, new world tour, a new movement” in May, she’s delivered in all fronts. (Well, the movement part is still to come.)

The singer premiered her new single “No Sleeep”—no, she’s not falling a sleep on her keyboard, it’s purposefully spelled that way—a few days after announcing the North American dates for her Unbreakable World Tour. Don’t be fooled by its title: the collaboration with longtime pals Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis isn’t another “All Nite”-esque banger, but a sexy slow jam about getting quality time with a lover. “It’s going to be a weekend marathon / so you better get ready my king / ’cause I’ma be the queen of insomnia,” she sings. Don’t keep her waiting — listen below:

THE BOOMBOX

Janet Jackson Delivers Sultry New Single ‘No Sleeep’

After announcing that she would deliver new music back in May, Janet Jackson is right on time with her new song. The sultry pop icon is back in pure form with her new single, “No Sleeep.”

Rather than succumb to the fortuitous shift in music, Miss Jackson stays in her lane on “No Sleeep.” Instead of belting high notes or adding plush-sounding drums to make her track a radio-friendly, she is cooler than the other side of the pillow.

The melodious song will certainly instill goosebumps to her day-one fans and reminding them of vintage Janet. “You’re missing me, I’m missing you / Whenever we meet, we ain’t gonna get no sleep,” she sings angelically on the chorus.

With Janet’s last album Discipline dropping over seven years ago, this track serves as her comeback single. Judging by the sound of it, “No Sleeep” certainly will make everyone anxious for her new album.

We would be remiss to say that having Janet back doesn’t make our hearts flutter. Her inactivity left us despondent for years. Now, her decision to return back to music should be interesting.

The 49-year-old singer has launched a new record label called Rhythm Nation Records and she has Unbreakable Tour dates locked in.

All we need now is an album release date because it seems as if Janet Season is about to commence.

IB TIMES

Janet Jackson is back with a bang. The 49-year-old singer took to Twitter Monday to debut "No Sleeep," her new single from her upcoming yet-untitled album.

"I dedicate this to My Love," the singer wrote on Twitter along with a hashtag #ConversationsInACafe. The hashtag fueled speculation it might be the name of her new album. "No Sleeep" is the first song released by Jackson in seven years. Her last album, “Discipline” was released in 2008, debuting at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and became her sixth work to top the charts. “Discipline” was also Jackson's first album to reach top spot in the United States after “All for You,” which was released in 2001.

Jackson's longtime friends, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, produced “No Sleeep.” The song is available to purchase via BMG and Jackson's record label Rhythm Nation. The new single from her upcoming 11th album sees the songstress crooning about how much she misses her lover.

"Whenever we meet, we ain't gonna get no sleep,” she whispers. "It's going to be a weekend marathon / so you better get ready my king / 'cause I'ma be the queen of insomnia," she sings. "Stay wide awake / for every moment we spend together/ Cause every second you're awake feels like forever."

Last month, the six-time Grammy winner also announced her 36-date "Unbreakable World Tour." The tour kicks off Aug. 31 at the Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena in Vancouver and will see Jackson playing in 32 cities worldwide. Various artists, including Ciara, are also expected to pay a tribute to Jackson Sunday when she appears at the BET Awards, Page Six reported, adding she will make her comeback at the event.

STEREOGUM

Janet Jackson has been quiet for a long time, but she’s about to come back with a new album, probably titled Conversations In A Cafe, and a new world tour. Today, she shared “No Sleeep,” her first single in seven years. As blockbuster returns go, this one is refreshingly quiet. It’s a slinky, whispery song, built more around a vampy groove than on any obvious hook. Jackson recorded it with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the great production duo that she’s been working with since the ’80s. She’s always sounded a lot like Michael, but she sounds even more like him than usual on this one. Listen to it below.

FACTMAG

She’s back and sultrier than ever.

Janet Jackson has unveiled her first new song in six years, ‘No Sleeep’, and it’s a quiet storm jewel with some deep bass propulsion. Pure boudoir stuff – stream it below.

Her new album is set to drop later this year through BMG and her own newly formed label Rhythm Nation, supported by a huge world tour kicking off in North America.

Ahead of that, discover the six Janet songs that prov...d it first.

Nice cover...

