Damita Jo (album) – 2004
Damita Jo is the eighth studio album by American recording artist Janet Jackson. It was released on March 30, 2004, by Virgin Records. The album takes its title from Jackson’s middle name. Its music incorporates rock, electro, house, and hip hop styles, in addition to dance-pop and R&B. Its concept is based on Jackson’s alternate personalities; exploring themes involving intimacy, monogamy, love, and dance. Its production is derived from producers including Dallas Austin, Cathy Dennis, Scott Storch, BAG & Arnthor, Rich Harrison, Télépopmusik, Just Blaze, and Kanye West; in addition to Jackson and Jam & Lewis.
Recorded over eighteen months, it was the longest Jackson spent on a project. Jackson sought to find producers who identified with her emotions, intending “hard-hitting dance music”. Producers declared it “a really sexy record” which was bold, fun, and positive. Multiple personae portrayed include the obstinate “Damita Jo” and lascivious “Strawberry”. Jackson stated they were “another way to express and expose a deeper part of me,” comparing her writing process to that of a novelist; inventing characters with independent personalities. Jackson claimed the aforementioned characters “absolutely” live inside of her, stating it “feels wonderful” to release them.
Prior to its completion, Jackson performed a medley of hits at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show. The performance ended in Jackson’s breast being exposed by surprise guest Justin Timberlake.
The album spawned three commercial singles: the rock-fused “Just a Little While”, classic R&B ballad “I Want You”, and electropop and funk influenced “All Nite (Don’t Stop)”. Due to blacklisting affecting its overall performance, the album has been considered underrated by music journalists in retrospect.
Track listing
No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length
1. “Looking for Love (Intro)”
Janet Jackson David Ritz Fabrice Dumont Christophe Hetier Stephan Haeri
Télépopmusik Jackson Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
1:29
2. “Damita Jo”
Jackson James Harris III Terry Lewis Bobby Ross Avila Issiah J. Avila
Jam & Lewis Jackson Avila Brothers
2:46
3. “Sexhibition”
Dallas Austin Gregory “Ruckus” Andres
Austin 2:29
4. “Strawberry Bounce”
Jackson Kanye West Harris Lewis Tony “Prof-T” Tolbert Irving Lorenzo Shawn Carter Amil Whitehead Jeffrey Atkins Robin Mays
West Jackson Jam & Lewis
3:11
5. “My Baby” (featuring Kanye West)
Jackson West Sean Garrett Joni-Ayanna Portee
West Jackson Jam & Lewis
4:17
6. “The Islands (Interlude)”
Jackson Harris Lewis
Jam & Lewis Jackson
0:39
7. “Spending Time with You”
Jackson Harris Lewis B. R. Avila* Iz*
Jam & Lewis Jackson Avila Brothers
4:14
8. “Magic Hour (Interlude)”
Jackson Harris Lewis
Jam & Lewis Jackson
0:23
9. “Island Life”
Jackson Scott Storch Cathy Dennis
Storch Jackson Jam & Lewis
3:53
10. “All Nite (Don’t Stop)”
Jackson Harris Lewis Tolbert Anders Bagge Arnthor Birgisson Herbie Hancock Paul Jackson Melvin Ragin
BAG & Arnthor Jackson
3:26
11. “R&B Junkie”
Jackson Harris Lewis Tolbert Michael Jones Nicholas Trevisick
Jam & Lewis Jackson
3:11
12. “I Want You”
West John Legend Harold Lilly Burt Bacharach Hal David
West Jackson Jam & Lewis
3:57
13. “Like You Don’t Love Me”
Jackson Harris Lewis B. R. Avila* Iz*
Jam & Lewis Jackson Avila Brothers
3:31
14. “Thinkin’ Bout My Ex”
Babyface Tanya White Andy Cramer
Babyface
4:36
15. “Warmth”
Jackson Harris Lewis
Jam & Lewis Jackson
3:44
16. “Moist”
Jackson Harris Lewis B. R. Avila Iz Tolbert
Jam & Lewis Jackson Avila Brothers
4:54
17. “It All Comes Down to Love (Interlude)”
Jackson Harris Lewis
Jam & Lewis Jackson
0:39
18. “Truly”
Jackson Harris Lewis
Jam & Lewis Jackson
3:59
19. “The One (Interlude)”
Jackson Ritz Harris Lewis
Télépopmusik Jackson Jam & Lewis
1:02
20. “SloLove”
Jackson Shelly Poole Tommy Danvers Bagge Birgisson
BAG & Arnthor Jackson
3:44
21. “Country (Interlude)”
Jackson Harris Lewis
Jam & Lewis Jackson
0:31
22. “Just a Little While”
Jackson Austin
Austin