Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope

The book explores Janet Jackson's sixth album, The Velvet Rope, as an emancipatory act of self-creation that allows her to reconcile with and heal from trauma, pain, and feelings of alienation. It addresses how her quest for control is an existential question about the desire to control and be in control over her bodily integrity as a Black woman. The album's sexually charged content and themes of abuse were dismissed as "selling points" at the time of its release, but it stands out as a revelatory expression of emotional vulnerability by the singer.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 03 September 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

The pursuit of control for Black women is a challenging and costly endeavor. Since 1986, Janet Jackson's career has been characterized by her unwavering desire for control. This control extended beyond her desire for economic and creative autonomy, as it became an existential quest to assert control over her bodily integrity as a Black woman. This book delves into Janet's ongoing pursuit of control, as evident in her sixth album, The Velvet Rope. By examining the album, its promotion, tour, and accompanying music videos, this study explores how Janet harnesses Black cultural production as an emancipatory act of self-creation. Through this process, she is able to reconcile with and potentially heal from trauma, pain, and feelings of alienation.

The Velvet Rope album invites audiences to envision the possibilities of emancipation from oppression, encompassing sexual, internal, and societal realms. At the time of its release, the album's sexually charged content and themes of abuse, including self-harm and domestic violence, were met with dismissals as mere "selling points" for Janet. However, the album stands as a groundbreaking expression of emotional vulnerability by the singer, a sentiment that has been replicated by numerous artists in the decades following its release.

Janet's unwavering commitment to control has shaped her career and resonated with her fans worldwide. Her ability to harness Black cultural production as a tool for self-expression and healing has made her a trailblazer in the music industry. The Velvet Rope continues to be celebrated for its boldness, honesty, and emotional depth, cementing Janet Jackson's place as a legendary artist who has left an indelible mark on the world of music.

Weight: 154g
Dimension: 118 x 164 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501355028