GMA covers Janet's return...

missfee said:

mjscarousal said:

Agree. I just personally feel like she deserves a better tribute. Also Janet is not JUST an Icon because of her dancing and videos . She is an Icon because of her classic music, her ballads, her creative style, etc. I like to see some singers do some of her ballads. We will see. I still think there could have been a better line up.

You how BET loves to eff things up. Why in the world get that cornball Jason Durulo to do a tribute? And that Tinashe chick doesn't impress me much. I'd prefer a 5 minute vignette of flashbacks of her videos and interviews from back in the day highlighting her talents rather than watch laskluster tribute performances. Remember when Prince was honored by the Soul Train Music awards in '92 (when he wore that lime green pant outfit : )? That was the best vignette they showed of his career up until that point and I thought it was done in excellent taste.

I honestly think Janet should have went to Soul Train. They would have given her a better tribute. They already gave her a tribute in the 90's but Soul Train is more along her calibar imho. Janet is a Icon. Why is Jason and that other chick giving her a tribute? Someone said they could have asked Toni and I agree or TLC, Brandy,etc people who have actually been influenced by her. BET is a hot ghetto mess and they never do anything right.

were these video links to The View and GMA dead on arrival or discovered and pulled? frustrating

SEANMAN said:

The reviews for NO SLEEEP have been great

PITCHFORK

If there’s one thing tying together the loose ends of pop in 2015, it’s the still-brilliant sparkle of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis—stretching from their contributions to the Time to their decades of songwriting and production work for Janet Jackson and beyond. You can hear their influence everywhere right now: in Dev Hynes’ work for Carly Rae Jepsen, the more purple-hued moments of Miguel’s Wildheart, select cuts from Jason Derulo’s latest, the Weeknd’s recent pivot "Can’t Feel My Face".

Ms. Jackson could’ve returned from her seven-year hiatus with the snappy, funked-out choreography of her late '80s catalog, or the slick electronics of her mid-'00s, to show the kids how the hell it's done. Instead, for the lead single off her 11th album, she’s called up Jam and Lewis and gone full-on quiet storm. "No Sleeep" evokes her richest and most breathtaking era: the mid-'90s stretch including 1993’s super-sensual janet., and especially 1997’s inimitable and deeply personal classic, The Velvet Rope.

Velvet Rope was a sexy album, but its hottest moments were shaded by an unshakeable darkness, a yawning black hole of self-doubt. The nagging fear that you are not deserving of love, physical and otherwise, provides the album’s essential tensions, tugging against its carnality. "No Sleeep", with its languid downtempo slink, offers a similar sensuality; her delivery is husky, understated, coyly discreet, refraining from those moments of falsetto. But in attitude, it's miles away from stuff like "Empty". Toying with the imagined details of a weekend spent "doing whatever" (wink), Jackson exudes a calm, confident glow—the self-possessed freedom Velvet Rope Jackson only imagined. It's a study in grace, and the ultimate expression of summer lust: you can feel the humidity in your hair, the sweaty sheets, and the relief as Jackson’s quiet storm becomes literal as a summer rain.

THE MUSE

EMERGENCY! New Janet Jackson Song, 'No Sleeep,' Is Out, Is Great!

Janet Jackson Unbreakable tour tickets went on sale today, and as a motivator, the god Miss Jackson dropped her first song in seven years, “No Sleeep,” which she dedicated on Twitter to “My Love,” husband Wissam Al Mana, a gazillionaire from Qatar.

It’s a perfect Janet comeback single, really; it’s nothing too outré, and she is as ever sticking to her oeuvre, never trying too hard to sound “relevant” in the context of today’s popular youth music because bitch, she’s Janet. Then again, give credit for the Janet Jackson-Jimmy Jam-Terry Lewis power trio for creating a sound for the willowy-voiced star that is both unique to her and classic through time. “No Sleeep” makes great use of her lithe vocals, the breathiness as ever connoting an intimacy over a rain-infused two-stepping slow jam, a love-making number whose sound you can trace all the way back to “Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun),” through the Velvet Rope years, past Damita Jo and squarely into 2015 flawlessly. This is lovely and the no-doubt 16,000 house reworks that show up on Soundcloud (RIP) today will absolutely not be able to top it.

