Janet's NM output has been pretty disappointing considering she has released 4 albums.

Before Discipline came out, I made my friend a mix of her best songs since VR:

1 was from AFY - Son of a Gun
2 were from 20 YO - Enjoy, With U
2 were B-sides - Who (AFY time period), Put Your Hands On (All Nite B-side)
7 were from Damita Jo - All Nite, R&B Junkie (for sure) and the rest more or less to fill up the CD: Sexhibition, Island Life, Like You Don't Love Me, Moist.

Even including American Life, Madonna has just had more interesting work to show the world these past 8 years. Seeing the S&S tour, I remembered that I see Madonna more of a performance artist than pop star sometimes. There have been a whole lot of different Madonnas. Janet has just been the same old Janet.

Arnotts said:

You're delusional if you think Michael can still have a huge comeback

Michael hasn't done anything as controversial as Madonna. If anything, he has succeeded in appearing as non-threatening and limp-dicked as possible. Take hip hop out of the equation and there you have what black artists have been taught to be: non-threatening and non-aggressive

LiquidGold said:

Why are folks bringing race into it? If you look at the Top 10 pop charts in America,it's pretty much domimnated by R&B and hip-hop.Janet's race is not a disadvantage at all.If she's having problems,it's not because she's black.



No,that's why she has stayed relevent all these years.She's been really good at re-inventing her sound and style and she's not afraid to try new sounds and beats.

ehuffnsd said:

It would be hard for me to enjoy a concert on election night.I'd be too busy worrying about the results,taking out my Blackberry to see the latest news,lol.

Michael is selling more albums on a weekly basis with his past albums than Madonna and Janet with their latest. Thriller 25 has been one of the world's Top seller of the YEAR. Currently, It's #1 on I Tunes.
You're delusional if you think Michael can't make a comeback. He could sell millions of the worst album ever.



You're kidding, right?
Michael has to be the most controversial artist that ever lived. This guy caused worldwide furor many times. Not once has Madonna generated greater controversial situations.

speeddemon said:

Madonna beats him hands down:

1984 Like A Virgin song & video
1985 Playboy magazine nude photos
1986 Papa Don't Preach - teen pregnancy song
1986 Open Your Heart video
1989 Divorce #1
1989 Like A Prayer / Pepsi Video scandal
1989 Express Yourself video
1990 Vogue video
1990 Topless photo in Vanity Fair
1990 Blond Ambition Tour
1990 Threatened with arrest in Toronto over Like A Virgin peformance
1990 Rome Italy statement to Vatican
1990 Justify My Love video
1991 Truth Or Dare
1991 Topless in Italian Vogue
1992 Sex book
1992 Erotica - album, single and video
1993 Body Of Evidence
1993 Girlie Show tour
1994 David Letterman appearence
1994 Take A Bow video - bullfighting
1995 Human Nature video
1998 Hindu markings on face at MTV Awards
2000 Music video
2001 What It Feels Like For A Girl video
2002 Die Another Day video
2003 American Life video withdrawn
2003 MTV Awards kiss with Britney & Christina
2006 Live To Tell performed on cross
2006 Sorry remix - political video
2006 Child adopted from Malawi
2008 A-Rod rumours
2008 Get Stupid - political video
2008 Divorce #2

and that's just from the top of my head, now she hasn't been accused of molesting kids, but who wants to be that controversal I say

Race is only an issue if you factor in the fact that Janet has stuck to the R&B format, where Madonna has incorporated many different styles into her music, making her more agile and 'hip' to a bigger worldwide audience than Jackson. Janet is, to a certain extent, only 'big' in the US, as her music is catering to that particular audience, where Madonna just goes dance or urban and keeps her finger on the pulse of her audience and what is up and coming, therefor appearing more contemporary.

Where Janet only toyed with controversy, she never went all the way, where Madonna just flung it into the world's face with her book Sex. And when the shit hit the fan for both of them, Janet whined on the tele, where Madonna recorded Human Behaviour; saying 'absolutely no regrets'.

Janet's singles do not even reach foreign radio and this has nothing to do with promo from her rec company (her explanation why her last record flopped) but with the fact that her music sounds the same as all the other female singers in the US and therefor not really interesting, when girls like Rhianna just saw the legs from underneath her chair.

Madonna's singles always seem to reach radio easily, just CUZ it's Madonna; she hardly needs the record co to do promo, as she knows what hot producers/songwriters she needs to work with, so her music has the edge that Janet's borefests lack totally.

