Janet Jackson Talks 'janet.' 20th Anniversary & New Album: Exclusive

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By Andrew Hampp, N.Y. | May 18, 2013 11:05 AM EDT

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Janet Jackson attends the Giorgio Armani fashion show as part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2013/14 on February 25, 2014 in Milan, Italy.

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'I am working on a new project now. We are creating the concept and initial thoughts on the music. ' - Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson's "janet." celebrates its 20th anniversary today, May 18. Her groundbreaking fifth album has sold over 7 million copies and spawned six Hot 100 singles. The album was a sexual awakening for both Jackson and American culture. Hits like "That's The Way Love Goes" and "Any Time, Any Place" were some of the most sexually frank to reach the upper reaches of the charts at the time.

Janet Jackson, 'janet.': Classic Track-By-Track Review

Though she's kept a low profile since 2011, when she released her self-help memoir "True You" and toured behind her "Number Ones" greatest hits set, Janet Jackson spoke with Billboard for an exclusive Q&A where she revisits the making of "janet.," discusses its current influence and teases her next album ("I am working on a new project now.").

May 18 marks the 20th anniversary of "janet." How would you describe what that album captures about your life at that time?
I can’t believe it is already 20 years! I always write my music based on what is going on in my life at the time. I wanted to allow people in... I want my fans to really know me. The ‘janet’ album was sexual and I was beginning to really discover that side of me.

Although you worked primarily with Jimmy and Terry again on "janet.," you explore a lot of different genres on that album - from dance to soul to rock to opera on "This Time." Did you have to fight to keep some of the bolder songs on there - was anyone telling you this wasn't "pop" enough?
I’ve been exposed to all types of great music. I like to collaborate on my music. The creative process is fun and you get a lot of ideas from having discussions about it. Ultimately, the final decision is mine.

There are musical references and direct samples of janet. songs all over the place now, most notably on Kendrick Lamar's "Poetic Justice." Have you heard most of these re-interpretations (Moon Boots' "Sugar," which samples "If," How To Dress Well's cover of "Again," MNEK's "That's The Way Love Goes" etc?) And how does it feel to see your work have such impact on new artists?
I have listened to the music that is out there and I love Kendrick’s "Poetic Justice." There are artists, true performers that have come before me who have been a big inspiration to me. I hope I do the same for others.

Several of the songs on janet. and their accompanying videos were groundbreaking at the time for their overt sexuality. Why was it so important for you to express that part of yourself in your work, and how did you convince others around you at the time to let you take those risks?
Like I said before, I write about my experiences or things that touch me deeply. I was really beginning to get in tune with my sexual self. This is what I wanted to express so I did. The decision to move forward in an artistic way is mine. I didn’t need to convince anyone.

The videos and tour for "janet." featured some iconic choreography from Tina Landon, most notably on 'If.' Do you have a favorite dance or video from that period?
Tina Landon and Omar Lopez choreographed "If". I love "That’s The Way Love Goes," "You Want This" and especially "If." I don’t think people really realize what we were showing in that video that wasn’t available with technology then. The video featured futuristic technology, specifically high definition touch screens. I wanted the actors in the video to use these screens to communicate, and relate with each other in the clubs. Similar to what we all do with our smart phones and tablets today. As I look at our lives now, it seems that life is imitating art. I have seen different elements from all of these videos in lots of artists work and it’s a great feeling to know that you have inspired them in such a way.

Many artists cite you as a role model and a huge influence on their career and image. Which artists today do you admire?
I'm flattered that other artists consider me a role model. I’m really enjoying what Bruno Mars and Adele are doing, a lot of artistry there.

It's been five years since your last album, and nearly four since your last single. Have you been working on new music, and when can we expect it if so?
I am working on a new project now. We are creating the concept and initial thoughts on the music. I am excited about the direction we are taking. I don’t want to rush it... I don’t want to put a time constraint on the creative process.

Good for her, I didnt believe the retirement rumors but I hope that this effort is more artistic and creative than the previous ones. Cant wait to see what she has in store!

come on now, the new album has been in the beginning stages since like 2010. i hope it's not called False Hope.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

she is always so lifeless, her personality neutered in interivews. for such a powerhouse on-stage she and her publicist really always give the most generic answers possible. i would enjoy it if she one time said "no, franky im not given my due respect for all the influence i had on RiRi, Britney, Gaga, Pink, Beyonce the way Madonna is credited" and "no i think today's music scene has gone to shit" cuz you know she thinks both.

and for what it's worth i don't think the new album is real!

Here's the album in its entirety

NOTE: Couldn't find New Agenda w/Chuck D. nor The Body That Loves You

I think the most candid Janet has ever been in interviews was, coincidentally, during the janet. era. She told it like it was in every interview, be it print or televised. Here are a couple of janet. era interviews where she's saying it like she means it about LaToya and Madonna...

About the new album info, I believe it, and was never inclined to believe that she'd "retired" anyway. Just because she married and is taking time to venture off into other things (acting, writing books, producing documentaries) doesn't mean she's given up making music.

Here's that amazing "If" remix the interviewer from Billboard asked her if she's heard

^ Nice special! I loved her tour clothes for that tour, so creative!

my first concert was the janet tour

Jabar, I was going to say you missed "Whoops Now," but apparently EMI pulled all its videos from YouTube.

Janet Jackson Dishes On New Project & Love For Kendrick Lamar

And in other comeback news, Janet Jackson is working on a new project. Woot! Nope, she didn't let her brand new (secret) marriage and her music career.