YAHOO MUSIC

Janet Returns to Her Roots on New Song, ‘No Sleeep’

Janet knows what her fans want and serves it to them on a silver platter with the release of “No Sleeep” (extra “e” intentional), her first single from a studio album in eight years.

Though Janet is known for reinventing her sound from album to album, “No Sleeep” takes on elements of “Miss You Much” and “That’s the Way Loves Goes” that kicked off her 1989 album Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 and 1993’s janet., respectively.

Since Janet has taken such a long hiatus from music, it’s clever to return with “No Sleeep,” a song that plays up the notion of reuniting with a loved one. Even though she revealed via Twitter that the song is dedicated to her “love,” husband Wissam Al Mana, the sentiment could also be applied to her adoring fans. Conceptually, she found success when taking a similar approach with “Miss You Much,” scoring a No. 1 hit.

Musically, the dance diva makes a comeback with an easy, knocking, mid-tempo track produced in the vein of “That’s the Way Love Goes,” that also topped the charts.

The sound celebrates her reunion with her longtime producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Her last singles – “Nothing,” “Make Me,” “Rock With U,” and “Feedback” – were produced by either her ex Jermaine Dupri or Rodney Jerkins.

“No Sleeep” is the lead single from her 11th studio album,Conversations in a Café, due out this year on her label Rhythm Nation Records/BMG. The singer launches her Unbreakable World Tour on August 31 in Vancouver. Her last studio album, Discipline, was released in 2008.

E! ONLINE

(they totally botched the lyrics, but...)

It's the moment we've all been waiting for!

Janet Jackson debuted her highly anticipated new single "No Sleeep" to much fanfare Monday morning. The 49-year-old singer, who is recording her first album in seven years and will kick off a world tour later this year, worked with veteran producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on the laid-back track. "I dedicate this to My Love," she tweeted, referring to husband, business magnate Wissam Al Mana.

(Yes, she spelled the title with three e's.)

Jackson teased fans with a snippet over the weekend.

The track opens with Jackson crooning the chorus: "You're missing me / I'm missing you / Wherever we meet / We ain't gonna get no sleep / You came to me to get back with you /'Cause we are complete / We ain't gonna get no sleep."

"A vision rolling round in my head / But I don't really talk about it / I'm loving what you're doing to me / And I don't wanna talk about it / Day and night, I dream of us doing whatever / But I guess I'll have to wait until that day comes," she sings in the first verse. In the second verse, Jackson sings, "Stay wide awake / For every moment we spend together / Cause every second shows away feels like forever."

Jackson's vocals are especially impressive in the bridge. "Thought I told you sleep away can't dream so fade outside the box, my baby," she sings. "No matter how much you are missing me, I read between the lines / And touch and hope it rains."

Jackson's world tour begins Aug. 31 at the Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

LA TIMES

Janet Jackson is officially back.

After announcing a new album and tour on her birthday last month, the pop diva unveiled Monday morning “No Sleeep,” her first new music in more than five years. The track is the first single from her upcoming, as yet untitled new album.

On the slow jam, which she dedicated to her “love” (Jackson quietly married in 2012), she promises a lover a long night of passion.

“It’s going to be a weekend marathon / so you better get ready my king / ’cause I’ma be the queen of insomnia,” she sings.

The track is sexy and smooth in its melodies and a welcome throwback to Jackson's groove-heavy, candle-lit R&B of the '90s (we suggest revisiting 1993’s “Janet”).

For "No Sleeep," Jackson reunited with longtime producers and friends Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, which is likely to be heard as welcome news from fans. The pair hasn’t led one of her projects since 2006’s “20 Y.O.”

Jackson’s new album, which is due in the fall, will be released on BMG and her own Rhythm Nation imprint. Her recently announced Unbreakable World Tour will hit the Forum in October.

TIME

She promises to be "the queen of insomnia" on this sexy slow jam

Janet Jackson doesn’t like to keep her fans waiting. After promising “new music, new world tour, a new movement” in May, she’s delivered in all fronts. (Well, the movement part is still to come.)

