20 Y.O.

Untitled

20 Y.O. is the ninth studio album by American R&B/pop singer Janet Jackson released by Virgin Records on September 20, 2006 (see 2006 in music) in Japan, on September 22 worldwide, and on September 26 in Canada and the United States. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with 296,000 copies in its first week, making it Jackson's eighth consecutive top 3 debut and second consecutive number-two album debut. The album also debuted at number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and is certified Platinum.

Album information

Executive produced by Jackson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Jermaine Dupri, the concept of 20 Y.O., whose title makes reference to her 1986 hit album, Control (since 2006 will be the twentieth anniversary of Control's release), is largely taking the sound of the past and mixing it with the modern-day present. The addition of producer Jermaine Dupri, quotes Jackson as saying, "It's an edge, an attitude, an exciting vibe that's assertive. It's about taking charge. It says, "Here I am. I'm coming on. Musically, I have it. You want it. And I'm giving it to you."

20 Y.O. completes Janet's 1996 multi-album deal with Virgin Records.

Album production

After the infamous Super Bowl XXXVIII incident, Jackson released her 2004 album, Damita Jo. The added media exposure led to a high chart debut, but no hit singles. Jackson, deciding to step away from the spotlight, announced in late 2004 that she intended to start work on a new album project in the coming year. It would involve her boyfriend - record producer Jermaine Dupri, who was comissioned to executive produce the project - in addition to a roster of other hit producers. Jackson wanted to create a modern record, while returning to the music and sound that made her famous: dance, in the vein of Jackson's hit album, Control. Jackson was keen to get back to both R&B and dance, but with an emphasis on dance.

While much of the album was recorded in Jermaine Dupri's Atlanta recording studio in order to fully capture the Control sound and vibe, Janet again invited producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to also work on the project in Los Angeles. Jackson also entered the recording studio with Kwame, Kanye West, and Track Starz, but none of the songs written with them made the final track listing.

Songs

The following is known about the album tracks from various magazines, interviews, producers and Jackson herself:

• "Get It Out Me" is a track Janet says exploits the "freak within".
• "This Body" originally entitled, "This Body Of Mine," is a song about a woman seen on a magazine cover coming to life off of the pages.
• "With U" is the follow-up to 1986's "Let's Wait Awhile" where the two characters put off the intimacy. "With U" takes place after the act, which results, Jackson explains, in "romantic confusion."
• "Daybreak" is described as an "Escapade" (from Rhythm Nation 1814)-like track which takes Jackson back to her youth with her then boyfriend, sneaking out of her parents' house at night and returning before daybreak.
• "Enjoy" is referred to as "classic Janet." A reminder to live for the day, one lyric states "I refuse to be stuck in the past." Janet revealed that she had been recording the background vocals for the song the day before her brother Michael's verdict was to be announced, and cried because she claims she felt her brother's pain.
• "Take Care" talks about "missing that special someone... but realizing that self-pleasure can be a powerful and spiritual release."
• "Love 2 Love" Jackson says, takes her back to her Velvet Rope days.
• Two songs missing from the final tracklisting, but revealed publicly to fans and press were, "Clap Your Hands", and "Stuck Inside the Groove", which sampled a John Mayer song Jackson referred to as, "a mantra, a dancing meditation on sensuality."

Samples

• The Herbie Hancock song "Rockit" is sampled and found on the track, "So Excited". Khia's vocal is also found within the song.
• The song, "Do It 2 Me" contains elements of the composisiton "If Only For One Night" by Brenda Russell.
• "Call On Me" samples the Jam and Lewis' classic, "Tell Me If You Still Care" in its bridge.
• Afrika Bambaataa was reported to have been used on "Get It Out Me", although no credit was given. Reports may have referred to the an homage or similarity.
• A sample from Kraftwerk was also reported to have been used on an unnamed track, but the sample is not found on the album.

Album packaging and editions

File:Covers20yo.jpg

4 winning entries of "Design Me" contest.

• The Deluxe Edition contains the 20 Y.O. CD, special packaging, a bonus DVD ("Janet: 20 Y.O.: The Project", featuring behind the scenes of photoshoots, Janet rehearsing and recording the album, dancer auditions, and making of the "Call on Me" music video) and a 48-page full-color booklet.
• The normal CD version will have the four different "Design Me" covers featuring cover artwork designed by fans (only available in the US).
• The Japanese edition of the CD contains two bonus tracks -- "Roll Witchu" and "Days Go By".

Jermaine Dupri confirmed that a duet between Jackson and Mariah Carey will happen for the album. Dupri went onto say that the said duet would be featured on the repackaged version of 20 Y.O.

Promotion

• On May 1, 2006, a web-only song called "Weekend" was made available to fans to download via Janet's official web site. The song was a remake of the classic "Lookout Weekend".

• In July 2006, Janet did some early press in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., most notably speaking at an XM Satellite Radio conference. Janet next embarked on a European press junket, (which included stops in London and Berlin), to talk about her new album, answering questions from the press, as well as meeting fans.

• The album was made available for pre-order on iTunes beginning August 28, 2006. The single, "So Excited", is available for immediate download with the pre-order purchase of 20 Y.O..

• A contest for fans to create an album cover image for 20 Y.O., was announced on July 18, 2006, through Yahoo!. Fans were able to create and submit their own album cover design, with a winner being chosen by Jackson herself. The first million copies of the album will be published with this fan-created cover. The concept of the contest was to create an image that best celebrates Janet's past 20 years. Images that span over 20 years of Jackson's career were made available for download for use in creating the design.[1] The winners were featured in a October issue of Us Weekly. Each of them gets a personal phone call from Janet, and their covers will be featured on 250,000 copies each of the album.

• In the lead up to the album's release, Jackson shot covers for: Us, Vibe, Giant, W, FHM, Jezebel, OK, Ebony, King, Sophisticates Black Hair, Movieline/Hollywood Life, Hype Hair, Men's Fitness, Vanity Fair Italy, Unleashed, Upscale, 944, Out, and In Touch. With all these magazine covers, she even has a song on her album called "This Body" which is about a guy buying a magazine with a hot girl on the cover and taking "her" home. Early cover stories focused on Janet's recent weight loss, her relationship with producer Jermaine Dupri, her new album, and turning 40. Her Us Magazine cover became the biggest selling issue in the magazine's history. Jackson's Vibe issue also grabbed headlines with her bikini-clad August cover.

• The entertainment news shows Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood were granted exclusive access to shoot behind the scenes footage of Jackson as she made preparations for her new album.

• The videos from this album were not seen on MTV initially, but were seen on VH1 and BET. This is because Virgin initially did not sign a promotional contract for MTV. Because of this, Jackson spent considerable time promoting the album on BET, filming behind-the-scenes specials of the making of her music videos and even showing up on various shows on the network, including 106 & Park. This helped Jackson tap into the Urban market. There has since been a small promotional contract for MTV.

• Producer Jermaine Dupri began updating fans personally via Jackson's official site's message board. Jackson herself set up a Myspace account, with new music, videos, even answering fans personally.

• Exclusive tracks from 20 Y.O. were premiered to listeners on XM Satellite Radio's "XM Hit List", in September, closer to the album's release, along with exclusive interviews with Janet.

• Janet did a series of interviews for Sirius Satellite Radio, which aired in September 2006.

• Jackson gave a performance of "Nasty" and premiered, "So Excited" to the public in France, at the NRJ Back To School Concerts.

• Jackson gave and filmed a sit down interview, as well as a live performance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in early September 2006; the interview aired on Monday, September 25, 2006.

• On September 14, 2006, Janet premiered her Myspace reality show. The videos document Janet behind the scenes working on her new album, and videos, as well as personal message from Janet herself. Janet is expected to update the site with a new video every so often, giving fans exclusive insight to what she's working on.

• On September 23-26, VH1 Soul aired Jackson's video collection beginning with Dream Street and concluding with "So Excited". Although the videos were not aired in chronological order, the albums were. Jackson was also interviewed and asked questions.

