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33⅓ Main Series #148
The Velvet Rope
The question of control for Black women is a costly one. From 1986 onwards, the trajectory of Janet Jackson's career can be summed up in her desire for control. Control for Janet was never simply just about her desire for economic and creative control over her career but was, rather, an existential question about the desire to control and be in control over her bodily integrity as a Black woman.
This book examines Janet's continuation of her quest for control as heard in her sixth album, The Velvet Rope . Engaging with the album, the promotion, the tour, and its accompanying music videos, this study unpacks how Janet uses Black cultural production as an emancipatory act of self-creation that allows her to reconcile with and, potentially, heal from trauma, pain, and feelings of alienation. The Velvet Rope's arc moves audiences to imagine the possibility of what emancipation from oppression--from sexual, to internal, to societal--could look like for the singer and for others. The sexually charged content and themes of abuse, including self-harm and domestic violence, were dismissed as “selling points” for Janet at the time of its release. The album stands out as a revelatory expression of emotional vulnerability by the singer, one that many other artists have followed in the 20-plus years since its release.
This book examines Janet's continuation of her quest for control as heard in her sixth album, The Velvet Rope . Engaging with the album, the promotion, the tour, and its accompanying music videos, this study unpacks how Janet uses Black cultural production as an emancipatory act of self-creation that allows her to reconcile with and, potentially, heal from trauma, pain, and feelings of alienation. The Velvet Rope's arc moves audiences to imagine the possibility of what emancipation from oppression--from sexual, to internal, to societal--could look like for the singer and for others. The sexually charged content and themes of abuse, including self-harm and domestic violence, were dismissed as “selling points” for Janet at the time of its release. The album stands out as a revelatory expression of emotional vulnerability by the singer, one that many other artists have followed in the 20-plus years since its release.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2020
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152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 7, 2024
I just love the fact that these 33 1/3 books introduce me to albums. I've never heard a Janet Jackson album and now having listened to The Velvet Rope, I regret not listening to it sooner.
Ayanna Dozier provides an in depth analysis, but more importantly through Janet's songs on this record we get a picture of someone who is ready to embrace their African heritage and assert herself as woman.
The Velvet Rope was a bold move for Janet Jackson. She also was open about herself and this is seen through the videos as well.
Usually the best 33 1/3 volumes are ones that are meticulously researched and have a form of social commentary. On that front this volume works.
August 20, 2020
This book gave me a new insight into what Janet Jackson was going through when she created “The Velvet Rope”. There was a lot of suffering and emotional turmoil for Janet while making this album. But, by making it out of that dark time and pouring her soul into her art, she was able to create “The Velvet Rope”.
Dozier does a great job of interspersing Black feminist concepts with discussion of the creative process behind the album. After creating janet., Jackson moved on from her former image as a cleaner cut pop star to a more erotic image. Dozier explores the context around how black women have historically been sexualized in very specific ways by society. Venture out of that bubble, and society immediately tries to box you back in. This is seen most starkly in the comparison of male vs female reviewers of the album. Men saw the album as boring and thought Janet manufactured her pain to sell records; many women were similar but the only reviewers who understood the point were women. We still have a long way to go as a society, but we can help get there by learning from books like this one.
I recommend this book.
Dozier does a great job of interspersing Black feminist concepts with discussion of the creative process behind the album. After creating janet., Jackson moved on from her former image as a cleaner cut pop star to a more erotic image. Dozier explores the context around how black women have historically been sexualized in very specific ways by society. Venture out of that bubble, and society immediately tries to box you back in. This is seen most starkly in the comparison of male vs female reviewers of the album. Men saw the album as boring and thought Janet manufactured her pain to sell records; many women were similar but the only reviewers who understood the point were women. We still have a long way to go as a society, but we can help get there by learning from books like this one.
I recommend this book.
October 23, 2020
As ever with these monographs, there are a multitude of approaches that range from entirely personal to the wholly academic. The 33 1/3 series is even more tricky in some ways because music, even where constrained by an album, is that little bit harder to write about - not that there aren't stacks of music journalism out there attempting to do that. So this take on Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope is an interesting one as she is lucky to be unearthing an album that was seen at the time to be a slight critical misstep, and commercially slightly less successful (it would be wrong to say it was a flop in any way). Ayanna Dozier was a kid when the Velvet Rope came out, her mother bought it and its transgressive sexuality and conversations on abuse and depression made it a strange fit in her house's record collection - and also therefore became her absolute favourite. The monograph flies when we get a window into this world, the personal touch really works here, though it is clear that due to her own personal attachment she is very keep on making as reasoned and evidenced an argument for it being good on its own terms rather than just her subjective experience.
