7 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

Janet, for years, mistakenly thought people loved what she called her “baby-making songs” when that was not the type of music that drew people to her in the first place. It was cute with ‘Anytime, Anyplace’ but there can only be so many songs singing about your p.ussy on various albums…

Janet also went on a mini apology tour after the Super Bowl incident, which I think only ended up hurting her even more in the long-run. It purposely gave everyone else ownership of her personal narrative. When Madonna had her Sex book backlash, and even as she moved on from it, the one thing she refused to do was apologize for it (which she directly references on ‘Human Nature’). People who “published” her for it had to deal with it and couldn’t really use it against her as she wasn’t going to say “sorry” for it.

I forgot she apologized.  Janet shouldn't have because she was not at fault and did nothing wrong.  She should have just kept it moving like Madonna did.

She got bad advice from her team.

14 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

He performed a Country routine on Star Search as well….

 

One thing is that I do wish that Janet had changed her management to someone who would have been more culturally sensitive. Even in the midst of that blackballing period, she did cultivate some fans, particularly in the hip hop crowd.

Someone posted somewhere on social media, how Black media had provided more coverage and opportunity for her after the "mainstream" audience had abandoned her. This often happens to a lot of Black artists, especially as they get older. You have Dionne Warwick, who mainstream audiences have decided exists again, after it became cool to look at her tweets, but guess who had already declared her "Auntie" status and was already engaging her? Black Twitter. 

Jackson faded for mainstream audiences but for Black audiences, she never really went anywhere--she just took breaks.

 

 

14 hours ago, Soaplovers said:

Janet shouldn't have because she was not at fault and did nothing wrong.  She should have just kept it moving like Madonna did.

Joan Rivers said it best: never forgive, and never apologize.

12 hours ago, DramatistDreamer said:

Someone posted somewhere on social media, how Black media had provided more coverage and opportunity for her after the "mainstream" audience had abandoned her. This often happens to a lot of Black artists, especially as they get older. You have Dionne Warwick, who mainstream audiences have decided exists again, after it became cool to look at her tweets, but guess who had already declared her "Auntie" status and was already engaging her? Black Twitter.

Agree.  I mean, did wypipo even know who Patti Labelle was before some black queen made her sweet potato pies popular on social media?

14 hours ago, Soapsuds said:

 

God, that performance was so weak.  He literally got his ass handed to him by a child dressed as a sister wife.

Edited January 31, 20223 yr by Khan

I do not like JT and I do not wish him well.  I think he is headed into his flop era as he has lost credibility and relevancy to his audience. 

Janet, on the other hand, just needs a new producer and a hipper sound.  Look at what Kygo did with Whitney's Higher Love, he made it seem current and reminded young people of the beauty of her voice.  I predict Janet still has a few more hits yet to come, but she should refresh her act.

I wonder if she got any money from her marriage?  He was reportedly very wealthy and one tends to think that with that type of wealth she would not be engaging in Lifetime retrospectives with her brother.  So, I hazard to guess that the acrimonial end of that relationship (along with supporting her mother and siblings) has eaten through some of the large amounts of cash she had in reserve.

Edited January 31, 20223 yr by j swift

Janet's over 50 now, the days of being a hitmaker are over. Trying to compete with younger artists in the early 00's didn't work out well for her then and it won't now. She needs to focus on preserving her legacy, and releasing music that will compliment her existing catalog. Beyond the dance charts (let's not forget, the gay community has remained very loyal to her and the other aging divas as well), she's unlikely to ever score another top 40 hit. She's also never enjoyed the same level of international success her brother and Madonna have, so I don't think she can be an "overseas hitmaker" at this point, and she doesn't tour often either. 

Edited January 31, 20223 yr by BetterForgotten

Age-wise, Janet is in a tough position.  On the one hand, she's too...mature to compete with the up-and-comers on the pop music scene; but, on the other hand, she's still too young to join Dionne, Gladys and Patti on the "casino circuit."

Frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing her return to series television.  People still remember her from her "Good Times"/"Diff'rent Strokes"/"Fame" days.  I think she could do quite well playing the mom on some black sitcom.

15 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

Janet's over 50 now, the days of being a hitmaker are over. Trying to compete with younger artists in the early 00's didn't work out well for her then and it won't now. She needs to focus on preserving her legacy, and releasing music that will compliment her existing catalog. Beyond the dance charts (let's not forget, the gay community has remained very loyal to her and the other aging divas as well), she's unlikely to ever score another top 40 hit. She's also never enjoyed the same level of international success her brother and Madonna have, so I don't think she can be an "overseas hitmaker" at this point, and she doesn't tour often either. 

I wonder if she did a “What Have I Done to Deserve This?”-type collaboration with someone like Disclosure (or a hip-hop act like Megan Thee Stallion), she might pull off a rare modern-day hit. I feel like there’s a current drumbeat and visibility with younger audiences that she could take advantage of.

I’ve liked Justin’s music over the years, but I think he should probably stick to acting these days.

2 minutes ago, Khan said:

Age-wise, Janet is in a tough position.  On the one hand, she's too...mature to compete with the up-and-comers on the pop music scene; but, on the other hand, she's still too young to join Dionne, Gladys and Patti on the "casino circuit."

Frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing her return to series television.  People still remember her from her "Good Times"/"Diff'rent Strokes"/"Fame" days.  I think she could do quite well playing the mom on some black sitcom.

Janet's actually said she prefers acting to music in several interviews, and her entertainment ambitions were always be an actress first. It was Joe Jackson who forced her to focus more on music (hence those two awful albums she released before 'Control'). 

Whatever it is though, please Janet, no more Tyler Perry nonsense! 

1 minute ago, BetterForgotten said:

Whatever it is though, please Janet, no more Tyler Perry nonsense! 

Agree!  TP does no one any favors.

Ooo, imagine if Janet played the lead in the film of the musical version The Color Purple? 

Or, if she could originate a role in a Broadway musical, that could be great for her.

Edited January 31, 20223 yr by j swift

They'd have to work very hard to make her plain enough for Miss Celie, lol.

Love Janet, but don't think her vocal range lends itself to musicals or musical theater, lol. 

16 hours ago, Khan said:

JT has built his entire career appropriating our (African-American) culture -- in music, in dance, in fashion, in everything.  We ain't about to let up on him for anything.

!!!!

There is more to theater than musicals. Janet actually has dramatic ability since the days of Penny on Good Times.

I agree that it would be beneath her to try to compete with the kids as she would call them. There are other musical directions in which she can go. She seems content right now so I don't think she has to run out there to make bank, I doubt she's in a cash crunch or anything.