Janet Jackson radio interview DJ: Hello?Janet: Hi!
DJ: Hi Janet! How are you?
Janet: I'm good.
DJ: You're great uh, welcome to 89.9 Magic, all hits always.
Janet: Thank you very much. I'd like to actually say hello to all the listeners of 89.9 Magic, all hits always.
DJ: Hey thank you very much Janet...Janet, how's life these days?
Janet: How's life?
DJ: Yeah?
Janet: Life is good.
DJ: ...Life is great...Now I have a couple of questions for you. You're coming out with a new album, and the title of course is "Velvet Rope" right?
Janet: "The Velvet Rope" yes.
DJ: "The Velvet Rope", yeah, now why did you come up with that name? It seemed kinda mysterious in a way... "Velvet Rope"...
Janet: Oh really? The velvet rope, ah...the concept behind it is the need we all have to feel special.
DJ: Oh, to feel special. I hope you're feeling special with this new album. Well, if I remember it right your first album is "Control" right? And it's probably over a decade now. How do you think you can describe how much you've changed since like the "Control" album and this new "Velvet Rope" album and all those other albums? How much have you changed since then?
Janet: Well, ah, there's been a great amount of change. Not just musically, but I've always written about what's gone on in my life at that moment...And that is what "The Velvet Rope" is, a continuation of that. And there's been a personal change, this is more introspective, the most personal album I've done.
DJ: So can say that "The Velvet Rope" is a more grown-up kind of Janet Jackson, a more mature album than you've had in the past or something?
Janet: Well...in some ways yes, in other ways no. Not necessarily more mature. It's just bringing about questions, which I think, no matter in what age you are, they come around in certain age of your life.
DJ: Oh alright. I got another question here. You said this is a more personal album...because it's personal, were you in charge of every part of this album, like writing, producing, arranging, and everything like that?
Janet: I've done that with all of my past albums. When I say personal, just more like self-examination, that's what I mean... looking inward more, and it shows on the album and the writing.
DJ: How long did it take you now to get this album together, "The Velvet Rope"?
Janet: I always say 31 years.
DJ: 31 years is a long time! So basically, since you were in a young age and everything you put together...so this album is sort of a summary of those things?
Janet: Yes, things that have happened to my life. From my childhood, to my teenage years, and even 'til today. To actually record the album, it took 6 months. It was a difficult album to make.
DJ: So is it safe to say that "The Velvet Rope" is the life story of Janet Jackson or something like that?
Janet: (laughs) ...The life story of Janet Jackson! I think people will understand me a lot better by listening to this album.
DJ: Have you always wanted to do this album?
Janet: No, I haven't always wanted to do this album. Like what I said, I always write about what's gone on in my life at that moment. And this is what's gone on with me. This is where I am right now in my life.
DJ: Do you consider this the ultimate of your albums? 'Cause you said this is more deep,ah, I mean a deeper album, more personal, so can you say that this is the ultimate of all Janet Jackson albums?
Janet: I guess so. It is a lot deeper than any of the other albums. Ummm...very much thought-provoking.
DJ: So this is the ultimate album. So are we going to be hearing more of you after this album? I mean do you already have any other album in the making?
Janet: Are you kidding? No! (laughs)...Not yet.
DJ: Not yet huh?
Janet: No not yet. I still have to do the world tour next year!
DJ: Well, you know Janet, you were here a couple of years ago, and you put on a really great show. I was there actually, I...
Janet: You're kidding!
DJ: No, I was there screaming. Remember when you picked out a guy from the audience? I was wishing it was me. Unfortunately it was not...Are you coming back to the Philippines any time soon?
Janet: I'm sure we will with the world tour.
DJ: With the world tour, great! People here are so excited to see you! You were here for your a...what tour was that? I remember you performed a lot of your hits from the past albums.
Janet: It was the "janet." tour.
DJ: Yeah, the "janet." tour...I'm sorry. (laughs)
Janet: It's OK. (laughs)
DJ: You sang all those great songs from those albums, I really loved that show! I hope you'll come back again to do some shows!
Janet: Well, I'd love to!
DJ: Can you tell us something now about your new single? Your first single from the new album "The Velvet Rope" is called "Got 'Til It's Gone". Now, this is a famous saying like you don't know what you got 'til it's gone. Is this what the song is about?
Janet: Basically yes. And that can go for anything. I just put it more into a love scene, the concept of love on the album, or the song, I should say.
DJ: Is there more of the love or the dance type of music on this album?
Janet: Well, there's definitely the dance music, but also, the love as well. The love in this is a continuation of the last album I would say.
