I don't know...Sexhibition, Strawberry Bounce, R&B Junkie, I Want You, Like You Don't Love Me all sound better than ever. It's totally retro, 70sish funk and soul with an r&B influence. I think JD is totally off the mark when he keeps saying "Damita Jo" alienated her urban audience or didn't sound "black" enough. Whatever. 20 Y.O. sounds tighter, but almost too tight...something right down the middle would be PERFECTION...

That said, nothing on "Damita Jo" can touch "With U."

Hehehe.

Food for thought. You like something bad better when something badder comes around?

I dislike both efforts. I am not a huge Janet fan, but I sure do love some of her earlier albums.

Both albums are generic R&B fodder, in my opinion. Nothing to get excited about.

And please, if I hear the words 'wardrobe malfunction' one more time I am going to kick her ass. That boob-showing was rehearsed.

badujunkie said:

Maybe it's because "20 YO" is shit?

Honestly, I can sayIm disappointed in Janet. I am a JanFan and I ran 2 the music store last nite, begged to be let in to get the album and now Im up to "Call On Me" and the album isnt doing ANYTHING for me. I feel like it has too much of that JD influence and Janet isnt there at all. Im happy she happy but not if that means shes gonna make half albums.

badujunkie said:

JD actually said this? Wow. He's dumber than he looks.

Do you all think you might need more time to "process" 20 Y. O.?

See, right now I prefer D.J. over 20 Y. O. because D. J. appeals to my musical taste more: to me D.J. is more R&B-pop, with even a jazz vibe.

20 Y. O. is more of an Urban pop vibe, and as much as I appreciate urban, I'm really more of an R&B kind of gal. I like Blues, R&B, Rock, New Wave, Punk, jazz, classical, folk, Urban, and even some country--particularly cosmic cowboy(???) and swing. I've figured-out why I don't particularly like pure-Pop: it's because of pop-music's sort of generic nature. There is something about it that I don't like. It's like preferring a nice red wine--something that's distinctive--over a wine-cooler!

Anyway, I think what is going to happen with 20 Y. O. is that it's very much a transition cd. I think what J.D. has failed to realize is that Janet's fanbase is very much pop-oriented and R&B. Possibly with 20 Y.O. Janet might have alienated her pop audience and the cd is not Urban enough to gain her more Urban fans. This observation comes from me--someone who really doesn't follow music trends..it's just a gut reaction.

I'm going to give 20 Y.O. more of a shot. I don't really know how to respond to it. I don't hate it: it's more that I'm confused by it. I'm trying to grasp something recognizable to me--and in the end I might not be able to do that. However, I think for me personally, it's going to take more time to absorb.
[Edited 9/27/06 6:41am]

I actually bought Damita Jo for the first time yesterday as it was on sale when i was getting 20 Y.O.
I hate to say this but i think i'm enjoying DJ a lot more.

Whatever the genre... good music is good music and trash is trash but it's all up to the individual in the end. I keep hearing and reading about people trying to digest 20 Y.O. or find something they can get into, etc. It really shouldn't require that much effort.

I think DJ sounds like a gem now 'cause at least that album was light and fun.
[Edited 9/27/06 6:42am]

JackieBlue said:

Yeah, I understand what you're saying--as usual.. lol

But have ever bought a cd that you HATED at first--never listening to it again--then picked it up years later, and really liked it? Or maybe listened to a cd, and it only had a moderate impact, but the more you listened you started enjoying it? Well, that's happen to me before, so that's what I'm talking about. Maybe I'm just slow!! lol

I've had the same experiences with some books. On first read, I don't like it, then after a second read or reading the book years later, it's great!!

I do agree that this cd might be problematic for Janet and her team. But I still have err on the side that this is the cd Janet wanted to make. Just through her actions, I think she feels betrayed by MTV and that sort of pop-type culture for a variety of reasons. I think she is trying to appeal more to urban audiences because she might feel that through thick and thin, her community has stuck by her and her family. It's just observation. I have no basis really to back-up this opinion. It's just this feeling I get.

Then again, it might just be a marketing ploy!! lol
[Edited 9/27/06 6:48am]

Vibe Article - http://www.vibe.com/news/...damita_jo/

Opinion: The Ghetto-ization of Damita Jo

By: Nova Slim

September 26, 2006

This album takes me to a place where I haven't been in a while: R&B and dance. I give that credit to Jermaine. I like to say he brought the country to the album, while he says he brought the ghetto. – Janet Jackson to Billboard.

As much as we try not to, it’s difficult to hear the name Janet Jackson without thinking about the most expensive nipple in the history of television. So there’s a lot hanging on her forthcoming 20 Y.O., which promises to bring Miss Jackson back to her youthful, energetic R&B roots. But it might be the alleged blacklisting of Damita Jo from MTV and her current musical landscape that has sent her to a place she hasn’t been since she played little Penny Woods and John Singleton’s perpetually tortured heroine Justice. The ‘hood.

Although her first single “Call On Me” is produced by her boyfriend Jermaine Dupri (arguably the most successful producer over the last few years), Janet’s fanbase was crying foul earlier this summer over MTV’s lack of support for it’s first icon. During this time, Miss Jackson has been receiving nothing but love from the 106th & Park crowd, which is pretty amazing once you consider most of their audience probably wasn’t buying CDs until she dropped the least successful album of her career, Damita Jo.

The lack of fanfare from MTV is a headscratcher. Some fans say they are bitter over the “Nipplegate” fallout and single out race as a qualifier. Some say it’s because she’s a woman. But let’s assume for the sake of argument that it’s not racism or sexism. Perhaps it’s just a case of collective amnesia. It was, after all, Lil’ Kim’s bare, albeit whimsically decorated, breast that caused minor controversy at the 1999 VMAs. And let’s not forget that infamous spit-swap between Madonna, Britney and Christina Aguilera four years later.

But we’re not here to deconstruct MTV’s mystifying logic. This is about our girl and how this whole bizarre incident has caused Janet to “come back to the table”, so to speak.

Note the novelty of Khia on Janet’s latest single “So Excited” (which itself is a re-hash of Dupri’s own “Gotta Getcha”) and what Dupri revealed to Billboard’s Janine Coveney:

Dupri is concerned that part of her fan base, including the loyal gay following so important to Jackson, expects glossy dance hits on par with "All for You" or "Together Again" that Dupri wants to move beyond.

"They want her to do what she's done for so long," he says. "But urban uptempo records don't really work on urban radio. Urban uptempo records have a tendency to keep going to pop radio and [becoming] a pop record as opposed to keeping your urban base."

Apparently Damita Jo wasn’t “urban” enough. Who, exactly, is 20 Y.O. being marketed to? Is this CD to bring back the wayward fans that left Janet in the cold during the course of her last outing? Or is it for the fans that supported her no matter what, like they’ve been doing for the past 20-plus years?

Dupri has been vocal about the direction of this album and the reception of singles that bear his signature SoSoDef sound. Recently on the SoSoDef.com boards, he addressed how fans were pitting his work against the leaked “Enjoy”, which represents the classic, sunny, Jam & Lewis side of Janet we’ve come to appreciate. Dupri even questioned the fidelity of these Janet fans. The comment sparked a lively debate between hardcore Janet followers and SoSoDef loyalists.

The best thing Janet’s legions of fans can do right now is support her, more than they supported the Damita Jo album. Janet’s facing healthy competition right now and it’s going to take a lot more than a strong debut to keep her not only relevant, but huge in the way only Janet Jackson can be. Aside from the creative team of Janet, Jermaine, and Jam & Lewis, it’s the fans that will decide if 20 Y.O. is the “event” Janet album the public needs. And to you folks that have been bumpin’ “So Excited” in the ‘hood, make this your first Janet purchase of many.

This writer is not only purchasing 20 Y.O. in-store, but I’m also downloading it from itunes. And I may or may not illegally obtain FutureSex/LoveSounds. It’s a matter of principal.


-----


And there you have it. Janet is not in control, she is now being the puppet of JD and following his vision instead of her own. Is it any wonder so many people here aren't feeling the album?

It's quite disturbing actually being a fan of Janet's so long and then being isolated because JD only cares about marketing Janet to one niche.
Once upon a time Janet appealed to all walks of life. Pop, r&b, urban, dance, black, white, gay, straight..... And now JD says that Janet should only make records to appeal to the urban community. And he doesn't seem to care that he's cutting off a big chunk of Janet's fanbase.

What I want to know is what Janet has to say about this. Does she not care. Does she not remember why she had such great success in the past?

It's quite ridiculous.

Isel said:

I know what you mean but usually if I hate an album, it’s not getting any rotation but sometimes there’ll be a disc that I don’t give enough attention to and it goes over my head a bit because I’m not focusing or not ready for it. I don’t hate it. I just haven’t truly listened to it. Mama’s Gun by Erykah Badu is an example. I put it down for a year before I picked it up again and loved it. And there are albums that I like to ‘study’. Those that have lyrics, musicianship and textures that requires focus. Joni Mitchell's Night Ride Home reveals something to me each time I listen.

I could be wrong but I don’t think 20 Y.O. is going to reveal anything new to me 6 months from now.

Wow,I didn't realize that Jermaine Dupri is the one who really has CONTROL over Janet's music these days!

"urban uptempo records don't really work on urban radio"


So this explains why nearly every R&B song these days has the same,boring,midtempo beat?

jayaredee said:

looks like he has brainwashed her,lol.

SoulAlive said:

Ironic huh? Janet celebrating 20 years of being in control yet we all know who's the one working the strings.

SoulAlive said:

The sex must be really good

jayaredee said:

Indeed! I bet he's probably planning her tour too.

"No Janet,you can't wear that onstage...it's not "urban" enough!"

jayaredee said:

jayaredee said:

Yeah... I think though it's a reaction from the SB as far as MTV is concerned and the way some in her audience turned on her. BET gave her an outlet where no one else did. As much as I am a part of Janet's older fanbase, I really do understand why this Janet with J.D.'s influence made an concerted effort and a conscious choice to go in a more Urban direction.

What's interesting to me is the comment that J.D. made about her gay fanbase. Is the gay community really into to urban? See that's why I think 20 Y.O. has this techno-urban feel--to maybe appeal to her gay audience?

