Jermaine Dupri Says New Janet LP's 'Gonna Be Straight 'Control'
12.15.2004 8:38 PM EST

Hitmaker signs on to executive produce Jackson's next album.
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/a...lines=true


Jermaine Dupri earned yet another #1 smash this year by producing "My Boo," and in 2005 he's hoping to at least equal that success by producing his boo.

The veteran hitmaker says he's signed on to executive produce Janet Jackson's next album.

"Damita Jo might not have done the usual numbers, but everybody can't be Eminem." — Jermaine Dupri

"I ain't trying to do nothing that don't win awards," Dupri said last week in Los Angeles about what he wants to bring to the project. "I see a void in music. Any time I make records, I try to fill the void with what's missing. I think everything [Janet] brought to the table in the beginning of her career and throughout her career is missing. The kids don't have nobody to follow, they're lost. The music industry is so wide open for a person that's creative like me, it's like a video game.

"You don't have no TLCs no more, no BBD [Bell Biv DeVoe]," he continued. "You just have music artists that's like, 'I can sing.' They don't have no kind of concepts to them. Nothing flavorful about that. You just have executives that put stylists with singers and that's it."

As EP on the new Janet album, JD is hoping to pair his wifey with other proven trackmasters — with Dr. Dre being at the top of his list.

"I'm reaching out to everybody to work on her record," he explained. "I'mma reach to the top of the top producers and we're gonna make a great album."

The recruiting done by Dupri on his BlackBerry or cell phone, he says, will probably be limited to just producers. He doesn't envision many guest appearances for the LP, which he says will "definitely" be out in 2005.

"We start that next year," he added. "For this record, it's gonna be all dance, though. It's gonna be straight 'Control,' 'Nasty,' hard-ass beats, memorable melodies. It's directed to her fans, people who miss dancing, people who miss seeing videos with dancing. These [younger artists] are sloppy, they don't take it as serious as she do. They don't rehearse for the hours she do. It's serious business for her and her family and her brothers. It's important for kids to see that and bring that back to life."

Dupri doesn't look at his involvement in the new Janet album as helping to bring her career back to life after Jackson's Damita Jo kind of came and went earlier this year, though. He insists it's not a comeback.

"I wouldn't say that," JD insisted. "She got nominated for two awards for Damita Jo (see "Kanye Scores 10 Grammy Nominations; Usher And Alicia Keys Land Eight"). And Damita Jo, it was a platinum record and still sold its first week. It might not have done the usual numbers, but everybody can't be Eminem."

— Shaheem Reid

When I read this news this morning, I couldn't believe my eyes. A possible Janet/Dre collabo (Oh, s**t!) I've always dug JD's songwriting and production and I know he won't front on something for his girl and that's real.

This is exciting news. I'm glad Janet is with a man like JD. Hopefully this album will be something memorable, fresh and fun. I'm counting on JD to come through. I never thought of a Janet/Dr. Dre collabo, I hope they make some cool moves on this record.

Big Ups to JD for looking out for the fans (and remembering dance the way it was). Everything he said in that article was spot on. These new kids don't know a thing about dancing and dance music. It's time to get serious.

If he's serious (he makes some really good points) and if it follows this statement:

"For this record, it's gonna be all dance, though. It's gonna be straight 'Control,' 'Nasty,' hard-ass beats, memorable melodies. It's directed to her fans, people who miss dancing, people who miss seeing videos with dancing.

then I am hopeful. However, JD does have a way of hyping things. Never heard him talk actually mention how he's going to go about things, though. Mostly it's just "this album is hot, off the hook."

i was enthused. now i'm not

JANFAN4L said:

Great; here's hoping we see a return to the Janet of Control/Rhythm Nation. Velvet Rope was somewhat of a return to the Janet of the earlier days, but other albums (yes, janet. included) had too much mush on them; I'm tired of endless ballads and mid-tempo sex jams. C'mon Janet, bring back the hard beats.

I do have one caveat, however; I do not want that "JD" sound all over the album. Janet's mid/late '80s albums are definitely "of their time" but they aren't as dated, say, as some of what's trendy at the moment. I want a classist, yet modern sound on this album.

VoicesCarry said:

I remember when "Damita Jo" came out 7 Aurelius was promising some "hard hitting dance music," but that never made it on the album (none of his work did).