DJ: Janet, you're very successful in balancing the two, the love and the dance. Of course you came out with great hits like Rhythm Nation, and back it up with Again or something like that. It's really great! Is it hard to balance great dance music and great ballads all in one album?
Janet: For me, I don't think it is. 'Cause growing up being the youngest of the nine kids, having 8 brothers and sisters...there were different types of music all around me. From classical like Tchaikowsky, Bach, Beethoven, to jazz, like Dave Ruben, Chuck Baker, Louis Armstrong, to the Beatles, or Sly and the Family Stone, the Funkadelics...Joni Mitchell, it was very ecclectic. Those were the things that I was raised on, that music...blues, country, so it comes natural for my songs...and the listeners, or the fans , they accept it.
DJ: So you kinda credit your upbringing for the way you are now. Of course, all the success your family has in music, and all those just rubbing off to you. And your brothers and sisters are known, like Michael is known for his great performances and music. Has any of that rubbed off to you, like some stuff from Michael?
Janet: His music?
DJ: Yes.
Janet: Oh sure.
DJ: And does he help you out with some of your albums?
Janet: Ummm...I think he sang background vocals on one of the songs of a very old album a long long time ago. But sure, was I a fan? Am I a fan? Yes, of course.
DJ: And of course he learns a lot from you, Janet. I have another question. "The Velvet Rope", when will this be available here? Would you happen to know?
Janet: October 7th.
DJ: October 7, it's coming out worldwide?
Janet: Yes.
DJ: So do you want to invite everybody here in Manila, who are tuned in, to get a copy of your album, Janet?
Janet: Of course!
DJ: OK, go ahead! (laughs)
Janet: (laughing)...Now you're getting me all embarrassed!
DJ: Oh, I'm sorry!
Janet: (laughs) No, no, don't worry about it. (laughs)
DJ: Well, everybody, do get a copy. October 7 the worldwide release date of "The Velvet Rope". Janet, how many albums have you had? What numerical number is this one? You have "Control", "Rhythm Nation", "janet.", "Design of a Decade", and now "The Velvet Rope". So this is your fifth?
Janet: Is it the 5th? Or 7th ? I don't know. That is pretty funny, I don't count!
DJ: You don't count huh?
Janet: No, I don't.
DJ: Let me repeat that, so you had "Control", "Rhythm Nation", you had "janet.", "Design of a Decade", if I remember the one with the remixes, I think. So this one is your fifth one, right? "The Velvet Rope".
Janet: I did two albums as a kid.
DJ: Oh really?
Janet: When I was really, really young.
DJ: Was this before the Diff'rent Strokes stage? I remember when you were on that show!
Janet: No, one was during the Diff'rent Strokes!
DJ: One was during the Diff'rent Strokes...that was really one of my favorite shows. Do you look back at those TV shows and laugh when you see yourself?
Janet: I don't watch.
DJ: You don't watch?
Janet: No. I get too embarrassed.
DJ: You'd rather forget it huh?
Janet: No, it's not that I'd rather forget it...but I just get too embarrassed watching myself.
DJ: Going back to your album, "The Velvet Rope". I heard that it's a symbol that you are special, a sign that you're accepted or rejected, and a metaphor for pleasure and also for pain. Can you explain that a little bit more?
Janet: Which one?
DJ: All three of them.
Janet: Like I've said before, feeling special, it can bring out the best in us, and the worst in us which the album talks about. You can be oppressive, to oppress someone just to build yourself up. To make yourself feel better, but that don't last for so long. Metaphor for pain and pleasure, I think that comes with the love songs. But pleasurable pain. (laughs)
DJ: Just a summary...so "The Velvet Rope" means different things to different people. I guess it depends on how they interpret it?
Janet: It does, it will. And people have their own velvet ropes.
DJ: Right. I'm gonna go look for my velvet rope. Hey thank you very much Janet Jackson for giving us a call straight from New York City! How's the weather over there?
Janet: Ummm...The skies are blue, the clouds are white, and it's raining.
DJ: And it's raining? Well, that's a bit weird huh? Have a wonderful time OK. Thanks again for dropping by, for having dropping by...for calling us from New York City. And once again, don't forget to get a copy of her new album "The Velvet Rope", out on October 7th. And thanks again Janet for calling. Have a great time in New York!
Janet: Thank you.
DJ: Good bye. And now, here's the carrier single from Janet's new album "The Velvet Rope", it's called "Got 'Til It's Gone"...(premier of GTIG).
I got this interview from the JaNet mailing list and it was Soulpower who posted it.
Miss Janet page