Mariah & Madonna excelled. Will Janet & Whitney?

[Carlitoz]

So 2005 brought a MASSIVE success of Mariah in the U.S. and of Madonna in the rest of the world. Now in the third month of 2006, the world is still enjoying and celebrating the work of these two artists. These two projects were great comebacks from Mariah's crisis and modestly successful last album and from Madonna's American Life. Madonna had already started a great comeback in 2004 with one of the biggest tours of the year, but 2005 was the time to test it with an album. Both of them simply excelled.

2006 is the time for Janet and Whitney to take the test. Any predictions? They are both coming also from albums that didn't sell as expected. In other words, flops for their standards. Janet is getting back in shape. With great songs, I think pop radio might open their doors again for her. For Janet I think it's more a matter of offering great songs and hot videos. I think it's easier for her to appeal to the young generation in addition to her usual fan base. I don't think the Super Bowl thing would matter this time at all. I wouldn't blame completely the Super Bowl thing for her last flop. I think the music was just not that good. Now Whitney I think might have it harder. The drugs problem I think has really damaged her image and voice if the Olympics performance is a good indicator of that. After all those ugly interviews and seeing her in her reality show, her charisma has been badly damaged. Even with a cool song, I doubt she'll appeal to the young generation and pop radio. BUT with radio these days, you never know. Many people thought radio would never play any Mariah songs again, and see how wrong they were. Maybe Whitney will try to get the crowd of people who buys Rod Stewart, Elton John, etc. I don't know. Clive Davis must have a really good plan for Whitney, if she's really stopped doing drugs.

We'll see four months from now how things are going....

Do you have any predictions?

[msanoja]

As much as I hate to say it, Nippy is done. It's hard to fathom a comeback at this point. She always amazed me with her voice and her whole attitude but after the last 4-5 years... I feel like its over.

Janet will come back with no problem.

[HolidayGuy]

Janet should do decently enough, commercially. Whitney, it's not as much a sure thing- just because of the problems she's been facing. I hope she can, though, because it would be a great thing- she just needs to work at cleaning herself up a bit. If she wants to, she can.

[Adonis the DemiGod!]

I have to hear the music first before I can say with any kind of certainty.

[Pulse]

Janet- Relatively Likely
Whitney - No Way

[Love Plastic Love]

Janet has a better chance. But I think music is so unpredictable...Whitney could have a massive comeback one day. Who knows?

[7thfairway]

Almost anyone can have a hit song if the song is good enough - unless they've damaged their reputations and images. Janet and Whitney have both lost a lot of respect from the public. Janet still has some performing skill and that, above her voice, was always her strong suit. Without a voice Whitney is sunk - for good.

Soooooooo Janet has a much better shot. Urban/Hip-Hop will accept her back with open arms regardless or maybe even in spite of her nipple-gate. Pop won't be as forgiving.

[jond7699]

Janet should recover nicely. As for Whitney I think she needs to admit to the world her problems and than and only than will she have any chance at a comeback. If she comes clean and produces an album that doesn't sound like the disaterous JW she has a good shot as well. But I doubt whitney will ever admit to being a crackhead unforunately. It might take as much as a decade for her to even regain a smig of the credibility she's lost

[A Thug Named Slickback]

Whitney --> flop.
Janet --> success.

[Trebizond]

Whitney could make a comeback if she could clean up, but waiting for her to clean up seems to be like waiting for a Debbie Gibson revival.

Janet with a major promo campaign should have a good chance, i don't assume it will just happen though.

[Adonis the DemiGod!]

If people like the music that is what will be played/bought.

[spooky21]

Whitney faces a tougher challenge.

[hollabackboy]

msanoja said:

As much as I hate to say it, Nippy is done. It's hard to fathom a comeback at this point. She always amazed me with her voice and her whole attitude but after the last 4-5 years... I feel like its over.

Janet will come back with no problem.

I agree!

[juhn]

*bump*

Round 2.... fight!

[spooky21]

I think that this will be a commercial dissappointment for Janet but she will still remain one of the few formidable and more legitimate superstars and her next project will still have a level of anticipation that could translate easily into instant success given the material.

Whitney has a double challenge in music and public relations.  She hasn't been relevant to the contemporary music stage for years now and unlike some of her counterparts who diversified years ago, she will find it hard to connect to the younger audiences who think Beyonce and Christina are the ultimate female icons. 

IMO, it would be a mistake for her to try to sell to younger audience while competing with the Mariah's and Beyonce's of this world.  Given her age and contemporary music relevancy, it is a much harder sell.  Her current public perception probably doesn't her either.  That said, the more mature music route is a harder commercial avenue given what seems to sell these days.  Whitney has a very tough challenge to find a way to communicate to and with younger audiences.

With Mariah and Madonna, it was very evident that they both went back to doing what they do best.  Mariah being a true crossover artist with unique hip pop sensibilities and Madonna with her dancefloor legacy.  Even Janet seems to be reaching back to that which made her, albeit with lesser success.

[robbie23]

Mariah/Madonna
I think Mariah made her comeback look so easy that everybody and their aunt figured they could pull it off.
I reckon Janet (US) Sales will be around Madonna's and that should just be another proof of just how big of a feat Mariah really did do last year.

Janet:
The thing that saved madonna was her CD sales outside of the US (pre-tour). Janet has that 'thing' that appeals to a world wide audience but after listening to the cd, I doubt there will be a break out hit. EU/Asia/Australia audience like light generic fluffy dance pop, and are turned away from R&B/hip hop .. as sales clearly proves that.

Whitney
Whitney will definitely have a harder time to sell her shit (lol). i think she'll go the Patti Labelle/Lionel Richie route and just try to appeal to the Urban group to stay somewhat in the spolight to make a few $$.
Having said that, one should not forget Cher's incredible comeback to top of the pop charts with 'believe'. Whit could do this, but she needs that hit rekkid.

[spooky21]

^

hater.

[music]

robbie23 said:

Janet:
The thing that saved madonna was her CD sales outside of the US (pre-tour). Janet has that 'thing' that appeals to a world wide audience but after listening to the cd, I doubt there will be a break out hit. EU/Asia/Australia audience like light generic fluffy dance pop, and are turned away from R&B/hip hop .. as sales clearly proves that.

Janet isn't big Internationally.

[robbie23]

spooky21 said:

^ hater.

^ hater


lol

[baluba]

Whitney does not need to excel. She already has. she should not even try a comeback. I can't be optimistic about it though... Maybe Europe will receive her better than the US. In a way, we've never forgotten her, and who could?

Janet a 3rd rate star internationally (her total sales don't even put her among the top 100 in the UK nor anywhere else in Europe). she may and will get something in the uS, but that will be basically it. She's history in teh rest of the world. Well, not history, Whitney is histrtory, that means she's had a role, Janet is more of a 'Ah, yes, sort of remember her' star here... even Beyonce's not doing well at all internationally. That is also to do with the general decline in R&B slaes in Europe (had its time, it shrunk significantly last year, and is still shrinking, and was never huge to be honest, though it annoyed just about the right amount of people...) In Europe, janet does not even stand teh chance of selling as much as Mariah's 1 million for TEOM. she'll very likely hit the top 20 or so in the Uk, and miss most other Eurocharts. So, unless she really makes it big in teh US (I don't expect Asia or South America to suddenly embrace her...), which is unlikely, she'll selldecently for the times, but nothing more. She's never been as big as Madonna/Whitney?Mariah anyway, she's in a lower league (I think it's 40m albums, not the 200/160/160 of the others...)

So, I don't think so.

[grimface]

janet is big internationally. in fact her international status has grown during the velvet rope era. she could pull of a million in europe if she tours there. her biggest international hits are her newer ones. Janet did well in Asia. Just A li'l while was a SMASH Hit in Asia. I don't see any reason why she won't do better. But i admit, call on me flopped in asia. Just wait for the 3rd single and she probably will do better here. AND REMEMBER, JANET'S 70 MILLION SOLD ARE FROM 6 ALBUMS ONLY. MARIAH HAS LIKE 15 ALBUMS TO DATE AND MADONNA HAS A LOT MORE. ALSO, SINGLE WISE, JANET TRUMPS THEM ALL. EVEN MADONNA. jANET HAS SOLD AROUND 55 MILLION SINGLES COMPARED TO MADONNA'S 40 MILLION SINGLES. AND JANET'S BIGGEST SELLING SINGLE IS BIGGER THAN ANY OF MADONNA/MARIAH/WHITNEY'S SINGLES.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

grimface said:

AND REMEMBER, JANET'S 70 MILLION SOLD ARE FROM 6 ALBUMS ONLY. MARIAH HAS LIKE 15 ALBUMS TO DATE AND MADONNA HAS A LOT MORE. ALSO, SINGLE WISE, JANET TRUMPS THEM ALL. EVEN MADONNA. jANET HAS SOLD AROUND 55 MILLION SINGLES COMPARED TO MADONNA'S 40 MILLION SINGLES. AND JANET'S BIGGEST SELLING SINGLE IS BIGGER THAN ANY OF MADONNA/MARIAH/WHITNEY'S SINGLES.

There's no need to shout, even when trying to egg people on.

[Bunifa Latifah Jackson]

I think Janet will have a great start like all her albums had, even Damita Jo which came out after the big incident, but I think it might be hard for her to keep on selling past the 1 million house. And even if she manages to get through the 1million+ I doubt she will have any impact outside the USA. She isnt a worldwide name, I mean, of course people know who she is but necessarily arent interested on what she is doing.
20 Y.O might be a 2 million seller in the USA and that would be enough to say that she went through the whole Superbowl incidend and made through it, but I dont think she can have sales like Mariah and Madonna had last year

In the other hand, I think Whitney still has that chance. If she manages to really get herself together and really put a lot of effort on this album and come with it like 'My Love Is Your Love', there's no stopping for her. If she gets her act together and her voice is still there, she will own it. Whitney Houston, even after all the drama that went on and all those years that she spent on damaging herself and her career, is still a monster worldwide name.

She is still an icon and if she is really back on her feet, she can still be THE VOICE - which I truly hope that is STILL there - so among these two, the one that stands more the chance to stand out is Nippy

Specially now that she has separated from Bobby and is looking 'clean' she has the media on her feet, her comeback will be highly talked about it and she will be everywhere. But she needs to make good music and comes back with a powerful album with what she is known for.
I put my hopes and bets on Whitney

[music]

grimface said:

janet is big internationally. in fact her international status has grown during the velvet rope era. she could pull of a million in europe if she tours there. her biggest international hits are her newer ones. Janet did well in Asia. Just A li'l while was a SMASH Hit in Asia. I don't see any reason why she won't do better. But i admit, call on me flopped in asia. Just wait for the 3rd single and she probably will do better here. AND REMEMBER, JANET'S 70 MILLION SOLD ARE FROM 6 ALBUMS ONLY. MARIAH HAS LIKE 15 ALBUMS TO DATE AND MADONNA HAS A LOT MORE. ALSO, SINGLE WISE, JANET TRUMPS THEM ALL. EVEN MADONNA. jANET HAS SOLD AROUND 55 MILLION SINGLES COMPARED TO MADONNA'S 40 MILLION SINGLES. AND JANET'S BIGGEST SELLING SINGLE IS BIGGER THAN ANY OF MADONNA/MARIAH/WHITNEY'S SINGLES.

LOL. Madonna has sold over 40 million singles in the US and UK alone... 80 million world wide.

Janet has sold under 60 million albums world wide. MTV Icon confirmed 50 million when that show was on. Madonna's albums sales are *3x* that of Janet's with a only little over *twice* as many releases.

Janet is not big oveseas, DJ only did 1 million Internationally, matching the doemstic sales. And 20 Y.O. is at #51 in the UK midweeks and missed the Top 10 in Japan.

[Xavier]

The biggiest one here is Madonna, with 8 Million of her sales coming WW...1.5 in the U.S for a total around 9.5 million. Lets say this, if Mariah next alum does only does 3 million, in the U.S...shes can only muster 6 million WW....if Madonna does 1.5 again in the U.S...shes more then certain to do 8 million WW....Madonna 's worldwide fan base is bigger then Mariah's and Janets put together...and thats fact...not fiction.....look at any Madonna album that has done 3 million or more in the U.S...and u will see WW sales at 15 million or 17 million.

[music]

xavier said:

The biggiest one here is Madonna, with 8 Million of her sales coming WW...1.5 in the U.S for a total around 9.5 million. Lets say this, if Mariah next alum does only does 3 million, in the U.S...shes can only muster 6 million WW....if Madonna does 1.5 again in the U.S...shes more then certain to do 8 million WW....Madonna 's worldwide fan base is bigger then Mariah's and Janets put together...and thats fact...not fiction.....look at any Madonna album that has done 3 million or more in the U.S...and u will see WW sales at 15 million or 17 million.

COADF has done 8 million *world wide*...

Almost 2 in shipments and downloads in the US and over 6 overseas.

[spooky21]

xavier said:

The biggiest one here is Madonna, with 8 Million of her sales coming WW...1.5 in the U.S for a total around 9.5 million. Lets say this, if Mariah next alum does only does 3 million, in the U.S...shes can only muster 6 million WW....if Madonna does 1.5 again in the U.S...shes more then certain to do 8 million WW....Madonna 's worldwide fan base is bigger then Mariah's and Janets put together...and thats fact...not fiction.....look at any Madonna album that has done 3 million or more in the U.S...and u will see WW sales at 15 million or 17 million.

Nice creative additions and accounting there.

[babyboylrtm]

In the other hand, I think Whitney still has that chance. If she manages to really get herself together and really put a lot of effort on this album and come with it like 'My Love Is Your Love', there's no stopping for her. If she gets her act together and her voice is still there, she will own it. Whitney Houston, even after all the drama that went on and all those years that she spent on damaging herself and her career, is still a monster worldwide name.

She is still an icon and if she is really back on her feet, she can still be THE VOICE - which I truly hope that is STILL there - so among these two, the one that stands more the chance to stand out is Nippy

Specially now that she has separated from Bobby and is looking 'clean' she has the media on her feet, her comeback will be highly talked about it and she will be everywhere. But she needs to make good music and comes back with a powerful album with what she is known for.
I put my hopes and bets on Whitney

AMEN!

[Xavier]

O.K Spooky....be honest, and put your lamb torch too the side...do you really think Mariah can come up with 10 Milllion WW without  great U.S sales??...lol...be honest.......ok...now you see my point...thank you.

[music]

xavier said:

O.K Spooky....be honest, and put your lamb torch too the side...do you really think Mariah can come up with 10 Milllion WW without  great U.S sales??...lol...be honest.......ok...now you see my point...thank you.

Well yes,
TEOM- 3 million overseas
COADF- a little over 6 million overseas