The singer premiered her new single “No Sleeep”—no, she’s not falling a sleep on her keyboard, it’s purposefully spelled that way—a few days after announcing the North American dates for her Unbreakable World Tour. Don’t be fooled by its title: the collaboration with longtime pals Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis isn’t another “All Nite”-esque banger, but a sexy slow jam about getting quality time with a lover. “It’s going to be a weekend marathon / so you better get ready my king / ’cause I’ma be the queen of insomnia,” she sings. Don’t keep her waiting — listen below:

THE BOOMBOX

Janet Jackson Delivers Sultry New Single ‘No Sleeep’

After announcing that she would deliver new music back in May, Janet Jackson is right on time with her new song. The sultry pop icon is back in pure form with her new single, “No Sleeep.”

Rather than succumb to the fortuitous shift in music, Miss Jackson stays in her lane on “No Sleeep.” Instead of belting high notes or adding plush-sounding drums to make her track a radio-friendly, she is cooler than the other side of the pillow.

The melodious song will certainly instill goosebumps to her day-one fans and reminding them of vintage Janet. “You’re missing me, I’m missing you / Whenever we meet, we ain’t gonna get no sleep,” she sings angelically on the chorus.

With Janet’s last album Discipline dropping over seven years ago, this track serves as her comeback single. Judging by the sound of it, “No Sleeep” certainly will make everyone anxious for her new album.

We would be remiss to say that having Janet back doesn’t make our hearts flutter. Her inactivity left us despondent for years. Now, her decision to return back to music should be interesting.

The 49-year-old singer has launched a new record label called Rhythm Nation Records and she has Unbreakable Tour dates locked in.

All we need now is an album release date because it seems as if Janet Season is about to commence.

IB TIMES

Janet Jackson is back with a bang. The 49-year-old singer took to Twitter Monday to debut "No Sleeep," her new single from her upcoming yet-untitled album.

"I dedicate this to My Love," the singer wrote on Twitter along with a hashtag #ConversationsInACafe. The hashtag fueled speculation it might be the name of her new album. "No Sleeep" is the first song released by Jackson in seven years. Her last album, “Discipline” was released in 2008, debuting at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and became her sixth work to top the charts. “Discipline” was also Jackson's first album to reach top spot in the United States after “All for You,” which was released in 2001.

Jackson's longtime friends, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, produced “No Sleeep.” The song is available to purchase via BMG and Jackson's record label Rhythm Nation. The new single from her upcoming 11th album sees the songstress crooning about how much she misses her lover.

"Whenever we meet, we ain't gonna get no sleep,” she whispers. "It's going to be a weekend marathon / so you better get ready my king / 'cause I'ma be the queen of insomnia," she sings. "Stay wide awake / for every moment we spend together/ Cause every second you're awake feels like forever."

Last month, the six-time Grammy winner also announced her 36-date "Unbreakable World Tour." The tour kicks off Aug. 31 at the Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena in Vancouver and will see Jackson playing in 32 cities worldwide. Various artists, including Ciara, are also expected to pay a tribute to Jackson Sunday when she appears at the BET Awards, Page Six reported, adding she will make her comeback at the event.

STEREOGUM

Janet Jackson has been quiet for a long time, but she’s about to come back with a new album, probably titled Conversations In A Cafe, and a new world tour. Today, she shared “No Sleeep,” her first single in seven years. As blockbuster returns go, this one is refreshingly quiet. It’s a slinky, whispery song, built more around a vampy groove than on any obvious hook. Jackson recorded it with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the great production duo that she’s been working with since the ’80s. She’s always sounded a lot like Michael, but she sounds even more like him than usual on this one. Listen to it below.

FACTMAG

She’s back and sultrier than ever.

Janet Jackson has unveiled her first new song in six years, ‘No Sleeep’, and it’s a quiet storm jewel with some deep bass propulsion. Pure boudoir stuff – stream it below.

Her new album is set to drop later this year through BMG and her own newly formed label Rhythm Nation, supported by a huge world tour kicking off in North America.

Ahead of that, discover the six Janet songs that prov...d it first.

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Hey SEANMAN,

Any word on radio impressions?

[Edited 6/25/15 19:43pm]

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

[img:$uid]http://i59.tinypic.com/14twqq.jpg[/img:$uid]

please stop

lowkey said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

[img:$uid]http://i59.tinypic.com/14twqq.jpg[/img:$uid]

please stop

This poster looks nothing like Janet Jackson.

purplethunder3121 said: