20 Years of Janet Jackson's 'Damita Jo'

Honoring two decades of Janet Jackson's eighth studio album with a special tribute to its legacy.

Courtesy of Virgin Records America, Inc.

In recent years, Janet Jackson’s musical oeuvre has undergone a profound reassessment, spurred in part by the vigorous advocacy of social media. Among her diverse catalog, the album Damita Jo stands out as a singular work that has often been overlooked by audiences and dismissed by critics. Yet, this album, which marked the beginning of a series of commercial setbacks for the artist, warrants a closer examination, not merely as a superficial act of reparation but as a groundbreaking exploration of sexuality within the context of mainstream popular music.

Inspired by Jackson’s budding romance with producer Jermaine Dupri, Damita Jo delves into the integral role that physical intimacy plays in the early stages of a relationship, a fundamental truth that is often glossed over in the sanitized depictions of young love prevalent in popular culture. Through her candid and unapologetic approach to the subject matter, Jackson challenged the deep-seated puritanical attitudes that permeate American society, presenting a vision of sexuality untethered from the burdens of shame and consequence. While the album’s mid-tempo R&B sound, characteristic of the era, may not have swayed detractors who dismissed it as another entry in a genre saturated with sensual slow jams, Jackson’s unwavering commitment to her artistic vision sets Damita Jo apart.

Throughout the album, Jackson navigates the multifaceted nature of desire, from the clandestine encounters in dimly lit corners of nightclubs to the euphemistic language reminiscent of classic Hollywood romances. Her lyrics eschew the objectification of her partners, instead focusing on the inherent passion and pleasure of the act itself. This approach reaches its apex in the daring “Warmth” and “Moist,” a pair of tracks that celebrate the reciprocal nature of oral sex and the fluidity of roles in the pursuit of mutual gratification. By subverting traditional gender expectations, Jackson asserts her identity as a self-assured power bottom, unapologetic in her desires.

What sets Damita Jo apart from other mainstream erotic works is its rejection of the tropes of darkness and shame that often permeate such material, particularly when authored by black women. The album’s vibrant, breezy tone, evocative of sun-drenched island getaways, stands in stark contrast to the prevailing narrative of sexual guilt and repression. The cover art, featuring Jackson’s radiant smile, recalls the unabashed joy and liberation of Tom of Finland’s homoerotic illustrations, a testament to the transformative power of embracing one’s sexuality without judgment or reservation.

Despite Jackson’s unapologetic stance, Damita Jo faced a barrage of criticism from predominantly male reviewers who found the album’s sexual content either desperate, overwrought, or juvenile in its wordplay. While the album’s thematic specificity may have contributed to this perception, with tracks like “R&B Junkie” relying heavily on references to classic dance moves and songs, Jackson’s unwavering commitment to her artistic vision remains admirable.

Central to Damita Jo’s conceit was introducing two alter egos, the carefree Damita Jo and the insatiable Strawberry, intended to showcase previously unseen facets of Jackson’s personality. While these characters may have been thinly developed, their presence adds to Jackson’s determination to maintain control over her narrative, even if leaving her audience with more questions than answers. For an artist who fiercely guarded her privacy, even concealing her nine-year marriage until its dissolution, the use of masks and personas becomes an act of self-preservation, shielding her innermost self from the scrutiny of the public eye.

What ultimately redeems Damita Jo is Jackson’s captivating performance, which transcends the limitations of her vocal range through sheer charisma and conviction. Her elegant phrasing and playful intonation, encompassing a spectrum of soft, sensual sounds, imbue each track with intimacy and vulnerability. Though her voice may lack the raw power typically associated with technical prowess, Jackson’s ability to convey emotion and connect with her audience proves her presence’s artistry and transformative nature.

While Damita Jo’s commercial performance may have been lackluster, with none of its singles cracking the Top 40 in the United States, the absence of breakout hits allows the album to be experienced as a cohesive statement, free from the baggage of cultural associations. The coincidence of Jackson’s commercial decline with an album that celebrated her status as a sexual being, unencumbered by the trappings of celebrity, lends the work a sense of poetic justice. The album’s explicit humanity, both in its thematic content and Jackson’s heartfelt delivery, ultimately validates the exploration of sexuality as an integral part of the human experience rather than a cynical marketing ploy.

In the interludes that punctuate the album, Jackson muses on the simple pleasures of life—the humidity, the beauty of Anguilla, the magic of dusk, and the power of music—reminding us that the essence of existence often lies in the details others might overlook. Damita Jo, with its radiant smile and unabashed celebration of desire, is the courage to bare one’s soul, flaws and all, to a world that may not always be ready to embrace. While the majority may have disregarded this daring work, those who took the time to listen and understand its message have been enriched by the experience, a reminder that true art often transcends the boundaries of popular acclaim.