Janet Jackson 'Unbreakable' tour opens with new song featuring Missy Elliott [video]
Looks like Taylor Swift isn't the only pop star who enjoys collaborating with various artists during her live tours. Queen of Pop Janet Jackson just launched her global tour with the first stop in Vancouver, where she debuted a yet-untitled track featuring multiplatinum artist Missy Elliot, according to Rolling Stone. A clip of Missy Elliott's rap parts was captured on Instagram by 103.5 KTU, which you can view below.
Jackson and Elliott's earlier collaborations was a track titled "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" together with Carly Simon, which was released in December 2001. The song peaked at #28 in the Billboard charts.
Billboard reported in June that Jackson's "Unbreakable" tour will begin at the end of August and will run through March of next year. American Express provided a presale event in June, with Walter Frye, V.P. American Express Entertainment saying, "Adding Janet to our industry-leading ticketing partnerships is rooted in our mission to serve our card members’ deep passion for music."
NME reports that Jackson is set to release her 11th album later this year, in a partnership between major record label BMG and her own label Rhythm Nation. Jackson also launched a single in July titled "No Sleeep," featuring rapper J Cole.
According to the NY Times, it has been four years since Jackson's last tour, and the concert review by Jon Pareles gave the first Unbreakable leg a thumbs up. Pareles wrote, "[Jackson's] 'Unbreakable tour set arrived as medleys that touched on as many hits as possible, grouping the songs by persona and tempo. She was the woman taking charge (funk), the joyfully loyal lover (upbeat pop), the ballad singer, the woman left lonely (midtempo R&B), the party girl (dance club beats), the rocker (with guitar up front) and, in the end, the idealist." The 32-song set list featured a slew of Jackson's hits.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Jackson was honored by the BET Awards with the "ultimate icon" award in June, and was presented with a dance tribute by artists Ciara, Jason Derulo and Tinashe.
In that rare appearance, the multi-Grammy award winning Jackson said in her acceptance speech: "It’s been a very long journey to this moment. My heart is so full. Thank you God for making anything, everything possible."
Jackson also acknowledged her parents, who were present in the audience. She added: "Twenty-five years ago, we created 'Rhythm Nation' hoping the world would be a better place, but there’s even more to be done."