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Unbreakable (Janet Jackson album)

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Untitled

Unbreakable is the upcoming eleventh studio album by American recording artist Janet Jackson, set to be released on October 2, 2015.[1] It is the first album to released under her independent label Rhythm Nation Records, distributed by BMG Rights Management. Seven years prior to its development, Jackson parted ways with Island Records due to dissatisfaction over the company's lack of promotion for her tenth studio album Discipline (2008). As a result, speculation arose as to whether she would pursue yet another traditional recording contract with a major label or release future recordings through alternative avenues, such as the 360 deals offered by Live Nation Entertainment.

The following year, she suffered the unexpected death of her brother Michael Jackson; she later performed a special tribute to him at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. She also ended her seven year relationship with record producer Jermaine Dupri. A&M Records and Universal Music Enterprises subsequently released her second greatest hits compilation, Number Ones (2009). Although she began recording new material with producer Rodney Jerkins, she eventually abandoned the project, still unwilling to specify whether she intended to sign with a major label or release music independently. After starring in feature films Why Did I Get Married Too? and For Colored Girls in 2010, she embarked on the world concert tour Number Ones, Up Close and Personal in 2011 to promote her second compilation. In 2013, she indicated she was once again working on a new record. Later that year, she also revealed that she was married to her third husband, Qatari businessman Wissam Al Mana. She announced in May, 2015, that she would embark on the Unbreakable World Tour and release her eleventh studio album through her newly formed, independent record label as a result of a partnership between herself and BMG.[2]

Unbreakable reunites Jackson with the songwriting/production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who last collaborated with her on her ninth studio album 20 Y.O. (2006). Songs on the album also include rappers J. Cole and Missy Elliott as featured artists. Jackson developed the concept for the album and the production of the supporting world tour simultaneously. Its theme reflects various experiences over the course of her life—including aspects of her childhood and the loss of Michael—in addition to socially conscious messages related to her 1989 album Rhythm Nation 1814. It is described an open dialog on "where we stand today as individuals and as the inter-related elements of a planet."[1] She has promoted the album through social media, frequently using the hashtag #ConversationsInACafe as well as taglines "I've been listening" and "Let's keep the conversation going." Its lead single, titled "No Sleeep", was released on June 22, 2015.

Background

After releasing her tenth studio album Discipline in 2008, Jackson parted ways with her 14-month label Island Records. A spokesperson for the singer added, "[Jackson] will have autonomy over her career, without the restrictions of a label system... Always known to break new ground and set trends, Janet's departure from Island Records makes her one of the first superstar artists to have the individual freedom to promote their work through a variety of avenues such as iTunes, mobile carriers and other diverse and innovative channels."[3] Mariel Concepcion of Billboard magazine suggested "Jackson would seem to be a natural fit at Live Nation Artists, which is already home to Jay-Z, Nickelback and Shakira."[3] The following year, she suffered the unexpected death of her brother Michael Jackson; she later performed a special tribute to him at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.[4] She also ended her seven year relationship with record producer Jermaine Dupri.[5]

A&M Records and Universal Music Enterprises subsequently released her second greatest hits compilation, Number Ones (2009). Although she began recording new material with producer Rodney Jerkins, she eventually abandoned the project, still unwilling to specify whether she intended to sign with a major label or release music independently.[6] After starring in feature films Why Did I Get Married Too? and For Colored Girls in 2010, she embarked on the world concert tour Number Ones, Up Close and Personal in 2011 to promote her second compilation. In 2013, she indicated she was once again working on a new record. Later that year, she also revealed that she was married to her third husband, Qatari businessman Wissam Al Mana. She announced in May, 2015, that she would embark on the Unbreakable World Tour and release her eleventh studio album through her newly formed, independent record label as a result of a partnership between herself and BMG.[7]

Recording

In October 2009, just a month before Jackson released her second compilation album Number Ones, American producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins revealed that they were working together on the singer's eleventh studio album:

Since we've been working … I feel like the studio has become a second home for her because with the whole situation with Michael [Jackson] happening, and I feel like right now, emotionally, she can come here and let all her feelings out. [...] You gotta understand, she lost her brother. She was in a relationship for seven years [with Jermaine Dupri] that's over now. There's things that she told me that I didn't even realize. You know, certain [things] like self-esteem that I didn't even realize that she dealt with for years that, you know. … She's working on her book and she'll deal with that in her book, but also in songs, certain songs we're dealing with that head on. And sometimes it can be a touchy subject for us to even go into, and I kinda had to persuade her, 'Let's just go, let's talk about that.' And she's been doing it, and she's a pro about it.[8]

However, in 2010, Jackson revealed she had scrapped the recorded material with Jerkins, with only a track produced by them, "Nothing", being used as theme for the film Why Did I Get Married Too?. She claimed it was penned a favor for the producer, for "fun". She also revealed, "There have been a lot of record labels that have asked me to sit down and talk with them, but I don't know if I want to do something completely independent, or go with a major".[9] In August 2011, while touring with her Number Ones, Up Close and Personal world tour, the singer stated that she would "go back into the studio later this year or early next. I am not sure what I will be doing yet. I like to be inspired by what is going on in my life at that time".[10] In 2013, she confirmed she was recording a new album and "creating the concept and initial thoughts on the music."[11]

In August 2014, producer and engineer Ian Cross, who worked on her last three studio albums, confirmed to Barefoot Sound magazine that he was working on Jackson's new album, stating, "The new album is going to be great. It's a process. There's a lot in store, yet to come", also saying they worked in recording studios in Qatar, Paris and Middle East. He asserted that he and the singer "had a little bit more of a special relationship because we became friends naturally. You meet a lot of people and you become friends with a couple of them, but sometimes there is one person you become really good friends with. She asked me to work on an album with her called Discipline in 2007 and, again, just do the same thing, produce the vocals. That led to her hiring me full-time to work with her. That's where I'm at now". After Cross' declarations, Jackson herself responded to the rumor, neither confirming nor denying the works, stating: "If there is a new project, you'll hear it from my lips", she tweeted.[12] Unbreakable saw Jackson reunite with long-time producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who did not contribute to her previous project.[13]

Composition

The album opens with the title track "Unbreakable", a mid-tempo R&B song, which describes Jackson's unyielding devotion to her fans. Ryan Reed of Rolling Stone said the song "finds Jackson praising her loyal fan base over a groove built on a breezy vocal sample and thumping bass."[14] Loren DiBlasi of MTV referred to the song as "timeless," stating "'Unbreakable' is classic Janet — angelic vocals delivered with timeless R&B style."[15]

"No Sleeep" is an R&B and quiet storm song,[16][17] which lyrically finds Jackson crooning about a long-distance romance over "soulful" keyboards and programmed drums.[18] Opening with a sample of pouring rain and distant thunder, the first word heard is "plush", followed by Jackson singing the chorus: "You missing me, I'm missing you, whenever we meet, we ain't gonna get no sleep," in her signature breathy soprano.[16]

Release

On April 22, 2015, she tweeted, "Letting go doesn't mean you stop", after a fan created a mock Missing Persons poster of Jackson which had begun circulating the internet prompting Jackson to retweet it herself, adding to further speculation of a new album.[19] On May 15, 2015, on her 49th birthday, Jackson announced a new album and world tour and stated "I promised you would 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."[20] It was later announced that she will release her new album in the fall of 2015 under her own record label, Rhythm Nation Records, distributed by BMG Rights Management.[21] The launch of Rhythm Nation marks Jackson as among the few African-American female musicians to establish a record label.[22] In June, she released the album's first single, "No Sleeep". That same month, she teased a track titled "Love", which was later re-titled "Unbreakable". The song is about how important her fans were to her.[23] On August 20, 2015, she released a preview of a new song "The Great Forever", while also confirming the title of her eleventh studio album as Unbreakable,[24][25] and is set to release on October 2, 2015.[26]

Singles

The album's first single, titled "No Sleeep", was released on June 22, 2015. In early June, Jimmy Jam tweeted, "Early morning #Plush #NoSL333P #ConversationsInACafe", along with a picture of sheet music in a darkened studio. Fans quickly found out the titles "No SL333P" and "Plush" in the picture.[27] Later, it was leaked a snippet of the song, followed by a countdown on her official website which revealed the song on June 22, 2015.[28][29] The album version of the song features additional verses from American rapper J. Cole. It was released to radio airplay and made available for digital download on July 23, 2015.[30] Jackson's solo version of the single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 67, marking her 40th entry on the chart. The album version featuring J. Cole enabled it to re-enter the Hot 100 with a new peak position at number 63, while also topping the Adult R&B Songs chart.

Promotion

To further promote the album, Jackson embarked on the accompanying Unbreakable World Tour in August 2015.[31] Pre-sale tickets were made available exclusively to American Express and Citibank cardholders prior to general admission tickets going on sale on June 22, 2015.[32] Jackson's forthcoming album was also made available for pre-order, along with vinyl copies of the album's lead single "No Sleeep".[33] On September 19, she will be performing at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.[34]

Track listing

Unbreakable  – Standard edition[35]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Unbreakable"
3:38
2."BURNITUP!" (featuring Missy Elliott)
 4:09
3."Dammn Baby"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
  • Abernathy
 3:55
4."The Great Forever"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
 4:18
5."Shoulda Known Better"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
 4:45
6."After You Fall"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
 4:48
7."Broken Hearts Heal"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
 3:42
8."Night"
 4:14
9."No Sleeep" (featuring J. Cole)
  • Jackson
  • Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
4:20
10."Dream Maker / Euphoria"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
  • Lumpkins
 2:46
11."2 B Loved"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
  • Lumpkins
  • Abernathy
 2:55
12."Take Me Away"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
 4:18
13."Promise"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
 0:57
14."Lessons Learned"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
 4:23
15."Black Eagle"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
 3:17
16."Well Traveled"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
 4:18
17."Gon B Alright"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
  • Lumpkins
 3:54
Total length:64:37
Unbreakable  – iTunes Store bonus tracks[35]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
18."No Sleeep"
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
  • Jackson
  • Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
3:26
19."No Sleeep" (AFSHeeN Remix featuring J. Cole)
  • Jackson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
  • Cole
  • Jackson
  • Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
2:59
Total length:71:02

