I happen to enjoy Damita Jo & this is the first album since Rhythm Nation where I enjoyed a Janet album on the VERY FIRST listen. It's my 3rd favorite Janet album behind "Rhythm Nation" & "Janet." Unlike many, I am not a big fan of the Velvet Rope album & it was a surprise to see that there are many fans that agree.

I used to be a huge Janet fan until AFY came out; Damita Jo definitely went a long way to rectify that situation. However, Janet still hasn't recaptured the brilliance of Control and RN1814; I miss the Janet that had more on her mind than mindless sex. I'm not crying out for 'Let's Wait Awhile', but I miss the classiness of 'Someday is Tonight' and 'The Pleasure Principle'. Janet used to be about more than cheap innuendos and boring foreplay.

I'm expecting a whole hell of a lot from Janet's less album; she needs to get back to serious dance/funk songs and message songs; she used to be the absolute best of those genres.

Axchi696 said:

"I'm yours if you want me" edit

Whoops now...

Edit; 4, 3, 2, 1

thesexofit said:

I don't think it was released in America (hell, it's not even on the "janet to Damita Jo" video collection) so I don't think that it made much difference.

Axchi696 said:

I agree. I think a weakness of "Damita Jo" (and to a lesser extent "All For You") are the fact that they are both so damn shallow. At least "All For You" was somewhat personal and talked about her relationship with her husband. There was really little substance to the lyrics in "Damita Jo"....it showed many sides of Janet...but they were all very shallow.

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goat2004 said:

I agree. I think a lot of her post Velvet Rope era songs lack strong melodies. Her voice seems to be buried in the music. Although I like "All Nite (Don't Stop)", my only complaint with the song is that you can barely here her voice. I could not see this song as a lead off single..more like a 2nd or 3rd single off of Damita Jo.

Damita Jo has been nominated for 3 grammys.

Best R&B album

Best R&B song: I Want You

Best Production: Jam & Lewis.

WTG, Janet.

When is the Grammy ceremony?

JANFAN4L said:

Wow, Damita Jo is up against Musicology!

Sorry JANFAN4L but "I Want You," is one of Janet's worst singles ever. This is coming from a big Janet fan but I tell it like it is.

goat2004 said:

I disagree, but you're entitled to your opinion.

"I Want You" is a great song. Love its classic sparkle provided by Kanye. This is coming from a big Janet fan that tells it like is, too.

-----DAMITA JO ERA FLASHBACK-----



Kanye gets nasty with Janet
KING MAGAZINE (June 2004)

News flash: She'll never top Michael Jackson's Neverland bazaarof giraffes, hyperbaric chambers, and roller coasters, but as beat master Kanye West found out, Janet Jackson gets thrills in other ways.

When KING got Janet on the horn with super producer Kanye West a week before boobgate, he was hyper-geeked to flirt as she soaked in bath water with floating fruits and flowers. The music man who produced two tracks on Damita Jo, some of Jay-Z's most popular songs, and hits for Ludacris, Alicia Keys and Twista, interrupted a recording session with rapper Common to chat with the ultimate dime. West, whose chart-topping debut disc The College Dropout, is as smart as it is smart-alecky, also pumped Janet for everything from relationship rules to her take oon spirituality.
So Mr. FCC, don't hate Janet'cause she 's beautiful and favors nipple piercing. She's actually the Jackson without the issues. She just knows how to titillate the masses.

KW: I read you're a size queen in an article. Girls really think size matters?

JJ: Yeah, I can be a size queen. People always talking about the motion of the ocean. But there's nothing wrong with size and motion. Girls like size.

KW: well i'm glad because you know the BAPESTAs [sneakers] don't quite come in my size. I wear a size 12 myself. Okay, back to the interview. Is this album a natural progression?

JJ:Yeah...Wait, I have to go back to your first question. Not necessarily all girls are really into size. More so than anything, it's about the connection. For me, connection is first and foremost. Some people don't tap that. But if it goes to that place, it's just a whole 'nother level of passion and intimacy.

KW: From what I could see, if a nigga ain't packing, they can't even raise their voice in their own house. Or else at any given time, the lady of the house will be like, 'Nigga, you got a small dick, just shut up.'

JJ: [Laughs] I know some one who really likes this guy so much, but the sex isn't right and she doesn't know what to do. I feel for her 'cause he's perfect in every way but that. Sex isn't everything, but it's just as important as everything else.

