It’s shocking to think a whole ten years have passed since Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake‘s ‘Super Bowl ’04′ showing changed the face of the music industry forever.
Even more surprising, though, is the fact that the split-second that came to be known as “nipplegate” would alter the course of Jackson’s otherwise iconic career, while bizarrely (and unfairly) enhancing Timberlake’s.
Indeed, while industry big wigs ensured the ‘Suit & Tie’ crooner star soared to dizzying heights, it was the Queen of Pop who was left to bear the brunt of the backlash, one that carried very real ramifications – both personally and commercially.
Beyond being branded all but a Jezebel by the media, the singer was blamed by many as the sole cause of the $550,000 fine the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) handed to Super Bowl broadcaster CBS – figure that was a record at the time.
The FCC then increased the fine per indecency violation from $27,500 to $325,000 shortly after the event.
Adding salt to the controversial wound, the NFL announced that MTV (who produced the showing) would never be involved in another halftime show again.
However, in a major development ten years later, Michael Powell - who served as the FCC chairman at the time of the performance – admits that both his reaction and that of the masses were completely overblown.
In a must-read interview with ESPN, Powell denounces his own claims that the wardrobe malfunction represented ”a new low for prime-time TV”.
Excerpts below…
Via DM:
“I think we’ve been removed from this long enough for me to tell you that I had to put my best version of outrage on that I could put on.
Part of it was surreal, right? Look, I think it was dumb to happen, and they knew the rules and were flirting with them, and my job is to enforce the rules, but, you know, really? This is what we’re gonna do?’
Powell also said the treatment of Jackson and Timberlake – who were lambasted for causing ‘an outrageous stunt’ – was unfair.
‘I personally thought that was really unfair,’ he said.
‘It all turned into being about her. In reality, if you slow the thing down, it’s Justin ripping off her breastplate.”
Janet is working with Brazilian producers according to a trusted source from janet.xone (he is able to track Janet EVRY SINGLE TIME she goes to Paris and take a picture with her or something like that).
I'm excited...! And proud that Janet loves our music so much. I would be very happy if she did something in the lines of Axé, like Bey's End Of Time... Brass-filled delicious music!
Then-lead singer Ivete Sangalo, who had opened up for Bey's I Am Tour is going to be at the AmFar dinner, performing.
I can see Janet pulling this off! It would be very refreshing for her!
Is it really? I've been stanning DOWN for that recently!! My body
It's bossa nova like... with samba teas maybe?
Very similar rhythm, chords and details (like the guitar thingy on the 0:47 mark ). Janet has already said she stans for Maria Bethânia! It's an americanized BPM (Brazilian Popular Music) though. Jam & Lewis invested more on the bass and we use the guitar more prominently.
Great to see appreciation for When I Think Of You
I stan!