Janet Jackson - Discipline

Worldwide 100 million-selling megastar Janet Jackson returns in a massive way with her new album Discipline, the 10^th studio album (and overall 13^th album) of Jackson’s career. 

Janet discusses the unlikely topic of Discipline, the title of her new album, the reason it was titled as such and the impact Discipline has had in her life.

“Discipline has been much on my mind,” she says. “It’s the idea that unifies the songs on this record. As a concept, and even a lifestyle, discipline goes extremely deep. It can be applied to so much about ourselves. In my case, I see it as one of defining aspects of my character. Discipline was there for me from the start. But it was not until this record that I began to understand its full meaning.

In addition to Rodney Jerkins, who produced the albums debut single, “Feedback,” the new album brings together an A-list of guest producers, including Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Stargate, Tricky Stewart, and The-Dream. 

“In putting Discipline out front-- as both the title of the album and title of a song about sexual surrender--I wanted to announce that I was venturing into new creative waters. That meant working with producers like Jermaine Dupri, Rodney Jerkins, and Ne-Yo, whose songs spoke to the immediacy of my emotions. Like all my records, this one, whether intentional or not, has autobiographical roots. It’s difficult for me to work any other way. I don’t feel it, if I don’t believe it, I can’t sing it.

“I also believe that discipline has given me the confidence to jump out of the nest. I wanted to push the envelope. And I’m glad that `Discipline,’ both as a song and an album, does just that.

“`Feedback,’ is a different metaphor that also explores sexual tension. It’s a provocative conversation that invites openness in an area where so many of us are closed off. The same could be said for Rodney’s “Roller Coaster,” a musical ride that reflects that up and downs of romantic/physical agitation and excitement.”

“So Discipline, as a storyline, begins in my childhood which someone could see as a classic study in discipline. Discipline was part of a family culture that I absorbed. I was born with it.

When asked how her concept of discipline has changed over the years, it’s obvious that this is something inherent in her personality, and a part of her life since a young age.

“Well, I guess if I go back to the beginning I see a little girl, 10-years-old, who’s appearing on `Good Times’ and sets her own alarm clock to wake up at 5:30 AM in order to be at work by 7. Then I think about a 15-year-old starting to make records. For the next 25 years, she makes an album every two or three years without fail. Going a little deeper, she learns that the music most connected to her heart has a rhythmic and harmonic complexity that requires work. That means hours and hours trying to compose lyrics and melodies that ring true; hours and hours in the studio layering the vocals that contain the different voices she hears inside her head. Then, of course, the months she spends planning and executing world tours, one after another.”

And does that artist see discipline as a burden?
“No, I see it as a blessing,” Janet is quick to say. “As a child, I took it for granted. That’s who I was. As a teenager, I wanted to sing and dance. I realized that required concentration. I wanted to reach people, and I had the good sense to see that couldn’t happen if my skills weren’t crafted with precision. But as I came to adulthood, I was hard on myself. Discipline is one thing; perfectionism is another. Perfectionism is a kind of punishment. It leads to permanent dissatisfaction and heartbreak. It’s wonderful to strive for excellence, but demanding perfection only leads to heartache and frustration. It took me years to learn that difficult lesson. But in finally learning it, I now see discipline in a new light.”

“The album expresses what I need to express at this moment of my life,” she says. “It says that discipline, rather than being a problem, can bring pleasure. Discipline is a key to freedom. Discipline allows me—allows all of us—to focus. And the focus must be on thoughts and feelings that nourish our physical and spiritual lives.

“Funny, but my first big album also had a one-word title—Control. I was naïve in thinking that I could control every aspect of my life. The only one who really has control is God. But it took discipline—the discipline of thought, the discipline of action, the discipline of creating music—to make me see that. Finally, discipline has to do with faith. I have faith that a gentle but steady discipline will let me continue to grow as an artist and a woman.”

 The album is fun, fresh, but also collaboratively and artistically refined. The sounds are hard-hitting, the lyrics well written but in many songs the music takes centre stage. A great variety that will have your listening over and over.

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