That’s not to say that she wasn’t living up to the demands of her contract that certainly wasn’t the case. Despite the fact that she signed an $80 million recording contract a year prior, she would miss studio sessions for days on end, break down into tears during takes, use evasion tactics to avoid reliving her traumas, among other details that make me want to cry along with her. Reflecting on the album’s beginning stages, she would go into excruciating detail on how difficult the album was to record. As much as I commend and admire Janet Jackson, there’s no denying her humanity. Of course, the work towards recording such an album requires fortitude and patience. But regardless of how much of a pioneer she was with lyrical content, all that ultimately matters is that each song plays into the thesis statement of the album in different ways. Meanwhile her cover of Rod Stewart’s “Tonight’s the Night” doubles (or triples) down on the 70s hit’s sexual lyrics by recontextualizing it into an ode to threesomes, long before Lonely Island had the chance to. “Empty” goes into detail about a chat room romance hindered by the limitations of a slow dial up Internet connection. As a matter of fact, I would even argue that she was ahead of her time with some songs. With such a large breadth of coverage of social issues, it’s unsurprising that the album stands the test of time over 20 years later. In its 22 tracks spanning over 70 minutes, The Velvet Rope covers such a long range of topics: codependency, sexual curiosity, BDSM, homosexuality, depression, domestic abuse, the AIDS epidemic, online dating, and self esteem.
The most consistent lesson I’ve taken away from it, however, is stated in the title track: “we have a special need to feel that we belong.” Twenty years after its initial release and I’m still taking away more lessons from its content. Relentlessly honest, experimental, ambitious, and powerful at every step, I make no apologies in calling this album my favorite Janet Jackson album of all time. On her sixth studio album The Velvet Rope, Janet’s hard work and determination towards self-improvement and rediscovery pays off in dividends. My response to adversity is always the same: Work harder.”
YOU HAVE TO BURN THE ROPE MUSIC CODE
Work is part of my genetic code work is in my blood. This was when my father worked in the steel plant. And this is a woman who, because of polio, walks with pain. “I always think of my mother, whom I adore, and the attitude she expressed: ‘Anything to make ends meet.’ When we lived in Gary, Indiana, when she already had given birth to nine children, she’d walk the winter streets to work at Sears. From surviving her controlling father to diving into an abusive marriage at 16 years old, it’s quite the miracle that we’re paying homage to such a healthy and strong person days after her 52 nd birthday, especially when others in her position aren’t so lucky: I mention this because taking a deep dive into Janet Jackson’s personal life can induce plenty of discomfort and rage. That expression doesn’t make my situation any easier to deal with I just grow stronger, which is its own reward. With the life I’ve had, I’ve grown to expect and adapt to any shift in myself to where I can freely admit this. Self esteem can make all of us feel either like we’re on top of the world or lower than the dirt we walk on. Sometimes, I wish I could take the admiration I have for Janet and turn it into confidence in myself. The Queen of Pop (eat your heart out Madonna) has been one of my major influences and dedicating a post about her simply won’t capture how much she means to me. Also, I probably listen to her at least five times a day. Watching her music videos is one of the reasons I got into dancing in the first place. I wrote my final undergraduate term paper comparing Rhythm Nation 1814 and janet. Simply put, I have way too much to say about Janet Jackson. Don’t let nobody tell you you ain’t strong enough
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