Hollywood Reporter:

Janet Jackson has signed with WMA for representation in all areas.

While Jackson is known as a recording artist, she is coming to the agency after a starring role in Tyler Perry's hit "Why Did I Get Married?" She also is prepping a worldwide tour to promote a new album due in February.

"Janet is one of the most iconic female entertainers of our time." WMA president Dave Wirtschafter said. Jackson will be repped by a team of agents led by Wirtschafter and Charles King that will run across multiple divisions of the agency including film, touring, licensing and merchandising, television, theater, publishing and new technology.

Jackson said she was attracted to the agency because of its long history. Jackson continues to be repped by managers Johnny Wright and Kenneth Crear as well as attorney Don Passman.

Buzz in Universal is that a new single will be sent to radio January 4th, with a video to follow shortly afterward and the new album will be released in late February.
[Edited 11/27/07 9:02am]

Sounds great in my ears!

I hope she left Jd off the new project.

Graycap23 said:

You and me both. Personally he could be alright but professionally he is POISON.

does this mean janet will be promoted everywhere like beyonce, justin and nelly were in 2006? Cause she deserves it and I hope she puts out a good album

Timmy84 said:

No comment.

Is Universal really going to try and market Mariah and Janet at the same time? they seem to be setting up for a failure of investment there, usually a label wont put two big "investment releases" together like this. Though from Mariahs last interview she didnt sound as if the album was ready at this point, and this time she said it was being released at the Top of 2008, which can mean anything from January to May.

Janet NEWS !!!

Blake McGrath says he's in rehearsals for new Janet video

Dancer Blake McGrath updated the status on his personal Facebook profile yesterday afternoon to say that he is "in rehearsal for the new Janet video!"

Other details about filming a new video are unknown at this point.

McGrath previously danced for Janet in her "So Excited" video and also at promotional performances for "Call On Me" and "So Excited.


WMA now representing Janet

Janet Jackson has signed with the William Morris Agency (WMA) for representation in all areas, the Hollywood Reporter is reporting.

She will be represented by a team of agents led by Dave Wirtschafter and Charles King that will run across multiple divisions of the agency including film, touring, licensing and merchandising, television, theater, publishing and new technology.

Janet will still be represented by managers Johnny Wright and Kenneth Crear as well as attorney Don Passman.

The same article also states that Janet "is prepping a worldwide tour to promote a new album due in February."

http://www.janet-xone.com/

lastdecember said:

I've seen a lot more evidence in favour of a Janet release than a Mariah release. I honestly don't think Mariah has an album to deliver anytime soon.

LA Reid is personally overseeing the Janet project.

JD won't be part of the project: Billboard

Graycap23 said:

Well he is... with people he THINKS he can work with (Luther, Janet, etc.).

Timmy84 said:

Ok I'll comment....I agree with u.
[Edited 11/27/07 8:56am]

WHO WERE THE PRODUCERS SHE WORKED WITH ON HER BEST ALBUMS?

OH YEAH. NEVERMIND SHHHHH.


SERIOUSLY JANET, GIVE THEM CALL A CALL. YOU KNOW WHO I MEAN.

From Billboard:

Janet Jackson's as-yet-untitled debut album for Island Def Jam will be released in February. The artist is also prepping a worldwide tour to promote the follow-up to 2006's "20 Y.O." In addition, Jackson has signed with the William Morris Agency for representation in all areas.

Jackson comes to the company after a starring role in Tyler Perry's hit "Why Did I Get Married?" She will be repped by a team of agents led by Dave Wirtschafter and Charles King that will run across multiple divisions of the agency, including film, touring, licensing and merchandising, television, theater, publishing and new technology.

Jackson said she was attracted to the agency because of its long history. She continues to be repped by managers Johnny Wright and Kenneth Crear as well as attorney Don Passman.

As for Jackson's new album, it is being executive produced by Def Jam CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid rather than Jackson's boyfriend, Island Urban president Jermaine Dupri.


Dupri is working on Mariah Carey's new album, which should be out next spring. "We're going to make it seem like we're in competition to see who's going to have the biggest album of the year," he told Billboard in July.
[Edited 11/27/07 9:02am]

A new album? Already? I find it hard to believe that she didn't have much to give after the 3 year break between All For You and DamitaJo or the 2.5 year break between DamitaJo and 20 Y.O. What on earth could she possibly offer now, after a year and a half. She needs to go away for awhile, regroup, prioritize, figure out something to sing about, etc. The less time between albums, the worse they get.

But here's hoping for the best

Aside said:

A new label and a fresh start without Jimmy & Terry. And LA Reid as executive producer.

Timmy84 said:

DRINKS FOR EVERYONE!

bboy87 said:

Aside said:

Uhhh, we're not talking about a singer-songwriter here like Joni Mitchell or Prince. It's not a question of what she can offer, but what her team can offer. If they've got any sense, they'll minimise Janet's input as much as possible. But just don't expect the credits to tell you that.

Im waiting for some good JJ music... some funky, rock pop dance music... so i know im excited.... and i hope she really puts her everything into this album... and even her videos.. and PLEASE stop talking about sex...

VoicesCarry said:

I've got mixed emotions about that as well. It could be the fresh start she needs. But then again, we've seen in the last 6 years or so that she's increasingly disinterested in her own work, and has very little to sing about except her vagina. I'm not sure those changes are going to ensure better material/effort. In fact, they might mean just the opposite.

competition eh? I wouldn't be surprised if janet and mariah released their albums on the same day, like kanye and 50

You guys seem to forget that janet took a very short time to record control, rhythm nation and janet., no more than 3-4 months from what I recall, and those are considered her best and most groundbreaking work by many.

midnightmover said:

First and foremost, what's going to redeem Janet in my eyes is feeling that she is actually engaged in her own career. And I've felt that less and less starting with All For You. From material selection, to interviews, to tours, etc. The team can't do that for her. She has to act like SHE cares, before I can do the same. And I really do want to.

alphastreet said:

I was just about to say that and she started working back in June but I have a feeling the album is going to be pushed back

alphastreet said:

Those albums may have been recorded quickly. But between them, she had a lot of time to live life, to experience things, and come up with things to sing about (whether she wrote the lyrics or not). You would think as she got older, she'd have even richer and more diverse subject matter, but it seems that that's just not the case. The only life she's lived, knowledge she's gained, and experience she's earned has all been through her vagina. If you listen to her last 2 albums.

VoicesCarry said:

Well Mariah has about 22 tracks and they are cutting it down to 10-12 at this point, someone did hear a new track snippet at one of her perfume launches recently. Its all up to the labels financials at that point, if it comes out before the end of February than all the marketing done early on gets lumped into 2007's fiscal reports, if they wait till March or April than it can be a fresh start for 2008. Def Jam/Universal may want to wait till 2008's fiscal year starts March 1st since sales were down 20-30% this year across the board. I dont doubt what Janet has at this point its more about what the label will undertake, these are two projects that have to be win-win for them, Janet is coming off a major slump in sales and its her lable debut and for Mariah this is then end of her contract at Def Jam as this is her 3rd release with them, so im sure they want this to do well and re-sign her.

Hey, hey, hey!! Hold on now!! I'm down for Janet making a great comeback and all but Late February is all about the BADU!! Erykah Badu, that is! Don't get it twisted!!

lastdecember said:

I've heard zero buzz on the Mariah project. I guess I got the unfinished vibe (as with Madonna) when it was pushed back. She's been working on it for a while now.

SexyBeautifulOne said:

You can get both albums tho.