Madonna is not only more succesful than Janet NOW, but always was and always will be. She's just a better entrepeneur, she has got smartness to re-invent (heh) herself time after time, so she does not get boring in the eyes of the fickle audience.

Plus, her songs are sooooo much better; she still has the power to write songs that will appear on the radio goldie oldie shows of the future, while Janet's present day muck is so forgetable, that if she keeps going like this, she will be known as LaToya's sister.

HamsterHuey said:

I know people dont like to hear it, but also the whole "im a victim" thing doesnt cut it and people dont like it, especially from people that have millions and millions of dollars. The mirror is what Janet needs to look in for blame, and then look around her immediate circle. She can blame everything on her race, the superbowl, her label, jd etc..but i never hear her say anything about herself and direction, and the problem that everything she has done on the last 3+ albums has been the same old thing. Madonna re-invents herself, mainly because she is a POP star, and you have too. Imagine if Madonna was still putting out a "sex book" like she did way back then, imagine she put a new one out every year, people would have tired of her shit back then. Madonna always has the outlook that she is leading, and she really doesnt give a fuck, and she has been able to maintain her worldwide appeal, i mean do you think she gives a fuck that she only sold 600,000 in the usa, she could care less, because she does bigger numbers overseas.

And like you said the music of Janets now is nothing that the likes of Rihanna and Ciara arent doing and they are doing it better, so Janet is looking "old" and is if she is chasing these kids at this point, this is how Mariah is starting to look too, but Janet has looked this way for awhile now, she looks like a follower.

SoulAlive said:

Dude, seriously? That's one of the most naive statements I've read on this board.

Janet had a great career up until the SuperBowl, so the answer to this should be obvious.

Madonna has always been able to convince the world she is cool by default, and this will not change until she wants it to. Madonna says "jump" and everyone says "how high?", and goes along with it. Would a butt nugget like Hard Candy have received such fawning praise if released by anyone else? You have to look at the product and separate it from the icon, but it's hard for people to do that and say the emperor has no clothes. Madonna has always known how to mould her public image and, more importantly, is unconditionally dedicated to her business operations.

Janet, on the other hand, is now only cool to laugh at. This is her own fault for many reasons, and the fall from grace was certainly swift. There has been, I think, an inordinate amount of malice directed her way since 2004. It's not a matter of merely disliking her music, it's a matter of finding pleasure in her misfortune,
[Edited 10/31/08 6:28am]

VoicesCarry said:

So,you're saying that Janet's recent lack of success is because she is black? Makes no sense.

Madonna has always been on a much larger scale than Janet, hasn't she?
Apart from the Janet. era I would think.

SoulAlive said:

If Britney had pulled the SuperBowl stunt, we wouldn't be having this conversation today. You live in AMERICA.

LiquidGold said:

I disagree. It's not about their race. Madonna was HATED during her Erotica era... even before then people hated her for using religion and all of those other things. She was on the front page of newspapers being called a tramp, the difference is Madonna stuck to her guns and knew how to handle it.



This is what Rupaul said:

as my admiration for her as a musician grew, i had simultaneously become disenchanted with her public persona and her wimpy handling of "nipplegate". i was disappointed that she hadn't taken the opportunity to publicly let the FCC have it when it came to our culture's double standard over sexuality and violence. whether she planned to expose her breast on the live Super Bowl broadcast or not, the critical beating she took in it's wake was very telling and uncalled for.

when Madonna was extremely criticized for "crossing the line" in her photo book "Sex", she went on the live news program "Nightline" to eloquently set the record straight. in doing so, she educated a whole generation about feminism, gender double standards, and the "free pass" our society has given to violent images. in my opinion, it was her most shining moment.



Janet may have missed the opportunity to become a feminist role model, but she sure let the children have it at the Staples Center September 17th. hit after hit, she was in fine form! that show had to have been over 90 minutes. it was really, truly amazing. i'm still reeling from it over a month later. it was the kind of concert where you stand and dance the whole time. Bruce had awesome floor seats, 7 rows from the stage. when Bruce, John, Tom & i floated out of there, we all felt as if we were officially part of The Rhythm Nation.

NDRU said:

I also think that Madonna is simply more inspired/energized about her career.She truly seems to enjoy performing and making music.She's currently on her *fourth* world tour of this decade.I just don't think that Janet enjoys it that much anymore.For her,it's just "work".

