NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ VIBE Magazine) - Coming off the heels of releasing her 10th studio album, Discipline, on Tuesday, International Megastar
Janet Jackson will appear on the cover of VIBE Magazine's April 2008 issue. The cover story - on newsstands March 4th - will feature spectacular images of the pop icon for the magazine's 'first-ever' Photo Issue.
Nearly 100 photographers contributed their work to this special issue celebrating different eras in photography. From polaroids to digital cameras, this month's VIBE takes a journey through hip hop as seen through the camera's lens.
In this month's cover story, Janet speaks one-on-one with Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith about her music, her influences growing up, and her relationship with super-producer Jermaine Dupri. "We worked together and became friends," she says of her longtime love. "Aside from being amazing, it was the things he'd shared with me. The kinds of things I'd never share with anyone ... Not bad - just so far left."
Shot in January by renowned fashion photographer Michelangelo di Battista at New York City's Milk Studios, the magazine's exclusive photos show a glamorous Janet in Balenciaga, Vera Wang, and Dolce & Gabanna.
This month's issue will feature a special double cover with two unique cover photos. One cover will be on newsstands while a limited-edition version will be sold only at bookstores and specialty magazine shops.
Janet talks about her musical influences: "My influence came from my family. And I used to listen to ... all the classics. But was there a major influence, someone whom I studied? No."
Janet talks about working with a new group of producers on her latest project: "I listened to the songs and I immediately fell in love with them. This sounds like something Jimmy and I would do ... this sounds like something from a past album, so it's still me."
Janet on growing up in her household: "I remember being a kid and they'd come over ... you take so much for granted.... you're not thinking about the fact that it's Marvin Gaye over all the time, or Diane or Smokey."
Janet expresses her feelings about Jermaine Dupri: "Married or not, it's not important ... I feel like it's it .... It's been about eight years. He's just a sweetheart. Truly a good-hearted person."
Janet on being a responsible child in the entertainment business: "One of the major things was my work ethic, since I was a kid ... I never had my mother wake me up ... I'd get myself up everyday. It never struck me ... that's a lot of difficulty for a 10-year-old ... I don't know if it's something in the genes, or from watching my brothers, seeing them working hard."
Janet's answer when asked 'if everything was more fun when she was younger': "No ... It's still fun."
In celebration of VIBE's "first-ever" Photo Issue, producer Jermaine Dupri and actor/comedian Mike Epps offer an up-close and personal look at their own personal photo collections. From candid behind-the-scenes shots to private family flicks, readers will get to see these celebrities like they've never seen them before.
This month's VIBE also takes a closer look at the recent trials and triumphs of hip hop superstar Busta Rhymes. His explosive performance skills have kept him close to the center of hip hop for almost two decades, but close friends of the artist are now voicing concerns as Busta faces mounting police pressures and criminal charges.