JD's track record has been fabulous. The guy's stuff has a certain groove and feel to it. I would love to hear that on a Janet track. This album MUST be top notch. She and JD have no choice but to put their all into this after the lackluster sales and intense criticism of DJ.

The album isn't even fully recorded yet, so anything's possible at this point. I'm not going to shoot down the thought of JD executive producing this album until I hear some tunes from it. Thank g*d he ensured a 2005 release date. Tour. Videos. Man. I'm ready for whatever they're about to bring in '05.
[Edited 12/16/04 10:40am]

JANFAN4L said:

And nobody has the teeth that he do.

Axchi696 said:

As a Janet fan, I had a rollercoaster 2004. I'm hoping for the best for this record. It hasn't been recorded yet, JD is hyping it up to the press (which is expected -- what is he gonna say "uhhh, I hope dis doesn't succ, uhhh"?!) Of course, he's going to be positive and optimistic. I appreciate that. Posting this news on the Org I knew some people were going to start hating right out the gate, but I'm curious to see what JD brings to this next project. The thoughts of the possible collaborations has my mind wondering. I hope Jimmy & Terry do a little something still (considering their work on Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Girls -- bring back that Minneapolis funk on a track -- take us back!)

Can he please not say "So So Def" on every track, though?

VoicesCarry said:

Yeah, let's hope not. No calling cards. No "2005! Yeah, yeah, c'mon." But I wouldn't put it past him to throw in one "Janet, yeah, y'know So So Def" here or there. LOL

Looks like make or break time

YYYYYEEEEESSSSS!!!!! i LOVE Janet Jackson. I haven't bought a new c.d. this whole year. I'm so ready to get something new from my girl. I miss "Control" Janet.

*dizzy with excitement*

First I had creamed my boxies, then they sucked back in, now I am just like..umm..he better keep his promise. Usher's album only had one uptempo song "Caught Up". I hope he put some DANCE music on there too. Some thumpin ass "Throb" "Together Again" "The knowledge" "Pleasure Rrinciple" "R&B Junkie" "All Nite" type jams on there. And of course I would still love a hot sultry "24 Play" or "Funny How Time Flies" jam on there...but they dont have to try and be like em. I know now though that there will be no experimental on her record though..

ok this makes u want 2 know more but its all over evry janet board i wanna know y evry album is worried about whos producing who

Concrete news.....or Concrete Rose??? Hmmm. There's something subliminal in this board creation, like someone secretly wanted Janet's album to be on par with Ashanti's new one. Or am I just mad? Ashanti, ghetto songstress. Street princess. Better then Janet? Yay or nay?

CynicKill said:

That's just funny

CynicKill said:

I created that thread title, not MTV news. Trust me, I wasn't thinking of Ashanti and it was not a Freudian slip by any means.

Speaking of Ashanti, 50 Cent dissed her in a new track. He said:

"Is it me, or is Ashanti's new video Janet Jackson's old video?"

Ewww. I'm talking about Ashanti in a Janet thread!

JANFAN4L said:

Naughty!

CynicKill said:

last time i checked, Ashanti didn't hold the trademark on the word "concrete" but perhaps something's changed since then

Taken from the latest issue of MAD MAGAZINE. Funny!

JD is smart and talented producer, He will pull all the stops for Janet on this album and probably be some of his best work 'cause Janet got him "pussy whipped"! that's what girlfriend does best. She had Rene Elizondo doing some amazing work while he was with her! so JD "What have u done Janet lately? how about a comeback album baby?
I would love to hear Janet and Dre that would be really something! I think Dre just might say yes!

twink69 said:

I would!

'dre

good....


I always look at that Ciara video and think Janet shoulda been singing Goodies.....why, I don't know


I'm ready for Janet!!!

DreZone said:

...and I as producer! How's about that then!!?!?

Rhondab said:

I never thought of it but Janet definitely coulda sung "Goodies". Janet is dueting with someone at the moment but I don't know who.

CynicKill said:

That would be Chingy.

sextonseven said:

Yeah that's it. Thanks.

i hope he sticks to being "executive producer" and doesn't actually produce any of the tracks himself. because he really sucks. quite possibly the epitome of everything that's wrong with r&b production today.