Damita Jo Review

Damita Jo was an album released by Janet Jackson on March 30, 2004 on Virgin Records.

Released during the hectic period where the singer had generated heat for her Super Bowl fallout earlier in the month and the mega-success of Usher, who had released his Confessions the previous week, Damita Jo was considered a major sales disappointment compared to Jackson's previous efforts. The majority of reviews were somewhat negative, with critics critiquing either the controversy over the Super Bowl or comparing it to some of the songs (which were composed well before she performed there). Still, some called it another great album in Jackson's tank.

Despite the fact that the singles released were virtually ignored by pop radio (an odd absence considering Jackson's pop-friendly appeal) and aimed heavily on urban radio, Jackson found success mostly on R&B and club charts reaching #18 on the R&B charts with her Motown/Supremes-inspired ballad, the Kanye West-assisted "I Want You" while the Prince-inspired "Just a Little While" and funk danceable number, "All Nite (Don't Stop)" reached #1 on Billboard's dance singles chart. The former has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA as is the album. A fourth song, "R&B Junkie", was a R&B radio hit.

Another notch of success for the album came with Grammy Award nominations, including one for the album, for Best Contemporary R&B Album. It was only the third time any of Jackson's albums had been nominated for any category for Album of the Year (Control was nominated for Album of the Year while All For You had been up for Pop Vocal Album). In addition, Janet was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, for the song I Want You.