Writing about Janet Jackson in 2020, but about a 1997 album comes with baggage. Writing about any Jackson comes with family baggage, not just Michael but our knowledge about how Joe Jackson was a patriarch and some of that legacy. Wisely Dozier parks Michael right at the beginning - not least because as an artist Janet has always been compared to him, often in a belittling and derogatory sense. Also we are seven years before her effective cancellation by MTV and US radio after the Superbowl incident, it has no real bearing on The Velvet Rope (beyond underlining some of the misogyny and hypocrisy that was embedded in the media). There is a terrific moment where Dozier talks about how freeing the early days on the internet were (there is a dial-up modem interlude on the album), and for me recalling what the media and world of 1997 was was difficult, history to her, memories for me. All of which to say thematically, personally and musically this does a great job of picking apart the Velvet Rope and making it feel like a masterpiece.
Is it a masterpiece? That's an interesting question - I hadn't heard it beyond most of the singles (I wasn't doing pop in the mid nineties much). I listened to it before I read the book. I liked it so much I listen to it quite a few times, and then listened to it while reading, and the arguments are persuasive. This is an album that surprises, plays with genre but with a central superstar sounding vulnerable and unsure. I'd like to think if I had just listened to it without knowing I was going to read the book I would have a similar response, but the book definately allowed me to wallow in it, enjoy some behind the scenes takes and some subtext that I probably wouldn't have otherwise delved into. A good read on its own, it manages to unfold the album and make a case for it at the same time - along with enough personal history to illustrate yet again how music, and an album, can really affect someones life.
[Netgalley ARC]
Writing about Janet Jackson in 2020, but about a 1997 album comes with baggage. Writing about any Jackson comes with family baggage, not just Michael but our knowledge about how Joe Jackson was a patriarch and some of that legacy. Wisely Dozier parks Michael right at the beginning - not least because as an artist Janet has always been compared to him, often in a belittling and derogatory sense. Also we are seven years before her effective cancellation by MTV and US radio after the Superbowl incident, it has no real bearing on The Velvet Rope (beyond underlining some of the misogyny and hypocrisy that was embedded in the media). There is a terrific moment where Dozier talks about how freeing the early days on the internet were (there is a dial-up modem interlude on the album), and for me recalling what the media and world of 1997 was was difficult, history to her, memories for me. All of which to say thematically, personally and musically this does a great job of picking apart the Velvet Rope and making it feel like a masterpiece.
Is it a masterpiece? That's an interesting question - I hadn't heard it beyond most of the singles (I wasn't doing pop in the mid nineties much). I listened to it before I read the book. I liked it so much I listen to it quite a few times, and then listened to it while reading, and the arguments are persuasive. This is an album that surprises, plays with genre but with a central superstar sounding vulnerable and unsure. I'd like to think if I had just listened to it without knowing I was going to read the book I would have a similar response, but the book definately allowed me to wallow in it, enjoy some behind the scenes takes and some subtext that I probably wouldn't have otherwise delved into. A good read on its own, it manages to unfold the album and make a case for it at the same time - along with enough personal history to illustrate yet again how music, and an album, can really affect someones life.
[Netgalley ARC]
December 9, 2020
I appreciated Dozier's coverage of everything, from initial reception to interludes to music videos and the tour (Even 'The Beat of Black Wings' was mentioned!). The points about mental health and isolation resonate deeply, especially in 2020. This book made me realize how little I know about her marriage to Rene Elizondo Jr.
September 3, 2024
Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope is a masterpiece of introspection and innovation, a groundbreaking album that showcases the depth and range of her artistry. Released in 1997, this album is a bold exploration of vulnerability, empowerment, and self-discovery, wrapped in a soundscape that blends R&B, pop, funk, and trip-hop with a level of sophistication that only Jackson could deliver.
From the very first track, "Velvet Rope," Jackson invites listeners into a world of emotional complexity, addressing themes of depression, self-worth, and the search for identity. Her lyrics are raw and honest, revealing a side of Janet that had never been so openly expressed in her previous work. This is not just an album; it's an emotional journey that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever struggled with similar issues.
The album's production is equally groundbreaking, with lush, layered soundscapes that create an immersive listening experience. Collaborating once again with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jackson pushes the boundaries of contemporary R&B, incorporating elements of electronic music that give the album a futuristic edge. Tracks like "Got 'Til It's Gone," featuring a memorable sample from Joni Mitchell, and the infectious "Together Again," which became a global hit, demonstrate her ability to blend genres seamlessly while maintaining her distinct voice.
But what truly sets The Velvet Rope apart is its fearless exploration of taboo subjects. Jackson addresses issues like sexuality, domestic violence, and LGBTQ+ rights with a sensitivity and understanding that was ahead of its time. Songs like "Free Xone" and "Tonight's the Night" challenge societal norms and celebrate the freedom to love and express oneself without shame or judgment.
The Velvet Rope is also a visual feast, with Jackson's iconic red hair and bold fashion choices becoming symbols of her transformation. The album's accompanying tour was a spectacle of theatricality and choreography, solidifying Janet's status as a pop icon who could not only deliver on record but also captivate audiences on stage.
In retrospect, The Velvet Rope stands as one of the most influential albums of the late 20th century. It not only solidified Janet Jackson's place in the pantheon of music legends but also paved the way for future artists to explore personal and societal issues with the same level of honesty and creativity. It's an album that continues to inspire and resonate, proving that the best art often comes from the most personal of places.
From the very first track, "Velvet Rope," Jackson invites listeners into a world of emotional complexity, addressing themes of depression, self-worth, and the search for identity. Her lyrics are raw and honest, revealing a side of Janet that had never been so openly expressed in her previous work. This is not just an album; it's an emotional journey that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever struggled with similar issues.
The album's production is equally groundbreaking, with lush, layered soundscapes that create an immersive listening experience. Collaborating once again with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jackson pushes the boundaries of contemporary R&B, incorporating elements of electronic music that give the album a futuristic edge. Tracks like "Got 'Til It's Gone," featuring a memorable sample from Joni Mitchell, and the infectious "Together Again," which became a global hit, demonstrate her ability to blend genres seamlessly while maintaining her distinct voice.
But what truly sets The Velvet Rope apart is its fearless exploration of taboo subjects. Jackson addresses issues like sexuality, domestic violence, and LGBTQ+ rights with a sensitivity and understanding that was ahead of its time. Songs like "Free Xone" and "Tonight's the Night" challenge societal norms and celebrate the freedom to love and express oneself without shame or judgment.
The Velvet Rope is also a visual feast, with Jackson's iconic red hair and bold fashion choices becoming symbols of her transformation. The album's accompanying tour was a spectacle of theatricality and choreography, solidifying Janet's status as a pop icon who could not only deliver on record but also captivate audiences on stage.
In retrospect, The Velvet Rope stands as one of the most influential albums of the late 20th century. It not only solidified Janet Jackson's place in the pantheon of music legends but also paved the way for future artists to explore personal and societal issues with the same level of honesty and creativity. It's an album that continues to inspire and resonate, proving that the best art often comes from the most personal of places.
August 28, 2020
Dozier dares to challenge those who oppose Janet, shining an otherworldly light on her innovation, genius, and soul. Using a blend of black feminist theory, publicly available interviews with Janet and parsing the album and music videos, Dozier paints a vivid picture of the singer's emotional state; her velvet rope. In the text, Dozier provides readers with a magnified insight into how Janet drew from everything from the blues to Ghanian symbols to afros to rock and in turn influenced the next generation of artists going forward. Janet was a pioneer, there's no denying it. What gave her that power was rejecting the notion of black respectability and using sex to illustrate not only her emancipation, but the roots of her soul. Dozier doesn't outright make this point but I'm pretty sure she alludes to it; Janet is a living representation of black emancipation in one of the more true senses—her emotions, searing and blazing red, are worn on her afro, she won't make herself in anyone else's image but her own.
Dozier does a fantastic job of pleading Janet's case, of loving Janet for who she is. However, some analyses feel a little far-fetched, ahem, LMP, I can appreciate them though. I'm also a little lost as to why no connection was drawn between the X in Free Xone and Malcolm X; it's so obvious! Another point I would have appreciated Dozier's insight on is how the dial-up tone and disconnection function as synthesised call and response. Dial-up sucked back then too; running with the image of basing a relationship on a frought connection that was bound to fail could have been fun.
This is personal taste, but also why I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5. Due to the academic lens this book adapts, the lack of emotion inherent to that writing style smacks you in the face. I found myself on the verge of tears time and time again reading about Janet's struggles, especially ones I could intensely relate to, but I lost my momentum when it came down to tonally dissonant analysis that read like Wikipedia in comparison. You could sense Dozier's soul in her anecdotes, but that's it. I'm not saying I wanted Dozier to turn this into a autobiographical account—as Janet has shown, you can withhold as much or as little as you want—I just wanted more vulnerable and lyrical prose. It fits the subject matter much better, for starters.
I'm excited to follow Dozier's work regardless, I just hope she infuses more of herself into her prose.
Dozier does a fantastic job of pleading Janet's case, of loving Janet for who she is. However, some analyses feel a little far-fetched, ahem, LMP, I can appreciate them though. I'm also a little lost as to why no connection was drawn between the X in Free Xone and Malcolm X; it's so obvious! Another point I would have appreciated Dozier's insight on is how the dial-up tone and disconnection function as synthesised call and response. Dial-up sucked back then too; running with the image of basing a relationship on a frought connection that was bound to fail could have been fun.
This is personal taste, but also why I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5. Due to the academic lens this book adapts, the lack of emotion inherent to that writing style smacks you in the face. I found myself on the verge of tears time and time again reading about Janet's struggles, especially ones I could intensely relate to, but I lost my momentum when it came down to tonally dissonant analysis that read like Wikipedia in comparison. You could sense Dozier's soul in her anecdotes, but that's it. I'm not saying I wanted Dozier to turn this into a autobiographical account—as Janet has shown, you can withhold as much or as little as you want—I just wanted more vulnerable and lyrical prose. It fits the subject matter much better, for starters.
I'm excited to follow Dozier's work regardless, I just hope she infuses more of herself into her prose.
August 25, 2020
Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope by Ayanna Dozier is an excellent addition to the 33 1/3 series. The combination of the author's personal history, contextualizing the album both historically and theoretically, and a rundown of the tracks make this a book that should appeal to a wide range of readers.
This album has proven to be very influential, especially for people for whom this was one of the first Jackson albums they can clearly remember. Dozier, if my understanding is correct, was 7 or 8 when it came out so the album has a larger impact on her than, say, Control or Rhythm Nation (previous albums that signaled Jackson breaking free from familial constraints and making important social commentary), which had a larger impact for older listeners. For those listeners, such as myself, The Velvet Rope was another step on the path, not a beginning of a new path.
As an aside, I love when a book mentions another book that I have recently read and makes me go back and reread it, or in this case part of it. Dozier mentions On Racial Icons from Nicole R Fleetwood, another book I highly recommend, which made me go back and reread the chapter centered on Diana Ross. I did also pull a couple other books off my shelves and looked some things up (Collins, Lorde, Berger, hooks, Walker) so this was a particularly rich read for me.
I highly recommend this to fans of Janet Jackson as well as readers who like to explore the intersection of popular culture with political and social commentary/justice.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
This album has proven to be very influential, especially for people for whom this was one of the first Jackson albums they can clearly remember. Dozier, if my understanding is correct, was 7 or 8 when it came out so the album has a larger impact on her than, say, Control or Rhythm Nation (previous albums that signaled Jackson breaking free from familial constraints and making important social commentary), which had a larger impact for older listeners. For those listeners, such as myself, The Velvet Rope was another step on the path, not a beginning of a new path.
As an aside, I love when a book mentions another book that I have recently read and makes me go back and reread it, or in this case part of it. Dozier mentions On Racial Icons from Nicole R Fleetwood, another book I highly recommend, which made me go back and reread the chapter centered on Diana Ross. I did also pull a couple other books off my shelves and looked some things up (Collins, Lorde, Berger, hooks, Walker) so this was a particularly rich read for me.
I highly recommend this to fans of Janet Jackson as well as readers who like to explore the intersection of popular culture with political and social commentary/justice.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
February 10, 2022
kinda disappointed that this takes very little time to look at the velvet rope in its entirety and focuses so much more on detailing & contextualizing individual tracks, videos etc. now i did eat up all the details & trivia & info on the album rollout/tour and on janet's life at the time, but i also feel that a lot of the time the author didn't really manage to connect that to the album itself & what it all meant in the big picture. not that it didn't give me any insight on the velvet rope as a body of work, but i wish it had more of it.
the perfect example is how it briefly makes a point, about halfway through the book, on how the space inside this "velvet rope" is janet's utopia, free from all judgement and shame & a safe space for janet & her black/queer fans. this isn't really brought up again so much in the rest of the book. to me, here dozier hit the nail on its head and perfectly summarized the album's thesis and purpose & why it resonated so much with queer & black audiences. and i really really wish this argument was more fleshed out and analyzed because it made me tear up when i read it & gave the album a new layer to me.
