Jermaine Dupri Won't Work With Janet Jackson Again Because Of Fans' Criticism

BY Erika Marie 22.0K Views
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Jermaine Dupri, Janet Jackson
While they were dating, Jermaine Dupri helped produce Janet Jackson's ninth studio album—a record that not all critics were fond of.

People were perplexed when the Atlanta hip hop producer and the soft-spoken music icon got together, but the romance between Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson was real. The pair of superstars were in a relationship for seven years between 2002 to 2009, and as expected, the lovers even worked in the studio together. Janet's ninth studio album 20 Y.O., released in 2006, had heavy involvement from Dupri, Johnta Austin, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and many others. The record was criticized and received mixed reviews, and fans didn't hold back when targeting Jermaine Dupri about the album.

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Page Six caught up with the So So Def icon and asked him if there was a possibility that he would reunite, musically that is, with his famous ex. He made it clear that a collaboration involving himself and Janet was something that people shouldn't wait on. “The only reason I say that is because I feel cheated in a way from the 20 Y.O. album that I did... a lot of people discredit me for that album. It has nothing to do with me and her." 

“I saw a lot of fans say, ‘JD messed her career up with that album,' he continued. "That album almost sold 400,000 copies in its first week and produced a No. 1 hit. I don’t know why that’s not a success." 20 Y.O. was crafted to commemorate Janet Jackson's Control, the album that launched the singer's career into new heights, and hosted features from Nelly and Khia.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.