One thing I definitely *don't* get: There are tons of big artists who have made the same album a billion times and aren't criticized much for it. Britney, for example, has exhibited basically no artistic progression whatsoever over the past 10 years, has made a laughingstock of herself on a national scale, and STILL is considered hip and trendy. What gives?
[Edited 10/31/08 6:39am]

VoicesCarry said:

i think we all know that what's hip and trendy today usually means "no talent."

i think we all need to just admit that her last two efforts sucked, but i'm one of those who believes janet has nothing to prove anymore. her success speaks for itself. i would say though, as an artists, i hope she's doing what she really wants and not trying to follow trends or anything like that.

LiquidGold said:

Hmm, I disagree. Remember the uproar over Black or White?

As for his inability to make a come back, please. He'll never be as big as he was in the '80's, sure, but he could certainly outdo Madonna and Janet right now. Look at the facts: Quite apart from the rest of the general mess surrounding him, the guy has been accused of child molestation twice, yet his 25 year old album still manages to be one of the top selling of the year. Think Madonna could pull that off?

wonder505 said:

I would agree that Janet has nothing to prove.Same with Madonna,Prince,Michael and other artists who've had long careers.These people have already reached the top,sold millions and millions of records,and left their mark.We always want our favorite artists to make a "comeback" but it's not necessary.Maybe fans need to lower their expectations and just enjoy/appreciate what their favorite artists are giving them.

I don't know. I think its just crazy how Janets fans disappeared off of the face of the earth. Where did they all go? Michael has the most loyal fans in the history of fandom, you would have thought Janet would have had too. I've read even MJ fans who just dispose Janet now. I think the music Janet releases could be much better, everywhere you go you read people are tired of the sex thing, and then we have fans saying 'Sex is what Janet is about so let her sing about what she wants to...' but when its not working, how long can you go doing the same thing over and over?


I think Janet handled the superbowl horrifically. Look at Madonnas interview with David Letterman. She projects a strong image, independent and sticking to her guns.



Madonna handled the media, she didn't let the media handel her... and thats the difference.






Janet on the other hand is giggling behind her hand, wearing a skimpy outfit as David Letterman rips into her left right and center.The audience was laughing along with him, its so painful to watch. Also when it was brought up again last year, she pretended her ear piece wasn't working and sat there silently.
People will continue to walk all over her, as long as she allows it. It was her FANS who made the news reporter apologize - not Janet, not Janet's people... the fans...

(Sorry the Janet interviews aren't on youtube)



But basically, I think people were expecting Janet to go along the MJ and Madonna route. When the media hates them bring out a song like "Human nature" (madonnas version) or "Scream"... expressing your feelings, but Janet just came out with another sex song, and let the media used her as a laughing stock. I think if she handled it differently people would have much more respect for her. A fanbase likes to have a strong independent person to look upto and Janet didn't really project that image during those crucial years.

I think Janet wants that success back otherwise she wouldn't have given up writing the songs and paid the hit makers of today to give her the hits shes been missing for the past 6 years. She needs to rebuild her fanbase and get the people who deserted her to come back or atleast be curious about her again.

SoulAlive said:

Exactly. People first need to stop quoting these fucking sales figures, that are just meaningless. If you are hanging on that for success to make yourself feel better about an album, you really need to just stop listening to music all togehter because you are a jaded person, and its not music you are into, its the bullshit limelight. With all those things thrown out, the last 3 albums havent been good, and Janet and a point was actually a good album artist. janet needs to get the hell out of the 90's, these 60 track cds and 33 interludes have got to go. How about 10 tracks a live band a live feel to the record, thrown the world a curve, even if it lays a fucking bomb i guarantee it will get the "critcs" buzzing, which when you are over 40 is what you need to do.
As for Britney comparisons, its meaningless, because i can guarantee that if Janet had half of the media up her ass the way Britney did we would all be crying THAT FUCKED UP MEDIA, but when we saw things like the media jumping on Britneys car we all said "well she brought it on herself" had that been Janet, peeps here would have been writing complaints to the media and sorry you all know that shit is true. Britney is a 27 year old, Janet is what 42, BIG DIFFERENCE folks, this is america, have we forgotten the way america thinks? its the AGE-NERATION.

lastdecember said:

That's a nice sentiment and all, but you really think the paps have just let Janet go about her business without interruption for the past 20 years because they're not up her ass? No, it's because they couldn't FIND her ass. It's been that way because, unlike Britney, Janet does not WANT the paps following her 24/7. They couldn't even find her after the SuperBowl, so that should tell you something.

