"All I’m askin’, is for a little respect when you come home!"
Aretha sang those words loud and proud over 40 years ago. As a woman, she demanded respect in a male dominated world. Making its way up to #1 on the Hot 100 in the spring of 1967, the song became more than just a hit. It became an anthem; an anthem for women around the world, crossing color lines, backgrounds, and generations.
Here in 2009, we have a black woman. She has crossed and broken barriers unbeknownst to African-American women in her line of work. She has opened the door for artists to fall down steps during performances, lip-synch on live programming, and show off their two left feet. She has accomplished a lot in her 36 years, but has always been an underdog despite her achievements. Yes ladies and gents, we are talking about Janet Jackson.
With the recent passing of our lord and savior, there have been a lot of changes. Retailers are finding trouble keeping “Jackson” products on shelves since June 25th. Album and single sales on iTunes have skyrocketed. Mike has broken and set sales records. As a level headed fanatic of both Michael and Janet, a few question hit me like Ciara hits a high note. Were people purchasing his material because they were fair-weather fans? Did his death cause people to remember how much they loved the Jackson family? Out of respect/support, did people go out and buy their work? Whatever the case, I’m sure Janet and the family is appreciative.
But nonetheless, with Michael now shooting pool with The Lord, I wonder about Janet. Will she finally get the amount of respect she deserves? Will people understand how underrated she is? In recent weeks, I’ve noticed how sympathetic the world has become towards Janet. The media no longer drags her name in the mud as they did prior to June 25th. I haven’t come across any jokes about her on fan boards. As of late, an overwhelming number of people have been citing Janet as one of their favorite artists. It is now acceptable to openly be a fan of Janet. Isn’t it sad how it takes a death for the public to change their opinions of Janet? Janet’s fan page has grown from a few thousand, to over 30,000, and growing by the day. Where was this support when it was needed years ago?
Anyway, more and more people are realizing the force we know as Janet Jackson, and learning how underrated she has been for years. Artists have attempted to emulate her videos, choreography, albums, and image. Yet she remains an underrated act. I sit and listen to Rhythm Nation, and wonder why Janet is not in the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. I play Velvet Rope and wonder why this album isn’t in the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2007, how was John Legend inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame when he hasn’t written a song that has changed the landscape of music like “Nasty” did? And how did Beyoncé win the American Music Award’s International Excellence Award? Did she really deserve that award before someone like a Madonna, Celine, Janet, or even Mariah? The women who were international icons before she even had a high school diploma? Janet, is another underrated vocalist. The consensus that she lacks vocal ability is false. She’s no Aretha but she has a great voice. The anger, rage, and pain of “What About,” the emptiness of “Come Back To Me,” the attitude and vulnerability in “Nasty,” and the legato style of singing in “Where Are You Now,” tells me that she possess a skill. Sometimes a voice is not all about being the most powerful, or hitting the dog whistle notes. Sometimes it is about the emotion evoked in a song, and that is what Janet delivers.
Her albums may not have sold in the 30 millions, but she has crafted four solid albums that have defined mainstream music. Control, upon its release was a testament to not only Janet, but to teens around the world. The album not only speaks to her, but is arguably applicable to the oppression people and cultures around the world. The oppression of blacks, Jews, Iraqis, etc at one point are pleading for respect and control of their destiny. Metaphorically, the chains must come loose, and one must be relinquished of what has oppressed them for years. With Rhythm Nation 1814 and Velvet Rope, Janet spoke universally, and internally. Janet pleaded for unity, the unimportance of racism, the necessity of having an education, and the importance of a relationship as sung in “Alright” and “Lonely.” Velvet Rope was a call for people around the world to manifest their pain. The struggles one suffered, someone else shared. How often do we hear in music a song such as “Free-Xone” where you are told it is okay to be who you are, regardless of what you are? A song such as “You” that urges people to confront their inner issues. She spoke not only esoterically, but also universally. The Janet album brought sexuality to mainstream pop. The album was a sheer display of artistry. In 1993, was it safe for a woman to pose topless on the cover of a highly-recognized magazine? No. Was it safe for a black woman to embrace the full-figured physique and put it on display for the world to see? No. Janet broke barriers. This album is the reason why girls can get up on stage half-naked and toot their behinds up and down the stage. It was Janet who opened that door.
With the albums and songs bestowed onto the world, Janet defined pop music. It is about incorporating themes into your music. It is about challenging what is right, and what is wrong. Pop music is R&B. It is rock. It is dance. It is about questioning what is acceptable. It is about blending genres. It is about having a voice. It is about making people listen. It is about making a change. It is about innovation. It is about breaking barriers. It is about being two steps ahead. That, my friend, is pop music. And Janet is pop music.
This woman had her breast exposed to 90 million viewers. At that point, everything she had done for artists, black artists, and black female artists was completely out the window. None of that mattered anymore. Janet could have pulled a Britney Spears and cried in interviews. She could have begged for sympathy. She could have ended her career. She could have even gotten strung out on drugs. But she didn’t. She stayed strong and did not let the situation faze her. Looking at this picture:
So am I bitter? No. I’m glad to see Janet opened up the door for these artists to do what they do now. Do I believe some artists deserve the awards and accolades they are receiving? No. Do I feel Janet is underrated? Yes. Do I believe Janet has yet to receive the respect she deserves? Yes. However, when the pregnancy rumors fall through, the media has to come up with something new. I’ve read comments saying the new album will be a Velvet Rope Part II. I’m not sure what Janet is cooking up, but I’m sure recent events will find a home on the album. Remember when Janet said she’d be worth the wait…With Michael’s passing, the world has shifted focus to the next Jackson the world knows, Jackie Janet. All eyes seem to be on her. It is kind of a shame that it takes Michael to pass for Janet to finally get the attention she has deserved for the past couple of years.
The songs she released 10, 15, and 20 years ago are still being played on radio today. Janet did not make just hit songs, she made classics. Artists from Ludacris, T-Pain, Plies, and Snoop are all sampling her songs. Arists like Kelly Clarkson, Destiny's Child, Mya are singing her songs. Artists like Ciara, Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Britney Spears, Usher, and many more are recreating her videos, doing her choreography, emulating her style, and using her formulas.
And you wonder, why doesn't she have more awards than she does. You wonder, why her catalogue doesn't sell like her contemporaries. You wonder, why isn't she bigger than she is. You wonder how people can treat her the way they do. And you wonder...