granted, it did steady but not spectacular numbers...but recent cd's by the over-the-hill gang (Whitney, Prince (pre-Musicology), Madonna, Michael, Bruce, Mariah) have not really torn up the top 5 lately anyway...so who's to say that maybe DJ was headed for a #14 or #20 debut, and that the Titty-gate scandal actually kinda spiked sales? just wondering...
[Edited 10/21/04 8:56am]
[Edited 10/21/04 8:57am]

True. It definitely could've debuted lower. Her appearance helped the general public know she had an album coming out, apparently not many knew from what I hear. Due to her previous track record, I think people bought it simply because it's Janet Jackson. Then they actually heard it.

Hope I made that clear. That initial onslaught of album sales can be a blessing or a curse.

If JanFriend or JanFan4l ask...nobody saw me.

After All For You and with All Nite (Don't Stop) as a first single, the record would have debuted at #1 very easily. Virgin fucked it up. Nipplegate probably hurt Janet way more than it helped her.

Even Madonna's American Life managed to debut at #1, although Janet's record had a higher first-week tally.

Did "Titty-gate" help boost 'Damita Jo''s sales?

Aside from directing the publics' attention away from her Brother's child molestation charge, I wasn't aware there was another reason 4 that stunt...

Performing on the superbowl, titty or not, helps awareness of new product. I bet it did help.

I don't think it's fair to compare her to "over the hill" artists though. Janet and her audience are much younger.

Titty-gate definitely hurt "Damita Jo". Radio was skittish (as always) and didn't play her at all. That is what really hurt the album.

CynicKill said:

oh right. that's true, it did have a negative effect on later promotional outlets.

Janet had another album?
damn, where the hell have i been lol

CinisterCee said:

AKA the whole album release and all of its singles.

Album was released on March 30, so the backlash had set in after a month (kind of like gangrene).

CinisterCee said:

Janet's audience is DEFINITELY young. Most tours I attend and most message boards I go into, her core fans are under the age of 25. A lot under 21. She has fans over 30, but they aren't as vocal on the 'net.

When "All Nite (Don't Stop)" comes on in the clubs, OH MY GOODNESS -- it's like that music video comes to life -- all the kids on the dancefloor doing the choreography from the video (me included!)

JANFAN4L said:

I agree it's true. It's like a dancefloor magnet. Don't let them throw in the remix with Elephant Man. Janet just might have crossed over into don't-need-a-hit-album-to-have-a-successful-tour territory.

it probably hurt just as much as it help. it drew a lot of attention to her, but it also probably turned off just as many. probably came out a wash. certainly a janet jackson album is always expected to debut well, but i think once people had it and word of mouth spread that it was so damn awful, it dropped like a stone.

Don't know about the sales, all I know is I used to really dig Ms J and now I can't stomach looking at her.
Course her affiliation with that mofo ugly boyfriend of hers could be messing me up too.

CynicKill said:

I remember vividly when I was in NYC over the summer and "All Nite" came on in a club. As soon as it opened with "This is sick," over 200 people started screaming simultaneously and you could barely move on the dancefloor -- it was wet like a mop afterwards.

L.A. shows "All Nite" the most love, though. Most clubs I go to, the DJs here play the original version and the remix with Elephant man BACK-TO-BACK. I was playing the song loudly in my car, quite a few times, and people would just bust out dancing at the stoplight! Sh*t was crazzzyyy!!! Plus, L.A. is pretty much Janet's hometown, she's been here since the Jackson family moved from Gary, Ind. back in the '70s.

Radio be damned!