anyway, this was still a very interesting read as a janet fan & i kinda wish i could give it 3,5 stars because 3 does seem too low. not bad at all for my first book this year!
the perfect example is how it briefly makes a point, about halfway through the book, on how the space inside this "velvet rope" is janet's utopia, free from all judgement and shame & a safe space for janet & her black/queer fans. this isn't really brought up again so much in the rest of the book. to me, here dozier hit the nail on its head and perfectly summarized the album's thesis and purpose & why it resonated so much with queer & black audiences. and i really really wish this argument was more fleshed out and analyzed because it made me tear up when i read it & gave the album a new layer to me.
anyway, this was still a very interesting read as a janet fan & i kinda wish i could give it 3,5 stars because 3 does seem too low. not bad at all for my first book this year!
September 9, 2021
Well this brought back a lot of memories. I started the book on a plane and when I read the second half at home I stopped to put on the album, and am currently watching a YouTube of the HBO tour special (which was definitely a capital-M Moment in my teens, as was this album). This book was eye-opening not just about the album, and Janet's career, but also about where I was when this album came out and what I was or wasn't taking from it (or what was definitely flying over my still-in-the-closet-to-myself head.
July 10, 2023
Another album I knew very little about going into the book... and I'm down for any musical discussion that ties feminist and queer theory with critical analysis of societal control of (specifically black) women's bodies and right of expression, as well as video production and symbolism. All art fits into a larger social construct, and good art is often subversive and provocative. And with Janet's life arc, there was a lot to subvert and provoke, since she was often treated unfairly, discounted, and antagonistically rejected.
October 2, 2022
The writing was concise, and there's a lot of exploration of Janet's psyche and how that evolved through the release of the Velvet Rope. I think there's just perhaps a little too much reliance on singles and the release itself, whereas I wouldn't have minded a sort of socio-political bent evolving, as that seems to be the meat and potatoes of where the author was going. That said, some things about Janet I might not have noticed being only a moderate fan/listener.
January 18, 2022
What a wonderful homage to a beautiful album. I spent a lot of time with this album when it came out and while I had a different experience with this album than Ayanna Dozier, it truly shows the connection of music and how Janet spoke to so many people. I’m super curious to hear the author’s thoughts about Janet’s later releases!!
August 21, 2022
Interesting to delve deeper into the themes of this amazing album, but the language used was far more complex/inaccessible than necessary. There was also some ideas that felt like they were a bit of a stretch.
February 3, 2022
such an important and liberating analysis
Read
April 8, 2022Picked this up without thinking twice.
A great, in-depth look at the entire Velvet Rope era, from the lead-up, to the tour.
Very cool series—excited to read the Archandroid one.
A great, in-depth look at the entire Velvet Rope era, from the lead-up, to the tour.
Very cool series—excited to read the Archandroid one.
April 2, 2023
Needs a tighter copy edit, but aside from that it smells of cultural studies ('space', 'bodies', all the usual cultural theorists). Worthy but not worth reading.
May 24, 2023
Can’t write review here because book report and turn it in sucks ass #lame
January 12, 2025
I only read it up to p. 68;
I love the album "The Velvet Rope", but this book isn't so much about the music, it's more an abstract black-feminist analysis of it's themes.
I love the album "The Velvet Rope", but this book isn't so much about the music, it's more an abstract black-feminist analysis of it's themes.
February 21, 2025
Janet 4 Eva
March 13, 2025
This album means so much to me and I am so grateful for this book!
April 10, 2025
Interesting elements but really struggled with the sometimes heavily academic prose, and not being very familiar with the material, possibly a me problem.
December 24, 2023
a great book about my fave album of all time!
July 30, 2022
I cannot overstate the importance of Janet openly mourning friends lost to complications from HIV/AIDS in 1997. Her mourning was contextualized as a loss from the virus at a time in which family members were still silencing loved ones lost to the virus by omitting their struggle after one's death. By taking this mourning song public, she was not only sharing her grief but making their deaths socially available to a larger public as opposed to one that remained hidden and silenced. There was no shame to be had in "Together Again," just joy and a declaration for freedom from being condemned to live without the right to a life.
October 5, 2024
Decent overall, if a bit overwrought and repetitive. Also she spelt Timbaland like "Timberland" which was weird. Still, I'd recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews