Damita Jo
by Janet Jackson
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Mar 30, 2004
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 120
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 120
  3. Negative: 32 out of 120

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  1. coolmattsinegar
    May 3, 2023
    10
    Matthew Alexander "Matt" Sinegar [SIN-NA-GAR] (An EXTREMELY Mature & EXTREMELY Heterosexual (Straight) African-American/Black Man): Damita Jo (2004) Is Literally Always One Of My All-Time Favorite R&B Albums.
  2. someonewhocares
    Jul 2, 2022
    5
    Damita Jo needed a lot to liven up her career after the personal disaster of All For You, and it certainly went down a similar road to All For You. Damita Jo can be tedious at times, but eventually, you'll hear the songs you'll know you'll eventually grow to love or to love em' instantly. But it took two years to record?! Damita Jo doesn't always sound like it did take that long to record,Damita Jo needed a lot to liven up her career after the personal disaster of All For You, and it certainly went down a similar road to All For You. Damita Jo can be tedious at times, but eventually, you'll hear the songs you'll know you'll eventually grow to love or to love em' instantly. But it took two years to record?! Damita Jo doesn't always sound like it did take that long to record, as most songs sound fast and over in a second.… Expand
  3. daebu_char
    Oct 10, 2020
    10
    A fascinating insight into the psyche of one of the most intriguing and enigmatic Pop stars in history; "Damita Jo" explores the multifacetedness of human beings, and more specifically--the complexity and emotional depth of a woman. To me, this record is feminism 101 done masterfully well, and the journey Miss Jackson takes you on in the sixteen songs that comprise this record (twenty-twoA fascinating insight into the psyche of one of the most intriguing and enigmatic Pop stars in history; "Damita Jo" explores the multifacetedness of human beings, and more specifically--the complexity and emotional depth of a woman. To me, this record is feminism 101 done masterfully well, and the journey Miss Jackson takes you on in the sixteen songs that comprise this record (twenty-two with interludes and twenty-four if you count the Japanese bonus tracks) as she progressively guides you through the many different personalities that make up Janet 'Damita Jo' Jackson' is one of the most memorable and life-changing I've ever witnessed. What I love the most about this record besides the music (obviously) is the way Janet sets up a unique and intimate connection with the listener using the many interludes... this is not a new thing as any Janet fan would know, but she's more open and confidential this time around which I thought was refreshing for someone so notoriously guarded & private. And yet, the little tidbits she shares with us are delivered in a somewhat cryptic, but beautifully poetic manner. This album is the type of record you can always put on and let it play from start to finish. There's every mood, every color, every personality trait. Damita Jo is a masterpiece. A very obvious 10/10.… Expand
  4. maxisgold
    Jul 18, 2020
    8
    A look into her relationship with Jermaine Dupri. It contains some of her best club bangers and love songs, with I Want You being the standout, the last “good” Janet album before Unbreakable
  5. Felipecritic
    Oct 21, 2017
    7
    Ótimo CD, que só não teve um bom desempenho crítico e comercial devido ao Super Bowl 2004, em que Justin Timberlake expôs um seio de Janet e ela foi boicotada nas rádios, MTV, etc.
  6. ParadiseReviews
    Jul 25, 2017
    10
    Janet Jackson shows herself confident enough to present her entire sensual soul on this incredible album. One of the best productions of R&B. Would have been acclaimed were it not for critical hypocrisy at a critical time in Jackson's career.
  7. thefinn
    Jan 24, 2015
    8
    Really good action movie. I gave it an 8/10.

    Some of the action scenes were amazingly well choreographed. A few things I'd never seen before, like hitting a guy with the car, guy goes over the top of the car, while John Wick is shooting him through the roof.

    Awesome fun to watch.
  8. NavySilver
    May 29, 2013
    8
    After being demonized by American press for her infamous nipplegate (in which Justin stay alive totally fine), this tempting album by Janet Jackson suffered great commercial flop. But the truth is that this is inevitable her best work in the 2000s. Other than the title track and the movie associated "Doesn't Really Matter", "All For You" (a.k.a the ultimate filler collection) is hardly aAfter being demonized by American press for her infamous nipplegate (in which Justin stay alive totally fine), this tempting album by Janet Jackson suffered great commercial flop. But the truth is that this is inevitable her best work in the 2000s. Other than the title track and the movie associated "Doesn't Really Matter", "All For You" (a.k.a the ultimate filler collection) is hardly a satisfying work for such an artist that used to probe into the deepest side of human being, and even the further on plastic R&B 20 Y.O. plus the pre-Lady Gaga era electropop Discipline, none of them reached the height to impress listeners and critics like her old works.

    "Damita Jo", on the other hand, is way more sensual than "All For You" while much more straightforward than "janet.". The reason you don't find such detailed expression like "My hands wrapped around, stroking up and down" in albums like "janet." and "The Velvet Rope" is that the sexuality expressed in these albums are supposed to be tied together with humanity, while the big leap forward found in "Damita Jo" is that she both revealed and created a complete personality of Janet's alter ego, or if you prefer, just the more private side of her life.

    Musically this album is nothing about vanguardism. Some of the materials you may find include 70s disco and 80s R&B ballad which not only are obviously abandoned old materials, and definitely would not hit, even without all the controversy she undergo a few months ago. Let's look at it with another perspective: This album, with all the modern soul elements, have a great consistency, which is great enough to say it's very precisely crafted. Even with all type of futuristic material you can imagine, "Discipline" failed to category itself as a classic, because "Damita Jo" already achieved the state that all the music elements can link up with each other, while expressing a complete personality of our lovely Damita Jo.

    The only other female singer that made her way to demonstrate her life within Music in such a detailed way is Mary J Blige. But ask yourself, are you actually interested in Mary J Blige's sex life? Most likely not.    … Expand
  9. JosephV
    Feb 22, 2007
    7
    Not thrilled by this CD. I think it's her weakest. Maybe I just haven't gotten into it yet...
  10. PRay
    Jan 25, 2007
    8
    All For You was rubbish, 20yo is rubbish, in contrast Damito Jo is everything that the latter two fail to be, the most naturally sexy, fresh, funky that Janet has sounded in years. Didnt need the marketing stunt if thats what it was. Unlike All For You which had some rubbish sex songs, this has good ones, unllike 20 yo which has some rubbish dance songs and a load of bland songs, Damito All For You was rubbish, 20yo is rubbish, in contrast Damito Jo is everything that the latter two fail to be, the most naturally sexy, fresh, funky that Janet has sounded in years. Didnt need the marketing stunt if thats what it was. Unlike All For You which had some rubbish sex songs, this has good ones, unllike 20 yo which has some rubbish dance songs and a load of bland songs, Damito Jos efforts are all better than all the weak tracks on bothe those albums.… Expand
  11. JayB
    Aug 14, 2005
    10
    Janet continues to do what she does best. Damita Jo showcases Janets ever increasing self awareness, while also containing the many sweet R&B tracks that has made her such a success. One of 2004's best R&B albums!
  12. ChonteJ
    Apr 19, 2005
    10
    this is the cd of the year
  13. EliotT
    Apr 16, 2005
    5
    This album is nowhere near as good as any of her past work...I can see why the album needed controversy...
  14. aaliyahj
    Sep 24, 2004
    10
    THIS IS THE BEST CD
  15. Biggs
    Sep 14, 2004
    10
    Well crafted CD. Janet, Jam, and Lewis have done it again with help from a few others. Janet is a pleasure to listen to. You can feel her energy and space that she is in, LOVE.
  16. bryana
    Aug 7, 2004
    6
    this is another typical janet album. many songs, only few are good. this is not the type of album you cn play repeatedly without being cloyed. this one is overly sexual too. nice beats for sexhibition, island life, all nite, rnb junkie, and just a little while. but warmth and truly are bland. janet will never be my fave artist. and i expected more from such a big name.
  17. Renee
    Jul 19, 2004
    10
    How does she do it? Janet has done it again with Damita Jo. Janet has once again released an album that you can listen to from beginning to end
  18. brunellk
    Jun 17, 2004
    10
    dont hate. just a little while, sexabition, and spending time is worth the money alone
  19. SamT
    Jun 14, 2004
    5
    Well first of all, I would like to say that I love Janet as much as one of her siblings would if not more and I love her music---BUT.....I am so glad that I named my first daughter, Justice and not Damita Jo, because I would have regretted it after hearing this album. I know Janet is one of the best--(the best in my book) singer/songwriter/dancer/actress/performer/etc. but I have a 6 year Well first of all, I would like to say that I love Janet as much as one of her siblings would if not more and I love her music---BUT.....I am so glad that I named my first daughter, Justice and not Damita Jo, because I would have regretted it after hearing this album. I know Janet is one of the best--(the best in my book) singer/songwriter/dancer/actress/performer/etc. but I have a 6 year old little girl that I named Justice after Janet and I can not and will not let her listen to this album. My daughters--I have three--do not need to hear this stuff. I have talked about Janet to all my children and have expressed my love for her as a person/artist and now I can't say much at all to them. The last three albums have had too much filth in them and I think she should think about all of the young girls that are following her and how they look at her now. I would like to talk to Janet and explain this to her so that she will stop with all of the vulgarity and sexual songs and get back to upbeat, fun songs and some powerful ballads--this is what I look forward to--not porno on cd. Don't get me wrong--I love Janet to death but enough is enough. We could use another Rhythm Nation 1814 (ie. Fun Nation 2005)… Expand
  20. DaleA
    Jun 12, 2004
    3
    The cover should have been a picture of nipplegate, it would have given the album some substance. A couple of good songs, with 20 tracks of filler. Can I get my money back?
  21. nikki
    Jun 5, 2004
    10
    I love this album, I love every song! This is Janet's best album!
  22. megant
    Jun 3, 2004
    10
    i love her song all nite (dont stop) everytime it comes on i just have to get up and sing and dance to it
  23. GaizekaM
    Jun 3, 2004
    10
    Its top of the best. I like it very much. Keep it up lady.
  24. BitBurn
    May 31, 2004
    2
    Goodbye glory days - Hello boringness. This CD plain suck. She tries too hard ans it's sooo obvious!! The legend of Janet Jackson will die with this record. Oh well, too bad...
  25. MattM
    May 16, 2004
    3
    A detached vocal performance set to dull R&B arrangements, Janet Jackson's "Damita Jo" proves to be an unmitigated drag. With a few sporadically interesting tracks, never has trying too hard sounded this much like not trying hard enough. The album ends on a high note, "Just A Little While," which sadly does not reflect anything else on this bland, outdated record.
  26. NISHNISHF
    May 13, 2004
    10
    Point Blank This CD is tyte!
  27. Yolanda
    May 4, 2004
    10
    This CD is excellent please support our sister Janet. Everybody supported R Kelly, and we all know he was the one who did it. Everybody in this life wants to be forgiven for something they did, hey give Janet a chance guys, please purchase her CD. Thankx!
  28. markyj
    Apr 26, 2004
    10
    This is one of Janet's best efforts yet. Dripping with sexuality and her unique way of telling a story. This is one of the best cd's of the year
  29. mrdamitajosameasabove
    Apr 20, 2004
    10
    This is by far one of her best albums yet. I have no ideal what you all are listening too, but the album is off the map and that actually means excellent
  30. SydneyC
    Apr 12, 2004
    6
    I think this is a very sexy CD of which i like. But for a singer as Janet trying to compete with other singers, this CD will not do it. The first two songs she had release have been a mistake. She should release Strawberry bounce and then one she has the attention of music fans, she can follow up with some more slow and intimate. Damita Jo and All for You have been flop CDs in my opinion. I think this is a very sexy CD of which i like. But for a singer as Janet trying to compete with other singers, this CD will not do it. The first two songs she had release have been a mistake. She should release Strawberry bounce and then one she has the attention of music fans, she can follow up with some more slow and intimate. Damita Jo and All for You have been flop CDs in my opinion. I love Janet, but the only thing she can do to promote this CD and to get the sells, is chosing the right songs to release. There are only about 3 or 4 that could make good hits. I don't know why she just didn't make a single with her brother michael, that would have sold!!!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Most Discussed Album of 2004
57
#57 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. E! Online
    83
    Strong and sensual.
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  2. AllMusic
    40
    Without strong rhythmic or melodic hooks, the album's slow grooves blend together and Jackson disappears into the productions.
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  3. Billboard
    60
    At 22 tracks, "Damita Jo" has its fair share of hits and misses.
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