Janet Jackson has long established herself as one of music’s most enduring legends – thanks to her catalogue of classics and dominance of the dancefloor.
On said journey, she’s been joined by a host of dancers who she affectionately calls The Kids.
Comprised of talents such as Tina Landan, Travis Payne, Jenna Dewan, and Gil Duldalao, many of the group have gone on to become notable names in the own right.
Celebrating their legacy, Jackson invited the collective on-stage to perform with her at the Los Angeles stop of the State Of The World Tour last night at the Hollywood Bowl.
Fittingly, they delivered a dynamite showing of ‘Rhythm Nation.’
It’s that time again! That Grape Juice wants to see what you all are listening to. Which 5 tracks have you got on constant rotation at the moment?
Remember, it doesn’t have to be limited to Urban music; could be something new, Throwback, religious, even something you made yourself! Drop a comment in the comments section. Ours are below – in no particular order:
Fifth Harmony have built a fervent fanbase on all corners of the globe, notably in Brazil.
The Pop quad headlined the VillaMix Festival in the region this week and made sure to show up and show out.
Powering through hits such as ‘Boss’ and ‘Worth It,’ the ladies also lit up the stage with newer numbers such ‘He Like That,’ ‘Down,’ and ‘Angel’ – all of which are lifted from the group’s self-titled album.
This week, Janet Jackson‘s classic sixth studio album ‘The Velvet Rope’ turned 20 years old. Today, we take you back to 1997 as this week’s From The Vault pick is the LP’s first single ‘Got ‘Til It’s Gone.’
The first taste of Jackson in the 2 years since she wrapped her self-titled era, ‘Gone’ was a departure in style for the singer. Markedly darker, the track was produced by Jackson alongside Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis set the tone for an album that was recorded while the star was going through depression.
Despite critics around the world praising Jackson for collaborating with A Tribe Called Quest alumni Q-Tip and incorporating a sample of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ over a bass-heavy Hip-Hop beat, the single choice still seemed to confuse people who were probably used to a more colorful sound.
The tune wasn’t commercially released in the US, so wasn’t eligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Still it reached the 36th position of the Hot 100 Airplay and the 3rd spit of the Hot Hip-Hop/R&B Airplay tally.
Overseas, the track was welcomed with open arms, charting at #6 in the UK, #11 in France and #10 in Australia.
Mark Romanek was the main man behind the highly-acclaimed visual for the release.
Set in a time that references Apartheid, the melanin-filled video was a celebration of Black culture. It is considered a masterpiece by many and won a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video. [Note: The African theme was a very important one for the whole era.]
Like the song, the visual was something different for Janet. Indeed, she didn’t rely on high-octane choreography nor the glamorous shots she was known for at the time. Instead she is seen throughout the clip sporting a natural look. And even then the focus isn’t even on her much. Thus making the message she’s conveying – both with the song and video- even clearer.
‘The Velvet Rope’ is such an important part of music history and we’re glad it’s being celebrated two decades on. We feel it’s important the younger generation understands that it is one of the biggest inspirations behind some of their faves’ best work. From Beyonce, Rihanna, Solange and Kelly Rowland, to Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean among many many others, they all have studied this album that intertwined the music, the visuals and the staging like never before.
A round of applause for this disruptive, genre-defining, trailblazing work of art!
In 1987, Terrence Trent D’Arby burst onto the music scene armed with an androgynous style and romantic songs forged in Pop/Rock flames.
In 2017, years after his time atop Pop came to an end, he has given an interview which he hopes will offer insight into the jealousy, plotting and politics he believes cut his reign short.
Little Mix have their chart-topping sights set on a Fifth Harmony collaboration.
Loved and lauded by their fans and label for sales their material pulls in globally, Mix’s stage-storming members have invited the Harmony girls to join them in the studio.
The promo trail is officially heating up for Sam Smith and his new album, ‘The Thrill of it All.’
Seeing his sophomore era kicked off by the top 5 single, ‘Too Good At Goodbyes,’ the singer-songwriter is working hard to say ‘hello’ to another multiplatinum selling album – a charge that’s seen him not only announce a North American tour for the project, but also already lift its second single, ‘Pray.’
Taking both to last night’s ‘SNL,’ look inside to see the first U.S. televised performances of both tunes:
Alexandra Burke is amazing on the mic and is proving equally as arresting on the dance-floor.
The Brit-belter, who rose to fame as the winner of The X Factor after performing with Beyonce, is currently competing on the current series of the BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing.’
Much like the US’ ‘Dancing With The Stars,’ the series sees celebrities battle it out each week in a quest for the coveted ballroom trophy.
Oft commanding an audience of 10 million + each week, the show is renown for being a potent promotional platform and the real “win” tends to be for competitors careers.
With Alex readying new material, it’s smart timing. Especially as she’s slaying!
Watch her week 3 movie-themed performance of the American Smooth with partner Gorka Marquez. Their song is ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly.’
Welcome to Retro Rewind, the TGJ original feature designed to celebrate TV and Film’s glorious past.
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Janet Jackson‘s ‘Velvet Rope.’
Recognised for the impact it made on the star’s career and those of the artists who would follow in her footsteps years later, the album’s content gave Jackson many an opportunity to bare all on love, life and growth through conversations with some of her favourite platforms.
One of these, of course, was MTV.
Today, we make our way back to ’97 to revisit her time with MTV Ultrasound.
