Hot Shots: Janet Jackson Causes Fanfare Down Under

Published: Friday 4th Nov 2011 by Sam

As jurors deliberate the fate of the man accused of killing her brother Michael, Janet Jackson returned to Australia this week to resume her sold-out ‘Number Ones’ tour.

Greeted by a horde of her ever-loyal fans, the superstar engaged with them before heading back her hotel ahead of her next show in the country.

The worldwide trek finally has its curtain call in February next year; which couldn’t come sooner if you ask us. This tour was necessary in that it allowed her to re-build relationships with promoters following the drama caused by the ill-fated ‘Rock Witchu’ trek. What’s more, it also enabled her to rebuild her international presence. However, it’s quite simply time to move on.

At 45, as phenomenal as she looks, she faces an uphill struggle. A struggle which ultimately becomes that much steeper with every year she delays a return to the studio. For, as much as we despise the industry age bias, it’s there – alive and kicking. One needn’t look further than mainstream radio, iTunes, and the Billboard Hot 100, for proof.

Then again, who’s to say Ms. Jackson even wants to be the chart-topping force her fans so wish her to be (again). After all, there’s more money in touring, and this jaunt has re-raised her stock as a high-grossing travelling act.

If that is indeed the case, I’m going to need Janet to stop teasing us with news of “new music”, so as for me to lay certain day-dreams of mine to rest.

You know, the ones where she re-teams Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Darkchild. The ones where she hires a new choreographer (or at least gets help with the current one). The ones where she looks at the success of Madonna‘s latter career and takes note. The one where she remembers she can actually sing, and returns to projecting her voice instead of whispering. The one where she signs with a major label who fully believe in and back her. And the one where she realises that the market-place is different today and it’s increasingly difficult to rest on the laurels of who you were. A boy can dream, ay….

Your thoughts?

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  1. @TEAMFOXYDONDIVA November 4, 2011

    Tranet!!!

  2. DUNKFAN November 4, 2011

    Janet has her fans that will further her career for another 15 more years, I highly doubt she cares to be on mainstream radio anymore. Janet does Janet and you either like it or you don’t.

  3. nicegirl November 4, 2011

    Janet doesn’t need any more successful singles. She has her fan-base who will keep going to her shows and buying albums.

  4. LAX November 4, 2011

    Legend!!!!!!!!!

  5. Jamel November 4, 2011

    Janet has NOTHING to prove….. Music is soooo dead at this point, No soul and no substance. Janet is a true talent and the ONLY OFFICIAL ICON! Her music is timeless and will live on. Im am excited about Her new movie she’s filming next month and waiting on her next album. Janet may not be at her prime but she has been in the game for 30 plus years, (I promise you these artist out now will NOT have lasting power)… Like a bottle of fine wine she just gets better with time. Follow mii @l3tm3liv3

  6. SHESDUMB November 4, 2011

    QUEEN JANET LOOK GREAT

    PS:LOCK THAT N**** CONRAD UP

  7. Royalkev November 4, 2011

    You know, this is a hard pill to swallow, but again Sam has made a few solid points. I think Janet should make certain adjustments that will really benefit her now. Everyone knows Gil needs to go – it’s time for a new swag. Gil’s style has always been too militant and nothing he’s created is memorable. He gives everything that Rhythm Nation feel and he makes Janet come across way too hard. Janet needs her s** appeal back. Janet is known for her iconic choreography. Her dancing style is slick, feminine and only somewhat athletic, but still graceful. She needs (her main girl) Tina again. Music wise, Janet should team up with her reliables (Jimmy, Jam & Darkchild as well as make her own contributions), but I’d suggest that she explore with the other half of her album. I think seeking out new talent is a good thing. I honestly feel that artist that have been successful on her level and that are in a certain age bracket won’t really have it easy. Madonna’s last album wasn’t very successful. Same with Mariah. Same with Jlo and Toni Braxton. These days they must be flawless to compete. Then you might want to measure success differently for more legendary acts that have dominated the charts already, instead of comparing them to new ones. Their first single could be absolutely perfect and it’s still no guarantee that it’ll get a fair shot with mainstream radio (Jlo really lucked up, but she had Idol). So, what they must do is be impressive in expanding their catalog and continue to gain a certain respect from their audience, which will allow them to tour strongly. So, while I do agree with the fact that some changes need to be made for Janet, at the same time each established act should always strike when they have absolutely everything in order(T’s crossed, I’s dotted) because they will be judged more harshly. Once the product is out it’s no turning back. Many have rushed material out and it has failed. Those acts that are on the charts now with crappy music can put out anything and it’ll sell, because it’s “their time” at this moment. It’s a different ball game and everyone must do what works best for them.

