Ya know Janet was a little more than chunky during the Control Era,but I don't recall people even discussing it. That's when I really became a fan of Janet's and I don't remember people being as disrespectful about her weight as they are now. It's sort of this double edged sword coz she lost weight and became known for these killer abs, particularly during the All4You era. But the weird thing is that people were more appreciative of her "look" than they were of her music. I've just read a lot of criticisms about All4You not being her best work. When she was "overweight" by TODAY'S Hollywood standards, it appears that people respected her music more.

I don't think her weight is that big of deal really coz I KNOW she'll lose it. She will be forced to lose it because fans, critics, and media have this "expectation." Now EVERYONE--well at least mainstream artists--has to be thin and relatively good-looking. It's a shame that people are so concerned about whether or not Janet loses the weight when early-on in her career it apparently didn't matter as much. She made it WITHOUT having those six-pack abs.

No one cared when Janet didn't have killer abs, but then she really really flaunted them.

CinisterCee said:

She was too thin during AFY imho. She's a naturally curvy woman - no need to suppress it. The DJ look was more her style.

Anyhoo.....no more weight talk.....back on subject!
[Edited 1/1/06 15:04pm]

Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott have not let their thickness get in the way....

VoicesCarry said:

I absolutely agree. Now let's get back with the programme.

So who ARE the songwriters on this? All I know is "not JD!"

VoicesCarry said:

She was too thin during AFY imho. She's a naturally curvy woman - no need to suppress it. The DJ look was more her style.

[Edited 1/1/06 15:04pm]
[/quote]

hopefully this time around she will get out of the 90s and not rock the whole midriff shirt with super-baggy pants look that she was so into during DJ promotion.

She should dress more like Ciara.

I wish she'd stay a little on the heavier side and say 'fuck you' to skinny Hollywood establishment. But she'll have to play it safe this time around.

But I like my Janet a little thick...stop the colonics Janet!

CinisterCee said:

Sorry... one last sort of off-topic comment. I agree that I thought that Jan's DJ physique was PERFECT: not chunky, but not too thin. Really, I don't think that Janet is that far from that weight. It's just that the pics that we have seen have been quite unflattering, plus she is wearing baggy clothes and colors that sort of "accentuate" the fact that she has gained a few. But NOTHING can take away from Janet's beautiful face and spirit. As far as Ciara, OF COURSE as EVERYONE KNOWS, Ciara is quite a bit younger than Janet. I do agree though that Ciara looks very nice in that particular pic. But I don't want to see Janet "follow" Ciara.

Ya know, I'd like to see Janet in a sophisticated style. I'm not sure exactly what that would be--not frumpy, but something sort of like Sex in the City sophisticated. I'd just like to see Janet set the trend, but at the same time wear something that enhances her age, but not like she's is trying to be younger or something like that... not like she is trying to keep up with ANYONE. I'd like to see Janet in something classic and feminine, appropriate for her age, but at the same time a edgy... classy--- something that shows-off that body that I'm sure she'll have coz it's true she appeared to be PROUD of those abs, but at the same time sexy without trying too hard to be sexy.

Just for the record and more on-topic comment, I'm sooooo happy that Janet is coming back!! I MISS HER MUCH!!!! I really think that this is gonna be Janet's year. I really believe that people WANT Janet to succeed. She's likeable... always has been. Really as BEAUTIFUL as Janet has ALWAYS been, Janet is first and foremost an ARTIST. People forget that BECAUSE she is soooo beautiful whether thin or thick. But Janet will have something very special for us MUSICALLY AND ARTISTICALLY this year. I can hardly wait.

I meant that tongue-in-cheek, as Ciara so obviously follows Janet (wearing a fucking Control t-shirt).

Isel said:

Like the "I Want You" video, then?

CinisterCee said:

Don't know about songwriters, but here are producers:

Confirmed:

-Kwame
-Kanye
-JD
-Jam & Lewis

Rumored:

-Dr. Dre

CinisterCee said:

Aw, at least she is giving props to who she copies. Most of 'em fail to do even that these days. Usher thinks he's original; Ciara does not harbor delusions.

CinisterCee said:

Helloooo I missed that completely!!! Oooopsie. Too much partying last night!! lol lol lol

As far as the I Want You video, I can't recall exactly what she wore in that. Now see, I don't know if you're joking with me, so I don't know if I should agree. lol lol I'll say yeah from what I recall. Actually, I enjoyed her look from the DJ era, but I also agree with the short tee thingie is a bit passe (like from the Ryan Seacreast appearance.)

