Reyna ♔ Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 By Black Sheep Magazine Janet Jackson has been beguiling audiences the world over for over 25 years. Starting her career by performing backing vocals on Michael's Off the Wall album, she's since held her own and proved to everyone that she's much more than just Michael Jackson's little sister. Her albums have been described as being sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis penned and produced much of her music. These guys, let's not forget, honed their talents under the genius guidance of one Jamie Starr (or Prince to call him by his better known Christian name) from their Starr produced band The Time. With such credentials and Jackson's raw talent, it's no surprise she's had a successful career for a quarter of a century. About to embark on the biggest tour of her professional life, Number Ones: Up Close and Personal, Janet took out a few minutes to chat about her music, her acting, her piercings and her brother, Michael; proving that she's still someone very much in control. Which of your albums is your favourite? I can't choose a favourite. I create my music based on what is going on in my life at the time. Each one brings back such beautiful and special memories for me. It would really be impossible to pick. During the Control period, you wore a key on an earring. What did the key fit? The keys were to the cages of all the animals that my brother Mike and I used to take care of. I put it on my earring so that I wouldn't lose it. Critics said that the Discipline album was a solid return to form and compared it to the greatness of Control. How would you compare the two and was it intentional to name the two in a similar dominatrixy theme? I have grown a lot since Control. That album was about me taking responsibility of my life and making decisions for myself. There are many forms of discipline... Discipline was so much more than a dominatrix theme. Both of them were. The titles were not "dominatrixy" to me. You are on the biggest tour of your career to support your second greatest hits album. What preparations do you put in? There is so much that goes into creating a tour. I started by creating the set list... deciding what I wanted to say to the audience. Then I started working with my creative director Gil on the choreography and with Robert Behar on the costumes... Choosing the dancers... rehearsing... It is a long but rewarding experience. What can the fans expect at the show? The shows are different from what I have done in the past. I would always perform in stadiums. I decided to do this tour up close and personal, so it is not about special effects. It is a love affair between my fans and me. It's a thank you to them for supporting me all these years. Your family is one of the most talented families on the planet. What drove and influenced them? I think that we have always been focused on our careers. We would be told as kids that we should not bring our problems on stage with us... The fans paid their money to see us, and we had to make sure to perform for them. This was what it was like growing up. It is all I have ever known. What did you think of your performance in For Colored Girls? I don't really like to watch my work on screen. I do what rings true to me, or moves me and I hope that the audience can relate to that. Everyone's performance was excellent and the delivery of the poetry seemed to ease in and didn't seem forced. Was it harrowing to film? Everyone did a great job. The cast is so talented and I was happy to be a part of For Colored Girls. My character, Jo, fought to get out of the neighbourhood... She lived her life apart. So that is what I did on the set. It was hard though. I could hear all the girls on the talking and having fun between takes. I really wanted to be a part of that but couldn't so that I could bring Jo to life. Filming for me was not harrowing; except for one scene when Crystal, played by Kimberly Elise and her husband, played by Michael Ealy have a fight that involves their children. That was very difficult. Michael oozed raw talent. He was a magnificent singer, dancer, performer and entertainer. You worked with him a few times. Was it intimidating working with him or was music so much part of your lives that it just kind of flowed with ease? Music has always been a part of our lives. I can remember doing our chores as kids... We would be cleaning the kitchen and while we were all working, we would be writing songs. I have never been intimidated by my brothers and sisters. Janet Jackson will be bringing her Number Ones: Up Close & Personal Tour to the Royal Albert Hall on June 30th, July 2nd and July 3rd. To book tickets visit: Ticketline – www.ticketline.co.uk / 0844 888 http://www.janetjackson.com/story/news/janet_jackson_up_close_and_personal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reyna ♔ Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 Like many, I adore Mike and Janet both. They are the greatest. With that said, wth is with the interviewer for asking the last question?? Intimidated? Why would she be? She is not in Michael's shadow. Once she found her identity decades ago, she's become her OWN legend. GO JANET! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock & Roll Hall of Game Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 the interviewer mention MJ waay too many times... and lied about Discipline: "Discipline album was a solid return to form" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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