    http://www.thepagewithroyalkev.b*******.com

  8. pop royalty ( RUDE BOY) a rihannanavy member who respect beyonce November 4, 2011

    R E S P E C T

  9. DUNKFAN November 4, 2011

    and even though you don’t care for her choreographer, and at the age of 45 she still out dances any female artist out today.

  10. TWITTER.COM/ESSENCE_OF_SEAN November 4, 2011

    WHOA WHOA WHOA!

    I KNOW A “FOXY DOOKIE BROWN” STAN ISN’T TRYING WITH JANET! WHEN YA FAV HASN’T HAD AN ALBUM OUT SINCE 2001! DARKIE BROWN IS THE REAL HAS-BEEN! DIDN’T LIL KIM KILL HER CAREER ? YEA OK! B**** IS A NON MUTHAFUCKIN FACTOR!

    ANYWAYS! JANET SHOULD BE FINE! I LOVE HER PERIOD AND WILL BUY HER NEW MUSIC ANYWAYS. LOL

    OH AND SHE POSTPONE BRAZIL! SHE IS ABOUT TO FILM A NEW MOVIE.

  11. pat November 4, 2011

    she’s done it all…i’d luv to see her with a new choreographer, re-team with jam and lewis, etc….but her work is already iconic and will be copied for decades to come

  12. Da Biggest Boss November 4, 2011

    I would love see Janet hire Wade Robson as her choreographer. Wade is original and would take Janet to the next level dance wise (if that’s even possible)

  13. Sean November 4, 2011

    I love old-school Janet but believe she’s just lazy. Madonna gives 110% in her live performances/tours. I might not have been a fan of her last album but the Queen of Pop knows how to get attention and promote the hell out of an album. Janet hasn’t been hot in the music industry since All for You while Madonna has had 3 massive tours, the biggest WW hit of her entire career with Hung Up in 2006 (and Confessions which was her best album since 1998’s Ray of Light) and massive success. Despite Hard Candy not being her best album it still had decent songs like 4 Minutes, Beat Goes On and Miles Away. Janet should have learned after Damita Jo she needed to change direction, instead with got the lackluster 20 Y.O and Discipline. If Feedback couldn’t have brought her back to radio relevance and sparked public insterest in her again I worry there is little hope. Madonna and Mariah’s legend have only grown in recent years where I feel Janet and Whitney’s have declined.

  14. edgy_timeless November 4, 2011

    Janet is just that damn good.. I don’t think shes lazy at all.. like come on are u serious. she been there done that. The girls 2day is still playing catch up. For a 45 yr old she puts ppl who is hot 2day to shame. no names. just fact. This era she has done what she have fulfilled, which was to rebuild her fan base and her international presence. I really do think she wants to focus on movies. If she really wanted music, we would have been got an album.The women is smart.. she know exactly what she want. I don’t mind Janet paying more attention to acting then music now. She’s been saying it for years even in her prime that later on in her career she wants to focus on acting. You guys cant keep on comparing Janet to Madonna. Madonna knows what she want that’s why shes a big major tour act.

  15. TWITTER.COM/ESSENCE_OF_SEAN November 4, 2011

    CHILE

    FUNNY HOW MADONNA STANS TALKING ABOUT JANET’S LAST 3 ALBUMS! WHEN JANET WAS “BLACKLISTED” AND HAD “LABEL” TROUBLE! SO IT’S SO EASY FOR YALL TO SAY THE S*** THAT YALL SAY!