These tabloid ditzes like Britneys, Lindsay Lohans, etc. thrive on the attention. There are plenty of people they don't target, and there's a reason - because they don't want to be found.
[Edited 10/31/08 7:18am]

VoicesCarry said:

Well if you can hide then do it. But people like Britney, who is in demand now and has been for a decade, has people in her camp that would sell anything they could get their hands on. We can say that people like Britney call up the press and tell her where she is going to, which may be partially true, but there are tons in her camp that do that because they are paid to do it by folks in TMZ and that poor excuse for life Perez Hilton. But chasing the success of Britney and Rihanna and even Beyonce is dumb, and thats what Janet and her camp are doing and telling her to do, she needs a clean break, and thats more than losing jam and lewis, she needs to lose alot more peeps, as does Mariah, they both just need to accept their age and move on, and that doesnt mean retire, it just means go to another level where you arent in this "following" mode. I mean its the same shit that Michael is doing, i mean tracks with "akon", how does that look. To me it looks like a fallen pop star that cant deal with not selling so he is doing whatever to sell. That is not being an artist.
[Edited 10/31/08 7:31am]

i really wonder where her career was between 1999 and 2004? it's not that he had big hits then. Madonna always was bigger ans he deserves it. She works harder

Annika said:

Madonna doesn't need to pull it off because she is still releasing new matieral. Plus no "controversy" michael has created, aside from the child stuff, has ever been as big as Madonna. Did anyone threaten to boycott pepsi because of Michael's black and white video?

ehuffnsd said:

I think you're misinterpreting my statement.

I noted the Black or White video in response to the statement that MJ has never done anything treatening or controversial by intent. Of course he's not as controversial as Madonna, since controversy is pretty much the foundation of her career.

And I didn't say she needed to, I just asked whether she could have. It was in response to the idea that MJ could never have a comeback. I was pointing out that despite everything that has happened, and despite the fact that he hasn't released anything new in forever, there is still a lot of interest in him.

Annika said:

he just needs to put out a quailty album.

It just comes down to the fact that people are bored of Janet. Why? She's boring.

For whatever reason, Madonna is more interesting. It doesn't mean her music is better or that she's prettier, she somehow just manages to capture people's interest better.

And so does Michael, for that matter. He doesn't even DO anything anymore and we all can't stop talking about him! Freak or not, he it still interesting.

Many of you made excellent points. Race (like it or not) is a factor. Janet ruled in the day that the Black Pop/RNB diva's ruled the charts like Anita Baker, En Vogue, pre crack Whitney etc. After the "neo soul" movement, everything went back to mainly White (exception of Beyonce and Rihanna who are the "chosen token Black performers of the moment") cookie cutter pop. As far as superbowl, that situation was not only racist but sexist on many levels. Racist, because I do not believe that if the situation was with Britney in place of Janet, that it would've hurt Britney the same. I don't care whose fault it was, it was two performers in the show and both should've been dealt with equally. Janet blacklisted off MTV, Justin heavily promoted. Music wise, 20YO sucked ass as does Madonna's Hard Candy. Damita Jo was just as good if not better than the majority of shit played today, but Janet was blacklisted. Discipline is a very good pop/dance cd that if recorded by Britney or Ciara would have been praised. Let's not forget Madonna in her ho days (which I miss). A Black female performer would have NEVER gotten away with the antics that Madonna pulled. Janet remains more private unless she has something to promote, Madonna is the original media whore that tarts like Paris, Lindsay, and Britney aspire to achieve. In the media, be it fashion, music, acting etc, Black's (with a small exception of few) usually do less than their White counterparts. Not since Michael Jackson or Prince have we seen Black artist not only compete with their White counterparts, but shatter records as well. One more thing that keeps Madonna in the public eye more that Janet- controversy. Madonna has used the media to her own advantage. As far as talent, they are both pretty much on an even playing field. What makee Madonna more popular than Janet (besides race) Madonna is the QUEEN or marketing herself.
[Edited 10/31/08 11:11am]
[Edited 10/31/08 11:45am]

People have issues and we love them for it. Whitney Houston will be welcomed back with open arms (and thanks for the great pictures & the Diane Sawyer interview! ) So will Britney (we LOVED it when you shaved your head and hit that car with the umbrella!!)

Janet never even acknowledges that anything happened. How dull. She needs to go to rehab for exhibitionism addiction or have an affair with David Duchovny. Nope, she just smiles and offers her cleavage.

After all these years--success in TV, Music, Film, one huge controversy--we don't really know anything about her. It's hard to hate her but it's also hard to be interested.