It Was Twenty Years Ago Today...

Janet Jackson's "20 Years Old" Released September 26, 2006 on Virgin, Set to Recapture the Magic of Landmark 1986

Music Icon Janet Jackson Re-Teams With Legendary Hitmakers Jimmy "Jam" Harris and Terry Lewis and Album Executive Producer Jermaine "JD" Dupri

NEW YORK CITY, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 06/12/2006 -- Few albums in the history of American music have ever had the far-reaching and lasting artistic impact of superstar JANET JACKSON's 1986 "Control." From its empowered message and songcraft, to its genre-defining production, and the extraordinarily compelling emergence of the singer as a musically complete artist, "Control" was immediately greeted as the watershed album -- and Jackson the definitive artist -- in no less than three distinct musical categories -- pop, R&B and hip-hop.

With the hotly anticipated release of the new JANET JACKSON album "20 YEARS OLD" scheduled this September on Virgin Records, her new work promises to be no less influential, as Jackson teams with the most successful pop/R&B producer of the post-2000 period, Jermaine 'JD' Dupri, and longtime friends and hitmakers Jimmy "Jam" Harris and Terry Lewis, her original collaborators on "Control." The four now make up an unparalleled dream team of talent behind the microphone and the mixing board. Just as "Control" marked a personal rebirth and a smashing creative achievement twenty years ago, "20 YEARS OLD" celebrates, at once, two decades of continued growth, as well as the essential newness of creativity. The set's lead single, "Call on Me," featuring St. Louis hip-hop star Nelly, will arrive at radio on June 19th.

The six powerful and innovative hit songs and videos that came off "Control" -- "What Have You Done for Me Lately," "Nasty," "When I Think of You," "The Pleasure Principle," the title track, and "Let's Wait Awhile" -- were minutely examined by fans and young performers, and they launched a thousand admirers and imitators through the balance of the Eighties and the Nineties. Jackson's revolutionary video clips have continued to be acknowledged as the true classics of the music video era, whose dance style and cinematic production values set the bar higher than anyone had ever dared attempt. Still, for young female listeners, it was the imaginative and liberated lyric content that resonated most -- just the way that the producers and co-writers Jam & Lewis realized it would, as Jackson's witty, honest and intimate poems took shape as songs in their Minneapolis-based Flyte Tyme studio in late 1985. "Control" sold over 5 million copies in the U.S. alone in just three and a half years -- at which time Jackson and Jam & Lewis rocked the world again with the follow-up album, "Rhythm Nation 1814."

With the collective track record involved, there's no way to avoid high expectations for the upcoming album -- and no reason to. "20 YEARS OLD" is a sure thing to throw down the new standards, blow a new generation of minds, light a fire under every young artist, and rock the party. "Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are musical powerhouses," says Dupri. "Our individual success have been unparalleled and have kept music fans bouncing to our beats and singing our songs for years. The world has no idea what they are about to experience -- Janet has the best production trio possible -- and I guarantee, we will deliver!"

For Information Contact:
Patti Webster
W&W Public Relations, Inc.
732-469-5955
Email Contact

Tracy Zamot
Virgin Records, Inc.
212-786-8370
Email Contact

SOURCE: Virgin Records

Nice to see them give a wink to JANFAN4L.

amit1234 said:

JANFAN4L is one the most positive and coolest orger I ever met! She's also a madonna fan!

amit1234 said:

Still looking forward to the album
Still hoping (against hope) for a title change

RipHer2Shreds said:

You and me both. I fucking hate that album title but I'm hoping against hope that it's good, let alone great.

She's looking mighty sexy these days!!



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that press release SCREAMS desperation

...even though she is the bomb

that press release SCREAMS desperation...

...even though she is the bomb

geez, who are they trying to convince with that statement? badujunkie is right, it screams of desperation! first of all -- and i love me some janet damita jo jackson -- the whole bit about continued growth over two decades is some boolshit. i LOVED damita jo but it was just a better version of all for you and janet. the only records that show growth as an artist are control, 1814, and velvet rope. janet's been chilling for the past 6 years.

rather than remind the public why we love janet by releasing something that comemorates a 20 year old record, how about releasing some shit we've never even dreamed miss jackson would make. that would be growth...and something to get all creamy about.

Kids in high school were just being born when Rhythm Nation dropped, so it makes no sense if this album is going to be one big Janet nostalgia fest as the main selling point.

sallysassalot said:

It reads like a press release for Control - Remastered Edition.

CinisterCee said:

nah, they're totally trying to reach out to older, previous fans who've grown tired of janet's same old song and dance. the kids will buy it if its on mtv, bet, and radio. they buy anything somebody says is cool. this press release is a blatant attempt at saying, "hey...remember when YOU liked her!?!"

CinisterCee said:

It reads like a Michael Jackson press release.

sallysassalot said:

I know you're not the biggest fan of the "janet." album, but other than "Control", it brought about the biggest musical and image change of her career.

GangstaFam said:

I disagree with the musical aspect, although the image point is a good one.

badujunkie said:

Well, DUH, that's because it's a press release. This is hype, not desperation. We are 4 months away from the album - they aren't going to tell us the tracklisting and producers and single lineup. Virgin is actually doing some advance promo this time out, a welcome change.

So they're really sticking with 20 Years Old, huh?

sallysassalot said:

Umm, aren't all press releases for upcoming albums bullshit? Isn't always about growth or artists being able to really be themselves. My personal favorite is the whole this is the best record of their career line.

I'm pretty anxious to see the cover. Black and white? Color? Monochromatic? What type of font for the text? Placement? Head or full body shot?

JackieBlue said:

...Clothed or naked?

jayaredee said:

So true!

GangstaFam said:

and the last image change. this is the problem.

Im hoping there actually is some growth as they are touting.

Like maybe some acoustic numbers.

Not all Jam and Lewis drum bombast.

Little samples of other songs used this time for most of the hits.

Her own "sung" We Belong Together/Cant Be Without You.

Some down to earth production this time.

Either way, its copped in September.

Just please, as 'Control' is on their minds, NO SEGUES!!!

Marrk said:

"Wassup girl?"

"He stood me up again."

"Again?"

"Mm-hmm."

Marrk said:

Yeah..reduce segues!

and no forced fake laughs!

DiamondGirl said:

hh HA HA HA HA HA

CinisterCee said:

Whatever! Those are all the reasons I liked Damita Jo.

-skits
-interludes
-banter
-giggling
-samples
-nudity