KW: If I'm out with a girl, I might just show it on the first date, just so she has it on her mind for the drive home.

JJ: Kanye, you do? You're a mess. Well, with what you're showing, I'm sure they're looking [laughs]. Wait, how old are you?

KW: I'm, I don't know about 13. Actually, I'm 26 years old.

JJ: it's that baby face.

KW: When critics talk about a Beyonce or J-Lo video, how do you feel about the comparisonsmade now with you and the new, quote, "diva sex symbols?"

JJ: I hate when they do that because beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It's not right to try to put numbers on people.

KW: If I was to say you're in the everlasting top three to five [dopest women] in every nigga's book, would that be a bad thing?

JJ: That is definitely putting a number on me, but if that's how you feel, that's how you feel. The media do top 100 lists, going from 100 down to number one. It's just not fair. [Women] all are beautiful in their own way, whether it's the outer or the inner.

KW: In a Macy Gray-type way?

JJ: Yeah, I don't know her, but she seems to have a beautiful spirit. It's all relative. Like they say, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.

KW: I hate numbers and ratings. In reviews of my album, the words would be so nice, but then the rating would be like a B or four out of five. You put so much work into it...

JJ: Yeah, that's not cool. It's not fair when you pour your heart and soul into your music and someone who listens to it makes you know it's a piece of shit. And the next person doesn't buy it. Use your own ear.

KW: Do you cover that on the album? Sometimes rappers cover their opinion of the press in their music.

JJ: I wanted this album to be about love. A lot of people want to escape, especially now. Esca[ism is important; what you choose as your escapism is important.

KW: And if you're lost in love, that definitely a good place to escape to.

JJ: Well, if I can ever help in baby-making...

KW: I haven't made any babies, but I've practiced a lot. So, you know being an album producer, I got to bring up Jermaine Dupri. How are you guys doing? Do you believe in soul mates?

JJ: I believe deeply in soul mates - in post lives and being reincarnated. The most important thing is the heart - how giving, how good a heart a person has.

KW: Don't the little things mean more than anything?

JJ: Oh, hell yeah. With some girls it's all about what they can get from somebody, get out of someone. The small things make me happy.

KW: I remember once my girl and I were sitting at the Cheesecake Factory and she was sneezing and had a headache. The food hadn't come out yet. I acted like I was going to the bathroom and actually ran to a store that was about four blocks away and bought some tylenol and advil, and I brought it back to the table.

JJ: And she melted, didn't she? I'm not hard to please. At least I don't think I am. You might have to ask Jermaine. He might have a whole different story. But I really don't want to talk about Jermaine, 'cause I've alwaystalked about my relationships in the past. This one is just special. I never thought anyone could make me as happy as Jermaine has.

KW: Ah, that's so dope. You make me want Valentine's day to come earlier. [THE END][/quote]

-----DAMITA JO ERA FLASHBACK-----



Janet at Damita Jo album signing at HMV in Harlem, New York (March 30, 2004)

-----DAMITA JO ERA FLASHBACK-----



Janet's Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech at the 2004 Soul Train Awards (Mar. 20, 2004)

Thank you. Thank you so much.

I’m very excited and grateful and I’m deeply honored to receive this award. I cherish it not only because it comes from my own people, but because it comes from the heart and soul of the music that shaped my life and my career. I’m amazed to say I’ve been in this business for thirty years and I’m a proud to say that I’ve endured. That endurance is my heritage--as a woman, and especially a black woman. I’m convinced that we black women possess a special indestructible strength that allows us to not only get down, but to get up, to get through, and to get over.

I truly thank God for that strength. And I thank you for your belief in me. [Many yell “I Love You” from the audience.] I love you too.
You’ve been there for me during the good times as well as the bad. And you’ve lifted me up with your love. Your love and support has always been a great source of comfort, especially during these last few weeks. So thank you so much for this precious honor. I take it to heart. I hold all of you close to my heart. And I intend to use this award as further motivation to represent my people, my beautiful people, with energy, dignity, and grace.
Thank you so much."

goat2004 said:

I disagree, I think it's one of Janet's BEST slow songs ever.

isthisdadawn said:

I Agree with you! I love Janet, and I think the whole CD was off the hook!