• On September 27, 2006, Jermaine Dupri, Usher, Rev. Al Sharpton, Nina Sky, Ludacris, Eric West, Beth Ostrosky Johnta Austin, Finesse Mitchell and Gibril Wilson were among those who showed up for the albums release party in New York City. [2] [3] [4]

• Several retail outlets in the United States will be giving away various free items with the purchase of the 20 Y.O.. The stores and items are listed below and come with both the regular version and the deluxe version.[5]
  • Target will offer a "Tour Edition" of the album, which will give customers access to preferred seating (up to four concert tickets) at Janet's upcoming 2007 World Tour.
  • Best Buy: Purchase of album comes with code to download four exclusive tracks, which are all remixes of "Call On Me".
  • Wal-mart: Purchase of album comes with code to download one exclusive track. According to Wal-Mart's website they will offer a special edition that will include a remix of "Call on Me" and an exclusive bonus video.
  • Circuit City: Purchase of album comes with code to download the Full Phat Mix of "Call On Me."
  • FYE: Purchase of album comes with a free lithograph of the album cover photo. Limited quantities available.

• Following Jackson's appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Janet's performance of "Nasty" became the #1 most downloaded music video on YouTube with almost 25,000 views in 24 hours.

• Janet held an album signing in Times Square at the Virgin Megastore on September 26, 2006, the album's release date.

• Jackson performed live on the Today Show as part of their Concert Series, on September 29, 2006.

• Despite Jermaine Dupri's exit from Virgin Records in October 2006, Jackson traveled to the Japan in late October to promote the album.

• In November 2006, Jackson returned to the US and appeared and performed on numerous television shows, (Ellen, Tyra, Jimmy Kimmel), promoting the album. Jackson has been tapped to open the 2006 Billboard Music Awards.

Singles

• The album's first single, "Call on Me", was released to radio on June 19. The song peaked at number 25 on Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number one on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart mid-September 2006, following a limited commercial release single.

• The choice for the second single, "So Excited", premiered on So So Def Radio on Atlanta radio station V-103 on August 19, 2006. The song was then made available via Myspace on August 21, 2006. "So Excited" contains samples from Herbie Hancock's "Rockit". Khia's vocals are included in this song.

Leaks

• The song, "Enjoy", leaked onto the Internet, August 24, 2006, the song has received positive reception from internet blogs including Hollywood's most hated website Perez Hilton[6].

• The song, "Take Care", was leaked to radio stations, September 5, 2006, as multiple fans reported hearing the song on the radio.

• A mixtape featuring five tracks from the new album leaked onto the internet, September 7, 2006. Song clips included, "Call On Me", "So Excited", "Enjoy", "Show Me", and "With U". The mixtape was sent to music stores.

• On September 10, two songs were leaked via BestBuy.com's web site, on their Ringtone Download section.

• The bonus track, "Roll Witchu" was leaked on September 11, 2006.

• After the CD's release in Japan, it was leaked to the internet.

Response

• The album has gotten a mixed response from critics. Newsday gave the album a grade of "A-". Newsday has said of the album: "Jackson may not want to dwell in that past, either. After all, 20 Y.O. shows that her future could be even better."

• USA Today gave the album 3 out of 5 stars saying "Janet still has the bounce — and the abs — to go at it with other singers barely as old as her career. It comes down to whether people still care now that the angst is gone."

• New York Times gave a positive review: "On 20 Years Old, Janet is as crafty and poised as ever. Her flirtations are still a pleasure, but an overly familiar one. She’s done these same slinky moves too often to surprise listeners now."

• 20 Y.O. has so far failed to hit the top 40 in both, the United Kingdom Official Albums Chart[7] and Australia, debuting at numbers 63 and 55, respectively. In contrast the album has performed well in both the United States and Canada, hitting the Top 5 in both countries, although notably underperforming previous works, such has Control and Rhythm Nation 1814.

• The album debuted at #12 in Japan and climbed to #7 the second week. The album hit #7 on the Australian Urban Charts. It also managed to reach the #14 spot on UK Urban Album Chart.

Track listing

• Basic track listing

#	Title	Songwriters	Length
1.	"20 (Intro)"	(Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis)	0:52
2.	"So Excited" (featuring Khia)	(Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, James Phillips, Johnta Austin, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Khia Chambers, Herbie Hancock, Michael Benhorn, Bill Laswell)	3:13
3.	"Show Me"	(Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, Jonta Austin, James Harris III, Terry Lewis)	3:38
4.	"Get It Out Me"	(Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, Jonta Austin, James Harris III, Terry Lewis)	3:04
5.	"Do It 2 Me"	(Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, Brenda Russell, Jonta Austin)	4:05
6.	"This Body"	(Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, James Phillips, Jonta Austin, James Harris III, Terry Lewis)	4:10
7.	"20 Part 2 (Interlude)"	(Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis)	0:27
8.	"With U"	(Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, Johnta Austin, Manuel Seal, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, )	5:08
9.	"Call on Me" (with Nelly)	(Janet Jackson, Johnta Austin, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, James Phillips, Jermaine Dupri, Cornell Hayes)	3:24
10.	"20 Part 3 (Interlude)"	(Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis)	0:28
11.	"Daybreak"	(Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Johnta Austin)	4:20
12.	"Enjoy"	(Janet, Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Bobby Ross Avila, Issiah Avila)	4:30
13.	"20 Part 4 (Interlude)"	(Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis)	0:43
14.	"Take Care"	(Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis)	5:43
15.	"Love 2 Love"	(Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Johnta Austin)	5:03
16.	"20 Part 5 (Outro)"	(Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis)	1:03

• iTunes exclusive

#	Title	Length
17.	"Roll Witchu" iTunes [Pre-order Exclusive]	4:30
18.	Video - Call On Me	4:00
19.	Digital Booklet-20 Y.O.

• Japanese edition

#	Title	Length
17.	"Roll Witchu"	4:30
18.	"Days Go By"	4:16

Charts

Chart	Position
U.S. Billboard Top R&B Hip Hop Albums	1
Singapore	1
U.S. Billboard 200	2
U.S. Billboard Comprehensive Albums	2
United World Chart	2
Canadian R&B Top 50	2
U.S. Billboard Top Digital Albums	3
Canada	4
Colombia	5
Japan	7
Australian Urban Albums	7
U.S. Billboard Top Internet Albums	7
UK R&B Albums	14
Italy	21
Greece (International Albums Chart)	24
France	32
Belgium (Wallonie)	22
Holland	34
Switzerland	35
European TOP 100	43
Germany	46
Australia	55
Sweden	57
UK	63
Belgium (Flanders)	67
Poland	72
Ireland	87

Trajectories

Position	2	9	19	28	42	44	67
Sales	296,873	77,240	42,240	26,723	19,861	18,979	15,924
Total	296,873	374,113	416,353	443,076	462,937	481,916	497,840

U.S. Top R&B Hip Hop Albums
Week	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Position	1	3	3	7	12	9	10

Canadian R&B Albums Chart
Week	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Position	2	3	5	10	15

Australian ARIA Urban Albums Chart
Week	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Position	7	7	13	17	13	16	24	32

Oricon Japenese top albums
Week	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Position	12	7	15	17	21	27	27	33
Total	20,380	24,462	11,984	8,854	6,075	7,273	5,883	4,194

United World Chart
Week	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Position	2	16	24	39	-	-
Total	353,000	112,000	69,000	46,000	-	-

Colombian Hot 200 Albums
Week	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Position	5	7	24	57	91	98	173	79

Credits

• Executive producers: Jermaine Dupri, Janet Jackson for JDJ Entertainment, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for Flyte Tyme Productions, Inc.
• Exclusive Management by Johnny Wright and Kenneth Clear for Wright Clear Manangement
• JDJ Entertainment: Jamie Mendoza
• Personal Assistant to Janet: Terri Harris
• Legal Representation: Don Passman, ESQ.
• Album Mastered by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood
• Album Coordinator: Diane McDonald
• Production Coordinator for Flyte Tyme: Vida Sparks
• Sample Clearances: Danny Zook for Alien Music Services
• Album Packaging/Art Direction: Benjamin Ward for The Document Group
• Photography: James White
• Styling: Andrea Lieberman
• Hair Styling: Janet Zeitoun
• Makeup: Fran Cooper