Download of the Day 4/06: "Nothing" by Janet Jackson

It has been a rough nine months for pop icon Janet Jackson, but if there is one thing to know about the baby of the family, it's that she is a trooper. Just weeks after the death of Michael, she went back to work on the Tyler Perry film Why Did I Get Married Too? She also contributed a song to the soundtrack, "Nothing", which is her second release since her brother's passing.

Anyone who knows Janet's history knows she releases some pretty amazing movie songs. One of them, 1993's "Again" from Poetic Justice, scored her an Oscar nomination. There is also the joyful #1 single "Doesn't Really Matter" from The Nutty Professor 2. "Nothing" is far more restrained and subtle than those two smashes, but it still a strong placement in her catalog. Over a light beat and some spare strings, Janet sings about love and trust, the film's common theme. Janet sounds surprisingly strong here, since we've been hearing the whispersoft vocals for the past few albums. The light production definitely aides her voice, and it's results in a pleasant listening experience.

While we wait for the eventual Janet album, this song is a nice appetizer to whet our appetites.

Brandon says: 7/10 (Youtube it. If you like, download on iTunes)

Download of the Day UK (12/07): "Make Me" by Janet Jackson

This may surprise some, considering her global superstardom, but Janet Jackson has never had a #1 single in the United Kingdom. In fact, the closest she has come was with "The Best Things In Life Are Free" and "That's The Way Love Goes", both peaking at #2.

Although she's never reached the UK summit, she has scored 19 top 10 hits in her three decade career across the pond. To celebrate that success, she is releasing The Best, her greatest hits compilation (known as Number Ones in other territories). Tacked onto the album is "Make Me", the song she premiered after the VMAs in September.

As greatest hits singles are supposed to do, "Make Me" is a fantastic reminder of what made Janet a pop icon in her own right. She harkens back to her dance-pop roots, with some traces of the Minneapolis funk that helped define her in the 80s. Also seeing a welcome return is her fun, flirty lyrics, which are full of energy backed by the music. Lines like "don't stop til you get it up" are classic Janet; sexy without being too raunchy (plus, you've gotta love the little MJ tribute there).

"Make Me" is the Janet that we all love, the Janet who was one of pop's reigning queens before that incident. If this is any indication of her upcoming album, than I'm sure she will finally be able to push that behind her.

She's just gonna "make" us wait for it.



Rating: 8 out of 10

Janet, Lady Gaga Rock The X Factor!

Janet Jackson and Lady Gaga both performed on tonight's The X Factor results show, the last before the final next week.

Ms. Jackson performed a medley of "All For You" and her new single "Make Me" from her greatest hits album. Gaga performed "Bad Romance" dressed as a robotic devil in a bathroom.

Both performances were great (Janet's better than Gaga's), so expect both to occupy spots in next week's top 10 of the UK charts.

Check their performances out below:

Gaga:



Janet:

Janet's "Gift" To Her Fans: A New Song

 

Hours after delivering an amazing tribute to her brother at the VMAs, Janet Jackson presented a gift to her dedicated fans. The gift was a new song called "Make Me".

The gift is greatly appreciated.

"Make Me" is the perfect reminder of Janet's pop glory days (basically everything before 2004). It's a fun, dance song with an interesting Off The Wall twist. There are no overt sex references; it's really just feel-good pop at its fluffy finest. It doesn't bust any boundaries (the intro sounds a bit like Lady Gaga's "The Fame") but considering where Janet's pop career was this time last year, she doesn't need to.

You can listen to the song here:

http://www.janetjackson.com/gift?give=gift

Her album is due out next year.

VMA 2009: Janet's Tribute To Include "Scream"; Joe and Jermaine Attending

Perez Hilton has reported exclusively on details involving the Jackson family at the VMAs tonight.

According to his sources, both Jermaine (who just scrapped plans for a September MJ tribute concert in Austria) and Joe Jackson will be attending the show.

Janet will be the show's opener, performing a very special tribute to her brother. A picture taken from the set shows Michael on a video screen from his music video "Scream", which he recorded with Janet. Also on the bill is "Smooth Criminal" and other MJ classics.

Another rumor circulating is that Madonna will be presenting Janet's performance. It has been confirmed that she will attend.

This is gearing up to be the best VMAs in five years, especially if the MJ tribute is as good as they're saying.

The VMAs will air at 9pm EST.

