The Velvet Rope: 20 Years Later - A Retrospective Review

It has been 20 years since Janet Jackson shocked the public with the release of her controversial sixth studio album. At the time, Janet had proven that she was an unstoppable force in the music industry, thanks to well over a dozen consecutive international hit singles - Janet made a name for herself and had finally left the massive shadow that was her brother. The album debuted atop the Billboard Top 200 and went on to be one of the best-selling albums of the nineties, with nearly four million copies sold in the US alone.

Janet flaunted a new look (vibrant red hair, piercings, and tattoos) and opened up to the public about her insecurities and the rough times throughout her life in the spotlight. The Velvet Rope, much like its predecessors was a concept album, in the way that Rhythm Nation 1814 was about social injustice and her self-titled album was about her sexuality. This time, talked about depression, domestic abuse, homophobia, AIDS, body dysmorphia, the internet, and sex.

The album has fifteen tracks (and one hidden track) and seven interludes. From the opening interlude "Twisted Elegance", where Janet creates the atmosphere of the album and invites the listener to enter her velvet rope. And presents the idea that "we all have the need to feel special, and this need can bring out the best in us - yet the worst in us". To the final track "Special", where Janet talks to her younger self - that the pain that she is feeling (during her childhood) doesn't last forever. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet's longtime production collaborators helped Janet craft some of the most experimental, innovative, and recognizable beats of their time. In fact, the album still holds up marvelously today both in terms of sonic production and messages.

Although the album released six singles, two were commercially available in the United States, those being "Together Again" and "I Get Lonely", both of which peaked in the top 3, with "Together Again" peaking at number one for a number of weeks. Internationally, The Velvet Rope was a major commercial success, peaking in the top 10 in most countries. The singles that were not commercially available in the United States fared better in European territories.

In the end, Janet Jackson cemented her legacy by crafting a silky and experimental - deeply personal album. The album discusses topics that were taboo (especially for the time), Janet broke down barriers - and did all of this effortlessly.

Celebrate 20 Years of The Velvet Rope

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