Janet Jackson
People often forget that Janet Jackson is more than just a seductive mezzo soprano or dancing sensation. Growing up in a musical family, Janet learned how to play instruments and has a natural sense of rhythm and melody. She has played a strong and critical role in the production of most of her albums.
Starting appropriately enough with Control, Janet contributed her ideas, thoughts and feelings with the album’s producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The album became a reflection of who she was as a young woman at the time. With each subsequent album, the artist has played a stronger role, most notably with the self-titled janet., where she wrote all of the lyrics and created half of the melodies for the project.
Her biggest and most success production work, however, came on the Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 album, with her hit record, “Black Cat” with a little help from Jellybean Johnson. Janet wanted a rock song to complete the album. When the Flyte Tyme team wasn't prepared to record, Janet took control of the project herself. The single catapulted to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a hit in many other countries.
While Janet is often mentioned as collaborating with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, many assume she just gives her opinion or makes suggestions. However, the story of their collaborative process is a lot more intricate and involved and even still evolving. Like the greatest creative processes, it is not for us to completely understand, but simply to enjoy the end results.
