20 Y.O.

Untitled

20 Y.O. is the ninth studio album by American Pop/R&B singer Janet Jackson, released by Virgin Records on September 21, 2006 (see 2006 in music) in Japan, on September 22 worldwide and on September 26, 2006 in Canada and the United States.

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 hit 1986 album, Control (since 2006 will be the 20th anniversary of Control's release) and also refers to "how old [Jackson] feels", is largely taking the sound of the past, 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 Superbowl 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, involving her fiancé, record producer Jermaine Dupri, who was comissioned to executive produce the project - in addition to a roster of other hit producers. Jackson embarked 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 getting 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 on board, to also work on the project in Los Angeles.

Producer Jimmy Jam revealed the writing rhythm the new group had gotten into, "It used to be a lot of involvement from all of us, and at some point Janet became more confident with her writing ability, and she did the bulk of the writing, and it's kind of back full circle. We're all kind of back in there doing it again together, which I really enjoy." "It's the physical nature of sitting in the same room and really hashing it out. It's like, 'You're not going to leave until we have a lyric,' so it's fun."

"It's a lyrically confident album... It's more confident woman lyrics."

Both Janet and Jimmy Jam both agreed that the reason the addition of Jermaine Dupri molded so well into their trio, was because Jermaine was such a fan of Jam and Lewis' work and vice versa. "Jermaine would run into the studio and talk about the songs Jimmy and Terry had done on someone's album... Then Jimmy would start playing the song, and Jermaine would say, 'You know what? Let's do something kind of along those lines as a base."

For the song, "Call on Me" which also turned out to be the first single released off the album, Janet revealed that Nelly and Jermaine had been in the studio alone working together, and came up with the record on their own. They called Janet up, played it for her over the phone, and asked if she wanted to record it. Jackson obliged.

Johnta Austin, Kwame, Avila Brothers, Kanye West, Track Starz , LRoc Khia and Nelly were all involved in the production of the album.

On the question as to where the title for the album originated, Jermaine Dupri revealed, "I started asking her questions like, 'What was the feeling of life when you were 20?' I was so intrigued with what was going on in her life that I just thought her album should be called that." "It made sense as a concept because, obviously, the 20 years since the 'Control' album, but it also means -- for her -- a sense of rejuvination. A sense of that excitement you have when you are 20 years old, when your life is beginning and you're striking out on your own. She has the same hunger and excitement."

Jackson decided to change the title of her album from 20 Years Old to 20 Y.O. due to fan suggestion.

Songs

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

The track, "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".

Afrika Bambaataa is used on "Get It Out Me" a track Janet says exploits the "freak within".

"Love 2 Love" Jackson says, takes her back to her Velvet Rope days. The song was written and recorded during the trial for her brother, Michael.

"Daybreak" is described as an "Escapade"-like track from Rhythm Nation 1814 which takes Jackson back to her youth with her then boyfriend, sneaking out of her parent's house at night and not coming back until daybreak.

"Enjoy" is referred to as "classic Janet." A reminder to live for the day. One lyrics is said to state "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. The song "Take Care" talks about "missing that special someone... but realizing that self-pleasure can be a powerful and spiritual release."

The Herbie Hancock song "Rockit" is sampled and found on the track, "So Excited". Jackson has also revealed that a certain Kraftwerk song will also be sampled, but no information was given as to which song.

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."

Album packaging and editions

File:Covers20yo.jpg

4 winning entries of "Design Me" contest.

Multiple versions of the album were made available. The Deluxe edition includes 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. The normal CD version will also have the four different "Design Me" covers featuring cover artwork designed by fans (only available in the US).

The Deluxe Edition contains the 20 Y.O. cd, special packaging, the bonus DVD, and a 48-page full-color booklet.

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

Promotion for 20 Y. O. began months in advance of the album's release.

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

In July 2006, Janet did some early press in Atlanta and Washington DC, 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.[2] The winners were featured in a October issue of Us Magazine. Each gets a personal phone call from Janet, and the covers will be featured on 250,000 copies each of the cd.

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, Italian Vanity Fair, Unleashed, Upscale, 944, Out, and In Touch. 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.

Because of the limited play on the MTV Network in the US, Jackson spent considerable time promoting the album on the BET Network, 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.

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. will be 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 Oprah 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 video did not air in chronological order, the albums were. Jackson was also interviewed and asked questions.

Several retail outlets in the United States will be giving away various free items with the purchase of the "20 Y.O." album. The stores and items are listed below and come with both the regular version and the deluxe version.[3]

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. Target: Purchase of album comes with code to get early access to buy up to four concert tickets for Janet's upcoming tour. Limited number of tickets and venues available for early purchase.

Best Buy: Purchase of album comes with code to download four exclusive tracks, which are all believed to be remixes of "Call On Me," however that has not been confirmed.

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 Oprah, Janet's "Nasty" performance became the #1 most downloaded music video on Youtube with almost 25,000 views in 24 hours.[4]

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.

Singles

The album's first single, "Call on Me", was released to radio on June 19. The song peaked at number 25 on Billboard's Hot 100 charts and at number one on Billboard's Hot Hip Hop and R&B 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 Saturday, August 19, 2006. The song was then made available via Myspace 12AM Monday, August 21, 2006. "So Excited" contains samples from Herbie Hancock's "Rockit". Khia's vocals are included in this song.

The song, "Enjoy", leaked onto the Internet, August 24, 2006, the song has recieved positive reception from internet blogs including Hollywood's most hated website Perez Hilton[5].

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, on pjbutta.com.

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 3/5 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, even though early, proven to be a success with critics, unlike her last album Damita Jo. However it failed to hit the top 40 in the UK [6], and debuted at 63 in addition. [7]

Track listing

• Basic Tracklisting

#	Title	Length
1.	"20 (Intro)"	0:52
2.	"So Excited" (featuring Khia)	3:13
3.	"Show Me"	3:38
4.	"Get It Out Me"	3:04
5.	"Do It 2 Me"	4:05
6.	"This Body"	4:10
7.	"20 Part 2 (Interlude)"	0:27
8.	"With U"	5:08
9.	"Call on Me" (with Nelly)	3:24
10.	"20 Part 3 (Interlude)"	0:28
11.	"Daybreak"	4:20
12.	"Enjoy"	4:30
13.	"20 Part 4 (Interlude)"	0:43
14.	"Take Care"	5:43
15.	"Love 2 Love"	5:03
16.	"20 Part 5 (Outro)"	1:03

• iTunes Exclusive

#	Title	Length
17.	"Roll Witchu" iTunes [Pre-order Exclusive]
18.	Video - Call On Me	3:30
19.	Digital Booklet-20 Y.O.

• Japan Edition

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

Charts

U.S. Billboard 200
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

Australian ARIA 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

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

UK 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	63

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
Position	12 20,380	7 24,462

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
Position