Why Does Janet Jackson's Music Feel Neglected?

[TMC]

http://uproxx.com/smokingsection/201...eel-neglected/

Shadow Of Her Brother

The obvious answer’s also the most tangible one. Since The Jackson 5 days, Michael was always the family’s lead singer. When Janet was born, her older brother was already eating up public attention with his unmatched charisma and, by the time they were both adults, he was maybe the biggest star in all of show business.

No matter how many successful albums and tours she gained, baby faced Janet has forever lived in the shadow of Mr. Moonwalk. Since his passing, the eclipse is even greater.

With talent like hers, that has to be a difficult pill to swallow.

Family Business

In a biography by Jane Cornwell, a young Janet wanted to be a horse jockey or an entertainment lawyer upon growing up. Her child acting roles were intended to fund those passions. Random as that sounds, her ambition has to be admired, right? Wrong. The forward-thinking prodigy was eventually persuaded to do music by her father, Joe Jackson — the same person who scolded her when she called him ‘dad’ and only answered to his first name.

Is it possible Janet never really wanted to make music, but only did so, because she didn’t have a choice? All signs point to duh.

The Jacksons have never been known as the most stable family. Lacking a real childhood clearly affected Janet’s adult years, and in turn, her desire to promote her music down the line.

Introvert Persona

The shy Janet we all know is quite cute, but she isn’t the most forthcoming personality. As a result, the public never truly absorbed her character.

Whereas other singers relish in seeing their name in the headlines, the Rhythm Nation singer purposely hid her personal life. For instance, she has been married in secret three times now. Her 1991 marriage to songwriter Rene Elizondo Jr. went completely undercover until their separation eight years later. What other A-list celebrities do that? Only the type who don’t want attention.

Her public mask may be tied to her personal battles with image and weight, a negative stigma she felt since being told to hide her breasts for the role on Good Times. The incident brought much humiliation, and she didn’t divulge it with her family at the time.

It’s a damn shame Janet feels that way since every guy knows she’s always been a dime piece.

Acting Confuses Her Music

Despite holding the Queen Of Pop title, Janet Jackson started her career off as an actress. From her recurring childhood role in Good Times, leading alongside Tupac in Poetic Justice to serving in Tyler Perry’s film Why Did I Get Married?, Janet’s been in prominent acting roles during every decade of her career.

That doesn’t necessarily mean people think less of her music. Although it certainly means people could think of her as an actress just as much they think of her as a singer. While that’s quite an accomplishment in itself, how many of her singing contemporaries are in that boat? Almost none.

Miss Janet’s multifaceted approach could very well be watering down her cache as a singer, especially in the eyes of many of her fans who love the music, but never got into her movies or shows. I’m looking at you, middle-aged white folks.

Soured From Super Bowl

We live in a society where Bill Clinton, Robert Downey Jr. and Michael Vick have all been given second chances by the masses. Though, for some reason, Janet still hasn’t fully recovered from her ‘wardrobe malfunction’ at the 2004 Super Bowl.

While Justin Timberlake went on to win the world, Damita Jo went on to release an album that couldn’t get radio or video play. She was blacklisted by most major music outlets, due to backlash from sponsors who didn’t want to be associated with the titty flop seen ’round the world.

In 11 years since the incident, Janet released only two albums — 2006’s 20 Y.O. and 2008’s Discipline –– neither of which received much critical acclaim. At this point she’s pretty much gone into hiding on a personal and professional level, making a “rare appearance” here and there.

In a video message, Jackson said, “I promised you’d hear it from my lips and now you will. This year: new music; new world tour; a new movement. I’ve been listening. Let’s keep the conversation going.” Although “conversation” appears to be the project’s title, let’s hope her new work drives Janet’s name back into the discussion of who’s who in music.

[isiahthomas]

I wanna know how come she's only been with one black man and the last 2 men she's been with are foreigners LOL. Her ex-husband was Hispanic. The guy she's with now is a foreigner. I think he might be a arab or Hispanic. She changed her phone number when she gave it to rapper 2Pac after they finished Poetic Justice movie. I guess she changed her phone number because she thought he was a ignorant guy and she didn't wanna talk to him anymore LOL. I don't blame her because 2Pac did have some issues and that's what led to his early death. Who cares that Janet's last 2 albums didn't sell well. She's had a successful singing career and she's done a few tv shows and movies. She's aged well. I think she's 48 years old and I miss her brother Michael.

[cleverfun3000]