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''Janet'' (stylized as ''janet.'') is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Janet Jackson, released on May 18, 1993, by Virgin Records. Prior to its release, Jackson was at the center of a high-profile bidding war over her recording contract. In 1991, her original label A&M sought to renew her contract, while others, such as Atlantic, Capitol, and Virgin all vied to sign her. After meeting with Virgin owner Richard Branson, she signed with the label for a $40 million contract, making her the world's then-highest paid musical act. Criticism that her success in the music industry was attributed to being a member of the Jackson family and producer-dependent artist prompted her to take greater creative control of her new album. Its title, read "Janet, period.", is meant to disassociate her public image from her family, dropping the Jackson surname. She wrote all lyrics for the album, in addition to co-producing every song and co-writing each of their arrangements with record producers and long-time collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. While the use of contemporary R&B and rap had been standard in her music, she broadened her compositions by incorporating hip hop, opera, house and jazz, eliminating the rigid, industrial sound found in her previous records. Although considered to be less innovative than previous releases, critical reception was predominately positive. In light of the fact that she composed much of the album's material and took a greater role as producer, ''Janet'' has been credited as a truer testament of her independence than ''Control'' (1986). While she had once garnered a reputation as an advocate for sexual abstinence with her 1986 single "Let's Wait Awhile", the theme of ''Janet'' is sexual intimacy—an abrupt departure from her well-known conservative image. Much of the acclaim for the album was centered on her lyrics that emphasized the female perspective on sexuality, as well as the demand for practicing safe sex. The album debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 with the largest first week sales in history for a female artist at the time. It became Jackson's third consecutive album to top the chart, as well as reaching the number one position in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Certified sixfold platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), it sold over 20 million copies worldwide, and is one of the world's best-selling albums. It cemented her as an international icon and sex symbol, and is listed by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 200 Definitive Albums of All Time. ''Janet'' produced six top ten hits on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 singles chart. "That's the Way Love Goes" became her most successful single in the United States, staying atop the Hot 100 for eight weeks, as well as topping the singles charts in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It received two Grammy Award nominations in 1994, winning Best R&B Song. Her ballad "Again"—written for the 1993 feature film ''Poetic Justice''—also topped the Hot 100 and garnered nominations for the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song. Academics have noted that the erotic imagery in her music videos released to promote the album's singles have contributed to a higher degree of sexual freedom among women. The MTV-sponsored Janet World Tour supporting the album received critical acclaim for Jackson's elaborate stage performances, reinforcing her reputation as one of the preeminent artists of the MTV generation. ==Background== Rumors of a multi-million dollar bidding war over Jackson's recording contract began to circulate in spring 1991. ''Jet'' magazine reported: "A recording company has offered in excess of $50 million to sign superstar Janet Jackson to a recording contract, making the 24-year-old singer/songwriter/dancer/actress the key player in one of the hottest bidding wars among today's major record companies." Reports indicated that Capitol, Virgin and Atlantic were all bidding for Jackson's contract, as her ties to A&M would soon expire; by March, she had signed with Virgin. ''The New York Times'' declared "Janet Jackson has signed what is believed to be the most lucrative contract in the history of recording. The 24-year-old singer, songwriter and actress signed an exclusive contract with Virgin Records it was announced yesterday." Her new contract guaranteed a twenty-two percent royalty payment, in addition to her then-historic signing bonus. Chuck Philips of the ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that it had been the largest bidding war in recent memory and that "()ne reason the bidding was so heavy, various industry observers have noted, was that Jackson-at just 24-is still a relatively fresh face on the pop scene and that her dance-pop style is ideal for today's pop/video climate." In addition, her potential as an international superstar proved to be the primary motivation for the label's investment. Jeff Ayeroff, co-managing director of Virgin in the US stated: "Janet is a world-class artist and we expect her growth to be enormous."〔 Chairman Richard Branson spoke with Jackson privately to seal the deal. He commented: "A Rembrandt rarely becomes available... When it does, there are many people who are determined to get it. I was determined."〔 Stephen Holden of ''The New York Times'' criticized the contract amount, considering it a gamble for Virgin. He stated that Jackson "is a producer-dependent artist—i.e., someone who relies on others to make her sound interesting and trendy. She also lacks a sharply defined personality, both as an artist and celebrity. Where singers like Ms. Houston and Mariah Carey have commanding vocal power, Ms. Jackson's is a relatively indistinguishable studio voice." Richard Branson rebutted this argument stating "Ms. Jackson has met with great success working with the production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, just as her brother Michael Jackson has experienced his greatest successes with the producer Quincy Jones. It is interesting that Mr. Holden doesn't mention this similar 'liability' when discussing Michael Jackson. To say that Ms. Jackson is 'dependent' on her producer is a shortsighted observation. She is a formidable talent who stands on her own." Michael Jackson would break his sister's record only days later, when he signed a $60 million contract with Sony Music Entertainment. Both sibling's contracts garnered considerable criticism. ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that "A&M Records President Al Cafaro, whose company lost the fierce bidding battle over Janet Jackson to Virgin Records, said record companies may be vesting too much importance in individual performers" as the funds used as advances to the Jacksons could have launched recording careers for numerous unknown talents. Cliff Burnstein of Q-Prime management commented that recording artists demands for advances upon signing would begin to escalate from that point forward.〔 Prior to her first release with Virgin, Jackson was asked by Jam and Lewis to record a song for the sound track to the feature film ''Mo' Money'', released in 1992 by their label Perspective Records. Jon Bream of the ''Star Tribune'' reported: "For most movie soundtracks, producers negotiate with record companies, managers and lawyers for the services of big-name singers. Like the Hollywood outsiders that they are, Edina-based Jam and Lewis went directly to such stars as Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross, Bell Biv Devoe, Color Me Badd and Johnny Gill." Jackson and Vandross recorded the duet "The Best Things in Life Are Free", which peaked at number 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B Singles chart. Shortly afterward, Jackson began filming for her first feature length role in John Singleton's ''Poetic Justice''. Although she was encouraged by a major studio executive to take on a film in which she could portray a singer, she insisted on finding a different role. She explained: "About that same time John Singleton asked me to read his new script. John and I became buddies—I loved Boyz N the Hood—so I thought he was just asking my advice. I was shocked and honored to learn the screenplay had been written with me in mind. 'Would you play Justice?' he wanted to know. Yes! I'd finally found a role—a dramatic nonsinging role—that was right." Released in July 1993, ''Poetic Justice'' debuted at number one at the box office, grossing $11,728,455; it grossed a grand total of $27,515,786. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Janet (album)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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