Over the course of Janet Jackson‘s illustrious career, her domination of the dancefloor has been undeniable.
Perhaps most impressive is the time span of her seismic club jams. Indeed, the 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s have all brought with them bops that have kept the masses moving.
This week’s From The Vault pays homage to one of Miss Jackson’s latter scorchers – ‘So Excited.’
Jackson’s longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis joined forces with her then-boo Jermaine Dupri and collectively the trio were on production duty for the 2006 release and indeed much of its housing album ’20 Y.O’ too.
The hard-hitting cut was built around a pulsating sample of Herbie Hancock’s 1983 hit “Rockit.” Khia – of ‘My Neck, My Back’ notability – was added for extra grit and a contemporary kick.
Preceded by Billboard R&B hit ‘Call On Me,’ ‘Excited’ had all the makings of being “the” definitive comeback banger needed after a challenging few years for the Pop royal.
Gratingly, its wings were clipped by the same lingering politics that affected Jackson’s previous project ‘Damita Jo’ and went on to debut and peak at #90 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Still, it ranks highly on many tallies of Jackson’s most fire-filled singles.
Its video served as a visual exclamation mark too.
Directed by the formidable Joseph Kahn, the clip fused action-packed choreography, eye-popping special effects, and the hybrid brand of sensual-assertive that Jackson has masterfully perfected. Put simply, it slayed.
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The pandemic may have put a pause on plans for Jackson’s new album ‘Black Diamond,’ but we hope that when it’s finally ready for its unwrapping that it brings the heat like this ever-blazing fireball that still has ‘So Excited’ years on.