I have no idea except that my gay friends aren't so much into urban--well r&b yes. I don't know. From my observation, that's really going to be problematic to keep her gay audience interested as well as her more pop audience.

SoulAlive said:

He made a comment this year saying that Mariah shouldn't have to worry about Madonna as a competition because she's making "do da da" music.

It just shows how completely closed minded he is though.

jayaredee said:

I agree. That article is a little troubling. When was the last time we heard Jam or Lewis talk about this album? Why is JD getting involved with fans? Who is he to question fidelity when most of us were with her long before he got in her thong? I hate how he has become the liaison between Janet and the fans. Don't nobody want to hear from JD.

what a shame.

so the reason janet's released an album that isn't nearly as good as most of her stuff is because jermaine wants her to "blacken up?" i don't care where the folks at virgin file her record and i don't care what color her skin is, janet jackson is not an R&B artist. she's a pop artist. she makes the same music as britney, madonna, and christina. its bullshit that she is "supposed" to be R&B just because she's black. who the fuck cares?

i don't know which is worse: the fact that jermaine would suggest she move beyond the legions of loyals who've followed her OR the fact that she listened to him. i understand there's a big need for a huge comeback but why the change in direction? all for you was her biggest debuting record. ever. damita jo signaled a style change and, viola, sale plummeted. i guess its true, the difference between being stupid or wise is the ability to learn from your mistakes.

well, i hope janet has a massively successful record. i love her too much to see her finished. but if she doesn't at least we'll know why.

JackieBlue said:

I love Joni Mitchell. I have some of her older stuff... well I have a disc that someone made me of Joni Mitchell's best.

See... One of my favorite Janet songs of all time is "Got Till It's Gone." I love that video, too. Those were the good ol' days--when I didn't have to think so much.

Well I'm just so much a Janet fan, I just have to give her a shot. Artists change. And I really want to see her tour because I've seen her perform live.

It would be a real bummer if I couldn't "find" anything that I really loved off this new cd. And honestly do think it might be as a result of a combination of factors.. like I'm getting older, and I just don't relate to certain types of music anymore.



I mentioned J.D.'s involvement on this site--how in a way on Janet's sites,it's really difficult to express a heart-felt criticism.

I have mixed views. On one hand, it's sad that fans can't be honest, then on the other, if a person doesn't have anything positive to say, then he/she isn't a fan anymore. That's why here, I don't go into threads that are being postive about artists I'm not such a fan of. I'll go into a thread that might be a criticism or maybe to write something positive about an artist I like if the thread is negative. But I don't really believe in ruining the positive vibe of fans, ya know?
[Edited 9/27/06 7:28am]

jayaredee said:

What the hell is do da da music??? His success with Mimi and him getting Janet as a girlfriend has gone to his head. His production list is not that great. He's alright and if you like that kind of music he may be a little better than alright. People forget that Mariah brings stuff to the table too so it's not just all JD. Good grief. Is he going to be on Janet's albums from now on just because they sleep together? Can she find a guy who doesn't want to be involved in her career? But then what would she do?

JackieBlue said:

You don't think this is a precious gem?

Isel said:

I know what you mean about music that doesn't require you to think. But I've got plenty of artists and CDs that fill that need and do it well so I didn't need Janet or 20 Y.O. to be that. But I've been feeling shakey about Janet since TVR--the last album I bought from her so I may have less patience. Even at her last concert I didn't feel the excitement I've felt at past shows. It actually surprised me but what can I do? She may not be finished but for me that's three albums in a row and a couple of concerts. No matter what, I wish her well.
[Edited 9/27/06 7:34am]

TommyRoss said:

Ahh, how could I forget about the young phenoms that were Kriss Kross. Jump Jump still holds up at a basketball game altho I prefer House of Pain's Jump Around.

JackieBlue said:

Just to clarify, I meant "Got Till It's Gone" was such a good song and video concept, I just had this visceral reaction to it.. I loved it. I didn't have to think that maybe I didn't understand a certain genre of music, ya know?

That's how I sort of feel about 20 Y.O.--like I just don't understand the genre of music because I don't listen to urban all that much. It's just not my thing.

And I do think that I'm getting older, and it's just difficult for me to relate to music that all of the "kids" might like.

This cd might work very well for Janet. I'm with you, I hope this era is everything she wants it to be even though I might not be partcipating all that much. I don't even know if my husband will go to see Janet because he is really sort of a music snob!! lol I was going to drag him when DJ came out. Then I thought some of my friends might go with me. But I'm not so sure that many of my friends will go to see Janet perform tracks from this cd. To be honest, most of them have outgrown Janet. I've just been a hold-out.

It might be now, I've finally outgrown her, too. But I'm going to give it a shot...We'll see in a couple of weeks.

Don`t tell me "20 y.o" is worse than "Damita Jo"...

I`ve listened to "Damita Jo" twice after i bought it, and i don`t think i`ll listen to it again for a while...

This is not the first time JD has dated a woman he's worked with and horrified fans with the music they churned out...

http://www.youtube.com/wa...pEed2N-Lag