DiscoHeaven23 35,007 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 20 years ago today, back in a time when Seinfeld, ER and Friends were the most watched TV shows and President Bill Clinton was getting hearing aids (here), the legendary Janet Jackson released her most introspective album to date, The Velvet Rope. After releasing her greatest hits album Design of a Decade in 1995, Janet's contract with Virgin Records was fulfilled. A massive bidding war for Janet ensued, with Virgin winning and resigning her for a record breaking $80 million contract. While putting the album together Janet was experiencing emotional strain. She had a mental breakdown and developed eating and body dysmorphic disorders. A spiritual guru helped her feel better and that influence is very present in the album. The Velvet rope has sold over 3.65 million copies in the US and more than 10 million copies worldwide. The lead single from The Velvet Rope was "Got 'til It's Gone". This song is heavily influenced by hip-hop and many realized that this was a major departure from Janet's typical sound. Virgin did not commercially release the single, therefore it was ineligible to chart on the Hot 100 (old rules that don't exist anymore). Peaks Rhythmic Radio: #12 Urban Radio: #3 Dance/Club songs: #6 The next single released and first commercial one, was "Together Again". The song went Top 10 all over the world and went #1 in the US. This was the biggest hit on the album. The song is about loss and was written about Janet's friend who died of AIDS. Interestingly enough, the song was originally supposed to be a ballad. This was the 6th biggest song of 1998 in the US. Peaks Hot 100: #1 Pop Radio: #5 Adult Pop Radio: #29 Rhythmic Radio: #8 Urban Radio: #28 Dance/Club songs: #1 "I Get Lonely" became the next single off of the album. It's a soul R&B song that screams late-'90s. Janet also called upon Blackstreet to feature on a more dance-inspired remix. The song did great on rhythmic radio, but not as well on pop. Either way, it peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 and was the 43rd biggest song of 1998. Peaks Hot 100: #3 Pop radio: #29 Rhythmic radio: #5 Urban radio: #2 Dance/Club songs: #10 "Go Deep" was the next single of the album, and while it was released internationally and not commercially in the US (thereby not being allowed to chart on the hot 100), it got good radio play in the US, peaking at #12 on pop radio and #8 on rhythmic radio. Peaks Pop Radio: #12 Rhythmic Radio: #8 Urban Radio: #11 Dance/Club songs: #1 The final single was "Every Time". The song was not commercially successful, but Billboard called it one of her most memorable ballads. Peaks Rhythmic Radio: #25 Janet is celebrating the 20th anniversary on social media SHE LOOOKS GOOOOOOD Read this article from today about its impact on pop culture and politics: https://www.buzzfeed.com/bimadewunmi/how-janet-jackson-made-room-for-politics-in-pop-music?bftwnews&utm_term=.qhMrmYzeq#.mdO4eG7JP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed 7,716 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 basically Rated R's predecessor... she's given popstars such a template and a bunch of queens our age don't even know her influence.. go deep is my favorite pregame song Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANVEEROY 61,266 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Velvet Rope is a masterpiece.. My personal favorite and my ultimate box of inspirations! Stream Kylie-Janet Discographies! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoHeaven23 35,007 Posted October 7, 2017 Author Share Posted October 7, 2017 3 minutes ago, Jed said: basically Rated R's predecessor... she's given popstars such a template and a bunch of queens our age don't even know her influence.. go deep is my favorite pregame song She truly created a lane for R&B girls. From Brandy and Monica to Beyonce and Rihanna to Jhene Aiko and SZA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiggyZiggs 30,062 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 YAAAS literally listened to the entirety of the album a day ago on the metro , really helped me with my writer's block Thank You Queen for this MASTERPIECE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lost in limbo 6,035 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 One of her best albums Makes you wonder how the woman who put this off ended up doing smth like 20 Y.O this is the state of grace, this is the worthwhile fight Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GagasPussy 312 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 This album is her best album by far and one of the best I heave ever heard. It is very introspective and deep.Masterpiece. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
juju 18,907 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Probably still my favorite Janet album following Control. Happy anniversary Velvet Rope ❤ x ❤ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
River 117,583 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Together Again is a very personal song for me and I'm glad she recorded it as a dance song and not a ballad, this mixed feeling that gives to me, helping me to move forward.. So sploosh your juice all over me you Riverboy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DontDoubtDavid 1,191 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 So funny. Was listening to the title track a few hours ago. Iconic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wenli 826 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 32 minutes ago, HausOfAmericano said: One of her best albums Makes you wonder how the woman who put this off ended up doing smth like 20 Y.O Indeed. Fortunately, her last album "Unbreakable" was a return to form. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebe Buffay 12,525 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Janet at her best. One of my favorite albums. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gov Hooka 8,008 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Such an amazing album. Free, Rope Burn, Empty are the most underrated songs from it. And Go Deep and Together Again are epic songs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRoof 21,600 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 ha Magnum Opus without a doubt i get lonely is my jam also she deserves to do tha Super Bowl instead of justin but that's another story Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HANZ 4,380 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 god this album is a masterpiece, definitely one of the best female albums of all time and you can see its influence in a lot of female artists since then AN ALBUM and her looks that era were on point ps: btw anyone has a link to download the FULL album including interludes and all of that? I NEED IT My Favs = Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin, AKB48 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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