    MADONNA HAS WAYYY MORE TOURS THAN JANET!

    LET’S NOT! MADONNA TOURS MAY BE SUCCESSFUL! BY DOING YOGA AND S***! BUT HER ALBUMS DON’T GO PLATINUM IN THE U.S!

  16. Royalkev November 4, 2011

    I don’t think Janet is lazy. I think she’s continued to be productive and supplied us sufficiently with music in this last decade. I believe her singles would have been much bigger successes if the 2004 controversy wasn’t surrounding her. In terms of performance, her latest performances have continued to be way more iconic (American Idol, MTV awards – Tribute to MJ) than most of her peers. Everyone has made a spectacle over these appearances and she’s performed well on itunes and garnered Youtube views after them. Some legendary artist haven’t had one in over a decade.

    When it comes down to the tours, it’s all about marketing and a matter of who is backing you that contribute to how well it does. Same with music. You ever notice how some artist can go platinum and it’s a great era and when others do it, it’s a flop. Same with failures, some are ignored and some are magnified. Sometimes any hint of disapproval amongst the critics can be damaging and I think those are the odds that Janet must go against with every new venture. She has been busy in recent years (doing music, making movies, releasing a book). I credit her for still having the drive to do so much, despite certain factors presenting an obstacle.

    http://www.thepagewithroyalkev.b*******.com

  17. Zam Zhinga November 4, 2011

    Not sure who writes this stuff, but whoever is very clever. With every compliment, he or she sprinkles their thoughts with a little backhanded shade. Janet is an ICON that really doesn’t have to return to a studio again if she doesn’t want to and will still be a BIGGER FORCE thanmost of the flavor of the month POP tarts that are churned out and never seen again yearly. The writer is ingenious at throwing darts at artists they don;t like but then cleverly looking the other way when they are called on it. A little bit of objectivity goes a long way in journalism. But from the sutff I’ve read it’s apparent this writer has certain preference for some artists more than others.

  18. socialstudy1 November 4, 2011

    Janet is amazing and she will always have that fan base that will remain loyal, …forever. Janet doesn’t need to prove herself anymore, but I do agree that she needs to start releasing some new music. I ‘ve love her since she was Lil Penny on Good Times and will always love her, ….but come on, …..tease us will an unreleased track, (like Ruff for example). Or record and leak a new single and see how that does, …..just to test the waters. And it wouldnt hurt to bring in some new choregraphers. Gil is awesome, but like Janet did with Tina in past years, …..it time to move on.

  19. TheDimplePuppet November 4, 2011

    I’m waiting for meaniful, clever word play lyrics, & beautiful melodies again from Janet (Come Back To Me, Again, That’s The Way Love Goes, Together Again, Doesn’t Really Matter)  I think Janet finally ate some humble pie, she new her music wasn’t s*** anymore. She seems hungry again that’s why she’s on this tour building her brand again. I need to hear her voice, words, drive, and desire from her next album, YOU JANET JACKSON ARE responsible for carrying on the Jackson’s name & reminding people why the Jacksons are pop royalty. You need a new team or bring in new people. I would explore YouTube to see what type of new choreographers are out there to collaborate with Gil, since he isn’t going anywhre SIGH. Janet it’s time for you to be open with trying new things & with new people, keep the sound that made you famous but please Ms. Nasty step out that comfort zone & keep that body tone. Come backup us Ms. Nasty we will be waiting in 2012 🙂
    P.S. Your struggle over the last few years has classic music written all over it (Label Drama, RWY tour issue, JD breakup, MJ death & trail, new love, new tour) open your heart to us Janet let’s hear you sing about your —> “Glamourous Prison”

  20. YOOSONDALOOSE November 4, 2011

    Has she had some work done?
    Anyways she looks great still.

