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The writing was on the wall a few months ago when she was quoted as saying they didn't promote her most recent album.And now it's been confirmed that Janet Jackson has parted ways with Island Def Jam.
Just 14 months of being on the powerhouse label, helmed by Antonio "L.A." Reid, it was announced today that Jackson is no longer a part of its superstar roster.
Her rep confirmed the news to BlackVoices.com this afternoon.
"The label agreed to dissolve their relationship with the artist at her request" is the official word.
Janet Jackson Pictures
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Hip hop artist LL Cool J performs onstage during Janet Jackson's "Rock Witchu" tour at the Staples Center on September 17, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Singer Janet Jackson performs during her concert, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP
Singer Janet Jackson performs during her concert, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Singer Janet Jackson performs onstage during her "Rock Witchu" tour at the Staples Center on September 17, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Singer Janet Jackson performs onstage during her "Rock Witchu" tour at the Staples Center on September 17, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Singer Janet Jackson performs onstage during her "Rock Witchu" tour at the Staples Center on September 17, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Singer Janet Jackson performs during her concert, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Singer Janet Jackson performs onstage during her "Rock Witchu" tour at the Staples Center on September 17, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Singer Janet Jackson performs onstage during her "Rock Witchu" tour at the Staples Center on September 17, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Singer Janet Jackson performs onstage during her "Rock Witchu" tour at the Staples Center on September 17, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
It was announced that the 'Rhytmn Nation' singer inked a deal with Island in July 2007 and released her label debut, 'Discipline,' this past February.
Although the album debuted at #1 when it was released, overall sales failed to meet expectations.
Executive produced by Jackson and her longtime lover, Island Urban president Jermaine Dupri, 'Discipline' sold 181,000 copies in its first week. According to Nielsen SoundScan, it has only sold 415,000 copies to date.
Jackson, who starred in Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married?' movie last year, expressed dissatisfaction with the label, even to go as far as stating that they "stopped all promotion whatsoever on the album" after releasing the first single, 'Feedback.'
"I can't say if we'll be working with them in the future," she recently told 'Billboard.' "I don't know what the future holds between the two of us."
"Always known to break new ground and set trends, Janet's departure from Island 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," a statement about the separation read.
Jackson is currently on the road with her first tour in seven years, "Rock Witchu," with LL Cool J and Donnie Klang as opening acts.
The Live Nation-promoted jaunt began Sept. 10 in Vancouver and runs through Oct. 22 in Dallas.
A spokesperson for Island Def Jam could not be reached by deadline.
Comments: (104)
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By: DJ on 9/24/2008 2:04PM
I think that the concert costumes and stuff is not what's up. I would not pay to watch a 40 year-old woman dance in a weaved out mohawk singing about who knows what.
On the other hand, Janet is nice, sweet and has style... I just think that she needs to come up with a creative way to express it to people who grew up with her (ages 25-45) and the younger kids to like to. Jam songs are good.
She definitley should do something with Chris Brown...It's about time to do a family tribute with her brother... she should do something with one od JD's label people...keep it up fresh
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By: Cedric on 9/24/2008 2:09PM
You know I just about feed up about all who say folks are OLD! Guess what....you will get old as well. Just sit down and don't do something that you enjoy is the wrong thing. We shouldn't tear our ICONs, kings, and queens down. WHY DO WE PEEPS! She fat, she is to old....that is not the best approach. Wait until you are talked about that way and see how does it feel. Remember treat others on how you want to be treated. I LUV you Janet and all others before you and after. I will support you no matter what.
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By: dprecious on 9/24/2008 2:13PM
When Janet stop working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis it all went down hill. No one knew Janet musically like Jimmy and Terry and if she is smart at all she will call them and beg them to work with her again. She can go to another record company but without those two guys she is still going to FLOP. Shit she has not really been successful since Rhythem Nation which I think is the last cd she worked on with Jimmy and Terry, plus they could use a little help getting back out there. HEY JANET HOLLA AT YA BOY'S.
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By: Gypsy32 on 9/24/2008 2:24PM
Look at Mary J. Blige. She's a little younger but Mary has stayed true 2 her 411 fan's but explored fresh beat's, vccal styles, looks & the woman can stretch & move her new body all kinds way which is entertaining 4 all her fan's!I went 2 see both Mary & Jay-Z in concert so AGE & RACE NOT an issue because their were fans from teenagers up to their 50's 4-Real ALL Dancing & LiVING it Up 2-GETHER! It's time 4 Janet's MUSIC 2 MATURE w/ the LYRIC'S...stay true 2 Janet but GET REAL, GET FUNKY & GET BACK 2 SOME SOUL..."I GET SO LONLEY","CONROL","RYTHYM NATION" but All that Lip singing sounding BUBBLE GUM: Like Brittney Spear's!JUST SEEM'S theirs a disconnet somewhere. ALSO, it didn't help that Mariah's CD was released shortly afterwards.
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By: Tracey on 9/24/2008 2:31PM
I've never been a big Janet Jackson fan, but I like her well enough. I think that with all the fans she had in her heyday she should still be able to release platinum albums and get paid, unless all those 30-40-50 yr old fans jumped ship and got their old asses somewhere listening to the new garbage u hear on the radio. And lets face it, Janet is one helluva a live performer, even though I was never crazy about her voice.
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By: dprecious on 9/24/2008 2:33PM
I HAVE TWO NAMES FOR JANET JIMMY "JAM" HARRIS AND TERRY LEWIS. THESE ARE THE ONLY PRODUCERS THAT REALLY KNOW JANET MUSICALLY. SHE HAS NOT HAD ANY BIGGER SUCCESS THAN CONTROL AND RHYTHEM NATION WHICH WERE BOTH PRODUCED BY THOSE TWO GUYS. THEY PUT HER ON AND IF SHE KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR HER SHE WILL GIVE THOSE TWO BROTHER A CALL BECAUSE SHE IS SINKING FAST OR SHOULD I SAY HAVE SUNK. LISTEN FORGET ABOUT ALL THAT PROMOTION TALK SHE IS JANET SHE SHOULD SELL ON NAME ALONE BUT SHE'S NOT. DO YOU WANNA KNOW WHY BECAUSE OF THAT SHYT SHE CALLS MUSIS, SHE CAN FUK DUPREE BUT LEAVE THE PRODUCTION TO JIMMY AND TERRY. SHE HAS NOT HAD AS BIG OF A RECORD AS CONTROL AND RHYTHEM NATION HELLO PRODUCED BY WHOM THAT'S RIGHT JIMMY AND TERRY. SPEAKING OF, WHERE ARE THEY, THEY PROBABLY COULD USE HER HELP AS WELL. AND THE OTHER BLOGGER IS RIGHT SHE NEEDS TO GROW UP, BEFORE IT WAS SEXY ALL THE RACY PERFORMACES BUT NOW IT IS PATHEIC AND NOT SEXY. SHE LOOKS LIKE AN OLD ACT TRYING TO COMPETE WITH THE YOUNGSTERS IE CIARA, BEYONCE. OH AND SPEAKING OF CIARA, JANET SHOULD HAVE DONE A VIDEO FOR THAT REMIX THAT CIARA WAS ON, BUT SHE ONLY CAME OFF AS A HATER THAT CAN'T HANG WITH CIARA. GET TOGETHER JANET TAKE CONTROL AGAIN. I'M NOT A JANET HATER I LOVE HER OR USE TO UNTIL SHE STARTED PUTTING OUT THAT CRAPPY MUSIC. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE CONTROL AND RHYTHEM NATION THEY ARE TRULY CLASSICS'
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By: Blacklace101 on 9/24/2008 2:44PM
Eventually Janet will be forced to grow up. Everyone get's their turn and she's had hers now she needs to think and a little more sensible.. Grow up is hard but once you get over the hurdle its a wonderful thing.
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By: Ginger on 9/24/2008 2:47PM
I agree with Lyn and I also feel that TLC's last album suffered because they too forgot their target audience.
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By: Blacklace101 on 9/24/2008 2:54PM
stop hating... Janet still got it... I'm a female 100% not gay or interested in women in any form or fashion. But we have to give credit where credit is due. She seem to be taking very good care of herself unlike the average black women today with the excess belly fat... Yuck..work it out ladies it can be done.
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By: LALA on 9/24/2008 3:02PM
WAIT ISN'T THAT THE SAME LABEL RIHANNA'S ON? THAT HAS ALSO MISMANAGED HER AND THE MONEY? ANYWAY THIS IS ABOUT JANET...I LIKE HER AND I THINK THAT SHE NEEDS TO DO MORE CAMEOS LIKE THAT SONG SHE DID WITH J.D. "GONNA GETCHU" THAT WAS A HOT SONG. MAYBE SHE NEEDS TO DO WHAT JESSICA SIMPSON DID...POP DIDN'T WORK FOR HER ANYMORE,SO SHE HAULED AZZ TO COUNTRY MUSIC LOL OOPS THATS NOT GOING WELL FOR HER EITHER LOL. OH WELL JANET SEEMS TO ME ALL YOUR 80'S FANS EITHER DIED,KEEPING UP WITH THEIR GENERATION X,Y,Z CHILDREN AND EVEN WORSE THEY ARE BEING WAY TOO ENTERTAINED BY LIL WAYNES GRIMLIN LOOKING AZZ MULTIPLATINUM LOLLY POP LOL EWW!!
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