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, format(s), label, and references
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Worldwide October 2, 2015
  • Rhythm Nation
  • BMG
 [35]

References

  1. ^ a b "News". JanetJackson.com. September 3, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  2. ^ Andrew Hampp (June 3, 2015). "Janet Jackson to Release New Album This Fall Via Rhythm Nation/BMG". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Concepcion, Mariel (September 22, 2008). "Janet Jackson Parts Ways With Island Def Jam". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
  4. ^ Kaufman, Gil (September 13, 2009), "VMAs Kick Off with Madonna and Janet's Tribute to Michael Jackson", MTV News, retrieved September 14, 2009
  5. ^ Brown, Laura (October 2009), "Janet Jackson Takes Control", Harper's Bazaar, p. 244, ISSN 0017-7873
  6. ^ "Janet Jackson Trying 'New Things' On Next LP, Rodney Jerkins Says". October 22, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  7. ^ Andrew Hampp (June 3, 2015). "Janet Jackson to Release New Album This Fall Via Rhythm Nation/BMG". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  8. ^ "Janet Jackson Trying 'New Things' On Next LP, Rodney Jerkins Says". October 22, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  9. ^ "Despite Two New Tracks, Janet Jackson "Not Working on an Album"". Rolling Stone.
  10. ^ "Janet is back in control". Star Tribune.
  11. ^ Andrew Hampp (May 18, 2013). "Janet Jackson Talks 'janet.' 20th Anniversary". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  12. ^ Erin Strecker (May 16, 2015). "Janet Jackson Addresses New Album Report". Billboard.
  13. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Discipline – Janet Jackson". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
  14. ^ Ryan Reed (September 4, 2015). "Hear Janet Jackson's Soulful New Song, 'Unbreakable'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  15. ^ Loren DiBlasi (September 4, 2015). "Janet Jackson Delivers A Timeless R&B Jam With "Unbreakable"". MTV. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  16. ^ a b Philip Caulfield (June 22, 2015). "Janet Jackson drops first new single in seven years, 'No Sleeep'". Daily News. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  17. ^ Meaghan Garvey (June 23, 2015), "No Sleeep", Pitchfork Media, retrieved June 23, 2015
  18. ^ Ryan Reed (June 22, 2015). "Janet Jackson Promises 'No Sleeep' on Alluring New Single". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  19. ^ "Janet Jackson Calls Fan's Mock Missing-Person Flyer Too Funny, Too Sweet: Cue the Fans Who Want More Music!", E!Online, April 22, 2015, retrieved April 24, 2015
  20. ^ "Janet Jackson Announces New Album, Tour". Billboard.com. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  21. ^ Andrew Hampp (June 3, 2015). "Janet Jackson to Release New Album This Fall Via Rhythm Nation/BMG". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  22. ^ "Janet Jackson back with new album – and record-breaking new deal with BMG". The Guardian. June 3, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  23. ^ "Janet Jackson teases new song: Listen". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com.
  24. ^ Jeremy Gordon (August 20, 2015). "Janet Jackson Titles New Album, Previews "The Great Forever"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  25. ^ Joe Lynch (August 20, 2015). "Janet Jackson Teases Upbeat New Song 'The Great Forever,' Confirms Album Title". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  26. ^ Albin, Matt. "Yo Gotti 'The Art Of Hustle', Jadakiss 'Top 5 Dead or Alive', & Janet Jackson 'Unbreakable' Get Release Dates". Fashionably-Early.com. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  27. ^ Mike Wass (June 8, 2015). "Jimmy Jam Hints At Janet Jackson's New Single Being Called "No SL333P" (Or "Plush") In A Cryptic Tweet". Idolator. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  28. ^ "New Music: Janet Jackson – 'No Sleeep' [Snippet]". Rap-Up. June 21, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  29. ^ Liv Moss (June 22, 2015). "Janet Jackson unveils new single No Sleeep – listen". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  30. ^ Melinda Newman (July 22, 2015). "Janet Jackson & J. Cole Team Up for 'No Sleeep' Remix: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2015. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  31. ^ "With the whole lining up, North America to be 1st continent on Janet Jackson's "Unbreakable World Tour"". Janet Jackson.com. June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  32. ^ Jesse Lawrence (June 18, 2015). "With 'Unbreakable' Presale Underway, Janet Jackson Tickets Nearing $200 Average on Resale Market". Forbes. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  33. ^ Andrew Hampp (June 15, 2015). "Janet Jackson Announces 'Unbreakable World Tour'". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  34. ^ Mesfin Fekadu (July 30, 2015). "Kanye West, the Who, Janet Jackson, Sam Smith set for iHeartRadio Music Festival in September". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  35. ^ a b c All citations concerning the worldwide release of Unbreakable:
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