Of course, I'm a huge fan of Sex in the City, so I'm thinking along the lines of SJ Parker's character in that show... but some of her stuff was sort of quirky. Like I said, I'd like Janet to be sexy WITHOUT APPEARING to be trying to HARD TO BE sexy. I mean JAN IS sexy,period. So no matter what, she is going to be sexy. But to be honest, my most favorite look for Jan is like in the Love Will Never Do... video,ya know?? I love it when she is in this sort of casual chic and not "appearing" to try to hard. I can't explain it. Maybe just sort of simple and less trendy, but nonetheless powerful...

I think she has already moved into the "sophisticated" look, except for the "All Nite (Don't Stop)" which was her in baggy jeans.

VoicesCarry said:

Thanks. I can't wait until we can actually discuss the new music!

VoicesCarry said:

This one?


And, please...I hope Dre is just a rumor.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Yes! Same guy.. he's been producing alot recently.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Yes, I think Dr. Dre is a rumor started by fans who are into Dr. Dre Cause we've heard nothing otherwise.

Monday December 12 2005, 21:01
Kwame working with Janet
A few months back, some of you sent us a report from MTV about Kwame working in the studio with Janet. While we never received confirmation, a follow up article at vibe.com has come out with a bit more information.
Jeremy Potts writes: "Kwame talked about working with Janet Jackson on her upcoming album, noting that the album would be full of up-tempos and mid-tempos and would be “very energetic, very powerful. What we do is we just do a whole bunch of records… and let the best fall where they fall.”"

And yup, that's him.

So far she has managed to make this album with little to no interference from Virgin. I think having JD running Virgin Urban has made the label a little less meddling. It's a very reactionary label - fire Mariah, scuttle plans for Damita Jo, end the All For You era after only 3 singles. They make stupid decisions.
[Edited 1/1/06 16:16pm]

Thanks, you two. I wasn't aware that he was producing of late, but I love that album. That's encouraging news.

Cuz I'm smarter than a microchip
And my bra don't slip...

...Lay back girls, cuz I'm the girl genius


Okay, I needn't revisit that incident, but I couldn't resist.

VoicesCarry said:

btw, what were those 3 singles... "All For You" "Someone To Call My Lover" and....

I just know that "Come On Get Up" was aborted.

RipHer2Shreds said:

I love that record. Kwame produced most of it too but Hurby Luv Bug jerked him on the credits!!

CinisterCee said:

"Son Of A Gun". The thing is, the radio and video premiere dates were about 2 months apart for that single (I think the video did not premiere until late November). That project was badly marred after she'd had two Top 5 hits. The album was brimming with singles. You see, the payout to Mariah was in the fourth quarter of 2001. They had no money left. She cleared them the fuck out

As you can see, there were plans for more singles:



There are also edits of You Ain't Right and, supposedly, Trust A Try.
[Edited 1/1/06 16:23pm]

i would like to see Janet challenge herself.

be comfortable in whatever shape she wants to be in. let go of the weaves.
strip away the pounds of make up. throw on some jeans and a t-shirt and go.
make a more 'rock/pop' album; songs like "Black Cat", "Trust A Try", "What About", etc.. sure, throw in a couple club bangers a'la "Free Xone". no more sex kitten cooing, rediscovered sexuality, come hither boy lyrics and vocals. i think Janet can write some great songs when she's not busy trying to keep up with current 20 year olds and under acts.
maybe do a 2nd 'Design of A Decade' after this album.....only better.

That's right.. I forgot "Son Of A Gun". Would have loved to see "China Love" as a single. That's my favorite song of the A4Y era.

CinisterCee said:

I agree...

I liked her DJ look and also then also her current dabbling into a bit of "haute couture." She has never really done that before... well not that I've noticed with the dresses and skirts. Wayne Scott Lucas(????) is doing a good job for the most part... like my opinion really means anything. I just hope that Janet doesn't feel pressured to fit-in to some sort of standard coz she doesn't need to. Janet IS the STANDARD.

Anyway, I don't know much about producers or whatever, but I do know that she is missed. I really believe that the general public is "pulling for" Janet to make a comeback. Ya know, maybe those abs that she flaunted a while ago are a thing of the past. Maybe now Janet is gonna have a "different" look this time around... It's all good to me. I can't wait for her new cd.

CinisterCee said: