1997–1999: The Velvet Rope
During the two year period prior to the release of her sixth studio album, The Velvet Rope, Jackson reportedly suffered from depression and anxiety. Michael Saunders of The Boston Globe considered the album to be an introspective look into Jackson's bout with depression, describing it as a "critical self-examination and an audio journal of a woman's road to self-discovery." According to Jackson, "[w]e've all driven by premieres or nightclubs and have seen the rope separating those who can enter and those who can't. Well, there's also a velvet rope we have inside us, keeping others from knowing our feelings. In The Velvet Rope, I'm trying to expose and explore those feelings ... During my life, I've been on both sides of the rope. At times, especially during my childhood, I felt left out and alone. At times I felt misunderstood." The Velvet Rope also introduced sadomasochism into Jackson's music. Eric Henderson of Slant wrote, "The Velvet Rope is a richly dark masterwork that il
More about Janet Jackson (From Wikipedia)
1966–1982: Early Life And Career
Janet Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, the youngest of nine children, to Katherine Esther (née Scruse) and Joseph Walter Jackson. The Jacksons were lower-middle class and devout read more...
1982–1985: Early Recordings
Although Jackson was initially apprehensive about starting a music career, she agreed to participate in recording sessions with her family. The first of these, a duet with her brother read more...
1986–1988: Control
Following the release of Dream Street, Jackson decided to separate her business affairs from her family. She later commented, "I remember trying to tell my father I no longer wanted read more...
1989–1992: Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
In September 1989, Jackson released her fourth album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814. Though executives at A&M wanted an album similar to Control, Jackson was unwilling to read more...
1993–1996: Janet. And Poetic Justice
In May 1993, Jackson's fifth studio album entitled janet. (pronounced "Janet, period."), was released by Virgin Records and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Jackson read more...
1997–1999: The Velvet Rope
During the two year period prior to the release of her sixth studio album, The Velvet Rope, Jackson reportedly suffered from depression and anxiety. Michael Saunders of The Boston read more...
2000–2003: Nutty Professor II: The Klumps And All For You
In July 2000, Jackson appeared in her second film, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, as Professor Denise Gaines, opposite Eddie Murphy. The film became Jackson's second to open at read more...
2004–2005: Super Bowl XXXVIII Controversy And Damita Jo
For the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show in February 2004, Jackson performed a medley of her singles "All for You" and "Rhythm Nation"; she then performed alongside Justin Timberlake. read more...
2006–2007: 20 Y.O. And Why Did I Get Married?
To promote her ninth studio album, 20 Y.O., Jackson appeared on the cover of Us Weekly in June 2006, which became the magazine's best-selling issue. Virgin Records released 20 Y.O. read more...
2008–present: Discipline
In July 2007, Jackson changed labels and signed a record contract with Island Records. Jackson's tenth studio album, Discipline, was released in February 2008, by the Island Def read more...