Category: News

Janet will be joined by sisters LaToya and Rebbie at her concert tonight in the Bahamas. In addition to her siblings, Janet will also be accompanied by mother Katherine according to USA Today. The list of celebrities expected at Janet’s mini concert is long. They include Liv Tyler and father Steven Tyler, Kelsey Grammer, Chris Evans, Jason Lewis, Bo Derek and boyfriend John Corbett, John Legend and Roberta Flack.

In an interview with MTV, Jermaine Dupri has hinted that Janet will make the switch to his new label Island Records. He also confirms that Janet will appear on the Rush Hour 3 soundtrack and that one of the first singles off the album will be a Janet track.

Jermaine Dupri Says Janet Will Switch Labels, Be On ‘Rush Hour 3’ LP
Dupri, head of urban music at Island Def Jam, says his girlfriend is in talks to join the label.

By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Yasmine Richard

In February, Island Def Jam Chairman L.A. Reid brought Jermaine Dupri over to Island to be president of urban music, and now it looks as if JD’s girlfriend, Janet Jackson, is not too far behind. The longtime Virgin Records artist has been in talks to switch label homes.

“Definitely Janet will end up at Island,” Dupri told MTV News recently. “That’s without a doubt. L.A. always wanted to sign her regardless [of whether] I was there or not. I don’t know where that deal is — I left that in the hands of L.A. and Janet’s people — but more than likely, he’ll get what he wants.”

Whether or not the deal is completed, Jackson will put out a song this summer. Dupri just finished a deal for his company to release the “Rush Hour 3” soundtrack (the first two soundtracks were released on Island during its old regime).

“Janet will have one of the first singles off the album,” he said. “Bow Wow will be on the soundtrack. A couple usual suspects should pop up on the soundtrack, but I want it to be something unique [to] incorporate the new [Island Def Jam] family I’m with. I’mma see what Luda’s doing, what Jay is doing. I’mma see if I can get some records from people.”

Dupri’s position at Island follows a less-than-eventful run as president of urban music at Virgin. He blames a lack of corporate support for his departure.

“With me being the president, I bring back the urban side of Island so that Island and Def Jam can be two separate record companies,” he explained. “Jay-Z’s at Def Jam, I’m at Island. L.A. sits in the middle and makes sure we do what we supposed to do as well as pump us up with ideas. I’m a musician, and I’m 100 percent into making music. I’m behind the music, and I like being around people that’s behind the music. Virgin Records is not behind the music. They weren’t when I was there, and I still don’t think they are behind the music. If you’re gonna be in the music business, you should be around people who are about the music.”

A spokesperson for Virgin didn’t respond to requests for comment by press time about Jackson’s status with the label or Dupri’s departure.

Other than the “Rush Hour” soundtrack, Dupri already has a full plate of releases coming out of his company. He’s producing an album of ballads for Jagged Edge and Mariah Carey is in the studio and is expected to put out an LP sometime this year, as is Dupri’s new MC, Hot Dollar.

In an interview with the LA Daily News, Tyler Perry has confirmed that Janet will play a part in the “Why Did I Get Married?” soundtrack. He also talks about Janet’s role. “She’s playing a college professor — actually, an author and professor of psychology,” Perry says. “I can’t wait for people to see her like this.”

Janet-Jackson.com has added new features to its site including posters, stickers, AIM icons and more. Check them out at www.janet-jackson.com.

Nelly is desperate to put together a duet with Janet and Mariah. In an interview with MTV.com, Jermaine Dupri said: “Nelly’s got a crazy collaboration he’s trying to put together, which is him, Janet and Mariah Carey all on one song. That’s what he wants. If he could convince them to do it, it would be crazy. He wants Janet to rap a 16-bar verse, he wants Mariah to sing the hook and he’s gonna do two verses. He has it all planned out. You ask him about it! This is what he wants; he’s 100-percent deadlocked into it.” Read more at MTV.com.

In a message posted on her official website, Janet-Jackson.com, Janet has confirmed that she will be visiting London for an event soon – as yet unconfirmed as to what it’ll be. She also confirmed that she will be performing a special one-off concert at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas on May 11th.

How r u?

Its been more than too long since we’ve spoken? How is your life going? All is well with me. There’s so much to update u on. Where do I start?

Well, I just finished filming the new Tyler Perry movie, “Why Did I Get Married?” It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on a film.

Its an ensemble cast that includes Richard T. Jones, Jill Scott, Malik Yoba, Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Sharon Leal and Tyler Perry – who wrote, produced and directed the movie. I play an educated author & psychologist who writes about love, marriage and relationships and counsels as well. Its a great departure 4 me from my other roles and I can’t wait for u to see the movie when it opens later this year.

Have you seen my Vibe Vixen cover? I LOVE it! The story was great and I love the photos the fabulous Ruven Afanador shot. I’m also on the cover of famed photographer Michel Haddi’s new magazine, Sly & Chic. We shot it in the Hollywood Hills a few months ago – real classic Hollywood style – a totally different look. The magazine should be on stands in the states in a couple of weeks – I hope u like it.

On the music side, I’ve been in crazy rehearsals preparing for my performance at the Atlantis – Phase III opening on May 11th. I’m performing a mini concert and planning to enjoy the Bahamas with the kids. Then I’m off to Europe to do an event in Cannes and London.

I hope you are preparing to have a great summer and I promise to keep in better touch.

Miss u!
Luv,
Janet