  21. Onyx November 4, 2011

    Janet no need to prove nothing but this doesn’t mean that she has to make an album and no worry about singles or sales. I think her albums are great no matter what people say but she has to be more focus in her Music, i don’t want you get me wrong but no 4 nothing MADONNA is The world’s number one female musician. her tours are the best, but she’s not the best dancer, she’s the Best selling female musician of all times, but she’s not the best singer, MADONNA understand the business like nobody else, that’s why she’s The Queen of Pop, Janet is brilliant but she has to make an album ala MADONNA, with the best promotion, the best producers, the right controversy believe me that’s help too and she will have guaranteed success.

  22. @TEAMFOXYDONDIVA November 4, 2011

    hey @ESSENCE_OF_SEAN Nicki Minaj ended any career that kim had left.. Kim doesnt even write her rhymes .. Stop following me in blogs you c*** sucking f***** .. go get b*** f***** by your daddy like he always does

  23. Lucas November 4, 2011

    LOL at this n**** above. losing control ’cause he ain’t got nothin left to say

  24. VFB November 4, 2011

    JANET DON’T NEED A COME BACK OR A HIT SINGLE….BECAUSE SHE’S A ICON IN HER OWN RIGHT! WHAT ARTIST YOU KNOW THAT HAVEN’T A HIT CD IN YEARS AND STILL SELL OUT ARENA’S ALL OVER THE WORLD WITHOUT ANY RADIO SPIN? YOU GUESS IT…..MS JACKSON IF YOU’RE NASTY…LOL LOL GO JANET!

  25. Dunk November 4, 2011

    This article is rubbish! janet has not done a world tour in years, she is a very clever and smart business women, based on old material she has managed to internationally re gain her fanbase which is an amazing achievement , her fans , promoters, labels have all rebuilt faith in her being an international brand again, Up Close and Personal has put Janet back in the headlines for her music and back on track, this is something that is remarkable after 3 albums which have not done very well.

    At 45 she could have easliy been branded a has been but she has worked really hard, a briliiant film career, a sell out international tour this all is gonna lead to a brilliant future, no shade should be thrown at her at all she is a pioneer who took her career back into her own hands and rebuilt her brand, this is why she is and will always be the Queen!

    last but not least lets not forget that World Tours normally last up to 2 years, janets only been touring since the beginning of this year, if there is still more room for her to entertain the wolrd and remind them why we love her she should do so!

  26. TWITTER.COM/ESSENCE_OF_SEAN November 4, 2011

    @ TEAMFOXYDONDIVA

    B**** EAT MY ASS AND GET BLESSED YOU RAINBOW F** BUM!

    BOTH KIM & NICKI SLAYING DOOKIE BROWN THAT’S FOR DAMN SURE!

    WE CAN GO TO ASCAP.COM AND FIND OUT LIL KIM WROTE HER S***! BUT WHEN WE LOOK UP FOXY! HER NAME IS NOT IN THE WRITING CREDITS! DON’T MAKE ME POST THE PROOF BUM!

  27. TWITTER.COM/ESSENCE_OF_SEAN November 4, 2011

    LOL@ FOXY STANS TRYING TO CLING TO THE NICKI STANS!

    LOL THEY DON’T LIKE YOU BUMS NOR DOES NICKI LIKE FOXY! LOL

  28. Pierre_Shaun November 6, 2011

    No she doesn’t NEED to do anything musically anymore or be on top of the charts for long periods of time like the past…..BUt as a stan i feel like she still needs to hit us wit a BANG. I jus want a serious emotional urban pop rnb album showing her full vocal ability.. with about 3 dance tracks, a few ballads, relaxing mid tempos. Damita Jo meets Velvet Rope. She shouldn Fire Gil but he needs the backseat (co choreograph). Keep her signature posture but someone new who studies her need to create NEW FRESH choregraphy. His c*** swag is kinda boring now. I realized this with “Make Me” video… The choreography is difficult but not Crazy Grounbreaking like “Rock With You”, “All Nite (Don’t Stop)”, “IF”, “Scream”, …s*** every video. & No more in space videos…Get real again. I’ll support either way since i’m in love with her and i’ve been a fan since 4ever. And she has NEVER made a bad Album.

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