Photo: perezhilton.com

Download of the Day (9/13): "Scream" by Michael and Janet Jackson

In 1995, two of pop music's titans, who just happened to be siblings, took time out of their busy schedules to record a little ditty for the brother's double-disc comeback album.

That little ditty? "Scream".

The brother-sister combo? Who else but Michael and Janet Jackson.

For the first time since "2300 Jackson Street" (don't feel bad if you don't know it; the song and album were a pitiful attempt to show family unity), two members of the hyper-talented Jackson dynasty took to the studio together. The most talented of the family, dance diva Janet and King of Pop Michael, teamed up to record "Scream" for Michael's part-greatest hits, part-studio album HIStory, his first record since the pop culture disaster that was his child molestation scandal. Like the other songs from that album, Michael uses "Scream" to strike out against the world that scorned him. Over an psuedo-industrial spacey, funk track, Michael and Janet snarl at their haters. "Stop pressuring me", the siblings angrily hiss over the infectious chorus. Always the dramatist, the song shifts to a gently melodic middle-8 with Janet before exploding in a fiery crash of Michael's scream and sharp electric guitar (making for a killer dance sequence, by the way).

It can be argued that "Scream" (and the entire HIStory album, for that matter) was the perfect display of entitled celebrity torment. Whether that's true or not, the pairing of Michael and Janet was a stroke of genius, resulting in an excellent piece of pop music.

The only regret about "Scream" is that there will never be another one.

MTV's MJ Tribute: Raining Gloves and Janet Jackson

On the day the world lost Michael Jackson, MTV suddenly remembered how they became the cultural touchstone they are today and paid immediate homage to the King of Pop. In an age where a music video channel spins reality shows nearly every minute, it was both refreshing and comforting to see MJ classics such as "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Black or White" on the air, in primetime, no less.

Three months later, MTV is showing their respect for Michael by dedicating a portion of the Video Music Awards, if not the whole show, to him. Despite the stagnant nature of recent VMA ceremonies, I knew that the definitive Michael Jackson tribute would come from them, especially after the disaster that was the BET Awards.

If the latest information and promo is to be believed, then they have proved me right.

MTV revealed this past week that Janet Jackson, Michael's little sister and pop icon in her own right, would helm the opening tribute. She's reportedly working with the best dancers in the industry, including MJ friend Wade Robson, to craft this performance.

On top of that, MTV released a surprisingly touching promo for the tribute, featuring raining silver gloves, Michael's most famous trademark.

If done right, and I am sure it will be, this could rank among one of the best ceremonies in VMA history.

The MTV Video Music Awards airs this Sunday, Spetember 13th, at 9pm EST.

Check out the promo below:

MTV Shows

"To Us, Michael Is Family": Grieving Janet Pays Tribute To Brother Michael at BET Awards

Janet Jackson, who I consider the Duchess of Pop, made a surprise appearance at last night's BET Awards to pay tribute to her brother Michael. The pop star, who was visibly shaken and grieving, thanked the world for their love and support and made this statement: "To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family". She revealed that she was elected by the family to speak on their behalves after realizing a full appearance would be "too painful".

The icon was escorted on the stage by Jamie Foxx, who later performed "I'll Be There" with Ne-Yo to close out the show. The BET Awards was retooled to pay tribute to the fallen King of Pop, who shockingly passed away last Thursday.





Here is Janet (and the tribute) below:

Download of the Day 5/23: Can't B Good by Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson claimed that Discipline would be a return to form, and with her 4th single, she finally be making good on that promise.

After the lukewarm receptions of her last three singles (although Feedback did break the Top 20), she is pulling out the 4th, the slow-burning "Can't B Good". The ballad is reminiscent of old-school Janet, when she hit #1 with "That's The Way Love Goes". Its a slow groove, something you can slow dance to, and its been awhile since she's released something like that. I don't why, because she excels in this format. Her voice, breathy and smooth, sounds excellent against the soft beat in the back.

She better promote the hell out of this song, because it could possibly save the sinking ship that is her record.

Rating: 7/10

Janet Brings Her "Rhythm" To Ellen!

Janet Jackson appeared on Ellen Degeneres' talk show today to promote her latest album Discipline and her upcoming "Rock With U" tour. The tour , which is her first in six years, is supposed to begin on September 10th in Vancouver and visit countries in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

She also performed "Rhythm Nation", which you can see below.

If you haven't yet, pick up Discipline so you can be prepared for the tour!