She told Billboard on the anniversary of her janet album yesterday about her new project, the artists she's feeling, and how she feels about being two decades in with one of the most iconic albums (7x platinum) of all time.

May 18 marks the 20th anniversary of "janet." How would you describe what that album captures about your life at that time?
I can’t believe it is already 20 years! I always write my music based on what is going on in my life at the time. I wanted to allow people in... I want my fans to really know me. The ‘janet’ album was sexual and I was beginning to really discover that side of me.

There are musical references and direct samples of janet. songs all over the place now, most notably on Kendrick Lamar's "Poetic Justice." Have you heard most of these re-interpretations (Moon Boots' "Sugar," which samples "If," How To Dress Well's cover of "Again," MNEK's "That's The Way Love Goes" etc?) And how does it feel to see your work have such impact on new artists?
I have listened to the music that is out there and I love Kendrick’s "Poetic Justice." There are artists, true performers that have come before me who have been a big inspiration to me. I hope I do the same for others.

Several of the songs on janet. and their accompanying videos were groundbreaking at the time for their overt sexuality. Why was it so important for you to express that part of yourself in your work, and how did you convince others around you at the time to let you take those risks?
Like I said before, I write about my experiences or things that touch me deeply. I was really beginning to get in tune with my sexual self. This is what I wanted to express so I did. The decision to move forward in an artistic way is mine. I didn’t need to convince anyone.

The videos and tour for "janet." featured some iconic choreography from Tina Landon, most notably on 'If.' Do you have a favorite dance or video from that period?
Tina Landon and Omar Lopez choreographed "If". I love "That’s The Way Love Goes," "You Want This" and especially "If." I don’t think people really realize what we were showing in that video that wasn’t available with technology then. The video featured futuristic technology, specifically high definition touch screens. I wanted the actors in the video to use these screens to communicate, and relate with each other in the clubs. Similar to what we all do with our smart phones and tablets today. As I look at our lives now, it seems that life is imitating art. I have seen different elements from all of these videos in lots of artists work and it’s a great feeling to know that you have inspired them in such a way.

Many artists cite you as a role model and a huge influence on their career and image. Which artists today do you admire?
I'm flattered that other artists consider me a role model. I’m really enjoying what Bruno Mars and Adele are doing, a lot of artistry there.

And she says about releasing her first project since 2008's Discipline:

“I am working on a new project now. We are creating the concept and initial thoughts on the music. I am excited about the direction we are taking. I don’t want to rush it… I don’t want to put a time constraint on the creative process.”

We'll be (impatiently) waiting....Glad she is finally now acknowledging that so many female artist copy her video style....

I wonder what are those prescription drug bottles the beautiful icon is holding??

Photos: @KodakLens' Instagram/Fame

[Edited 5/20/13 7:32am]

Here's her MTV Rockumentary from the "janet." era.

She's so beautiful in the janet era!! Though I've always loved the janet. tour look the best all these years, I've realized that I like the Velvet Rope and All For You, and even Rhythm Nation tour hairdos better than the one in this performance. She was rocking the brown-blonde highlights, but it was too bright on the tour part of the era for my liking. Just my opinion.

Also it's hard to believe 1993 was 20 years ago though I didn't get into her until mid 1995 though I would hear her name sometimes through friends and saw the Poetic Justice commercials on pay per view. I wanted to sneak and watch the movie, but her swearing scared me when I tried to watch it for 5 seconds then, though once I came to know the context of it, it was funny as hell

[Edited 5/20/13 16:59pm]

When I saw "Poetic Justice" in the theater after seeing her film some scenes here in South Central La months earlier, right after & during the riots. I was very disturbed at the constant laughter during every scene she was in. Except the tearjerker one when she was crying in the mirror(Janet is an excellent crier). No one took her role in that movie seriously. I thought she did a good job.

[Edited 5/20/13 17:58pm]

You were in a playpen when Poetic Justice came out

must have a been a special baby

Does anyone else feel That's The Way Love Goes has aged like wine? Though I always liked the song, it sounds even better to me now and is in my top 5 from the album, though it really wasn't before.

Yes TTWLG's has aged very well. It could easily have been a hit today. Especially like the version Nsync did on Janet's MTV Icon. They should have released it as a single...

I wasn't crazy about N Sync's version, who the hell remembers it anyway other than stans?

I feel If is such a great spring/summer song, even till now.

Justin Timberlake should redo it for his remixed 20/20 xperience album later this year...

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Justin Timberlake should redo it for his remixed 20/20 xperience album later this year...

it should be called 'the apology edit'

alphastreet said:

I wasn't crazy about N Sync's version, who the hell remembers it anyway other than stans?

I feel If is such a great spring/summer song, even till now.

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"If" still bangs to this day. Especially that intro. Betweeen the guitars rips and the beat dropping....I'm in heaven.

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Oh and I still say "TTWLG" has one of the best use of JB's "Papa Don't Take No Mess," as a sample.

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The greatest strength of the".janet" album was its diversity. To me anyway

[Edited 5/21/13 14:00pm]

Did anyone see the documentary she produced? I've been wanting to see it, but I haven't heard much about it. I love Janets style during the "janet era" and she seemed more relaxed in interviews.

You mean the one about the Trannie's????

there is a great interview with jimmy jam about the anniversary of the janet. album. he also talks about them possibly working together again,and he and terry worked with janet on 4 new songs in 2009 before mj passed