It had been announced previously that fans should hit up Janet Jackson’s official website today at 1pm (US) / 6pm (UK) for a surprise of some sort. It turns out the ‘surprise’ was two new tracks from Janet’s highly anticipated ‘Discipline’ album – ‘Rock With U’ & ‘LUV’.The first, ‘Rock With U’ is a futuristic techno-esque cut. Fans of the Kylie Minogue sound, will eat this up, as will the European market. Perhaps the most surprising thing about the song is the fact that it’s produced by Jermaine Dupri. Very alternate to the sound we’ve come to expect from the hit-maker. Not the best Janet track, but satisfying, all the same.

‘WOW’ is the what came to mind after listening to the Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins produced ‘LUV’. I’m actually still playing it as I type. The beat goes HARD. The vocal arrangements are on-point too, with Janet’s harmonies complimenting the gritty production. My gut told me Darkchild’s involvement with the project would yield great results – case example, this and ‘Feedback’.

If these are indicative of the rest of the album, Ms Jackson is onto a winner.

Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

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The official tracklisting for Janet Jackson’s much-hyped new album ‘Discipline’ has surfaced via Walmart and HMV Japan. With word being that the album has been completed, mixed and mastered, I would assume the tracklisting is concrete:

Your thoughts?

In her latest MySpace blog, Destiny’s Child star Michelle Williams updates fans on her project, offers words of inspiration and shouts-out That Grape Juice! Check it out:

Hey family!!!! I’m so happy we finally updated my myspace page!!! Whewwwww!!! Thanks to all my folks at Music World for hookin a sista’s page up!!! (thanks Courtney!)

I’m lovin my new page!! LOL

Just wanna say thanks again for the support and encouragement!! I’m taking all of the comments and suggestions to heart!!! Especially the ones about what I should do with my hair!!!

We’ve also put the snip of Stop This Car on here as well!!

Kids, Kids………don’t sleep!! I got some more for ya!!! I’m so ready to hit the scene again and perform my new material!! I gotta hold my horses y’all!!!

I just wanna say that God is sooooooooooo good!! Everything has been coming together!!! Never doubt…..always believe in YOURSELF!!! Yes……Michelle Williams “the quiet one”……..has the nerve and audacity to try something different!!!! I say that bcuz it took me a minute to accept change!! Fear had me for a minute but I had to let that go bcuz I don’t wanna be kickin myself in the behind 10 years from now singin the “coulda woulda shoulda” song!!!! You guys take this year and claim AWESOME things!!! Whatever you put in the air….it’ll come back to you!! So that being said….I’m expecting GREAT things for my life and for your life too in 2008!! I’m getting me a boyfriend too!!! (just thought I’d put that in the air LOL) I’m not needy trust me!! Never be in need for a man or a woman…..they should always be a benefit!!!!!!!!!

I gotta shout out concreteloop and UK based thatgrapejuice.net for posting pieces of my blogs on your pages.

I love you fam!!!!
God Bless

Though I still think there are more eligible single tracks on Mary’s ‘Growing Pains’ album, I’m starting to gravitate toward ‘Hurt Again’ more after seeing this performance. Good stuff.

What do you think of the interview / performance?

Danity Kane performed their new single ‘Damaged’ at Spotlight on Bad Boy RnB Night this Tuesday (January 28th). I’m really on the fence about this single and Danity Kane altoghether this time around. ‘Damaged’ IMO just isn’t (lead) single material, and with the heat they packed on that first album, I definitely expected better. Saying that, the girls definitely are working with something and their growth, in terms of stage presence, really shows in this performance. Time will tell if the album delivers the goods. (Tidbit: Is it me or is that Shannon actually singing at the start?!).

The girls recently stopped by Miss Jones’ Hot 97 radio show and had a lot to say about a certain Keyshia Cole. I won’t spoil it, but I’m sure this one is sure to raise a few eyebrows. Check it out:

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