Tito Joe "TJ" Jackson tweeted that his aunt Janet Jackson's more provocative concert choices "degrades and objectifies women in a way that's not healthy."
Janet Jackson is a music industry legend and an icon, gaining praise and accolades for her multi-faceted career and style across decades. One family member, though, doesn't care for her more sensual performances.
The 44-year-old nephew of Janet, Tito Joe "TJ" Jackson, took to Twitter to share his thoughts after a fan posted a clip of Janet performing "Would You" in concert. The provocative moment appeared to include seductive touching of a fan and even mimicking oral sex, per Page Six (the clip has since been restricted).
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View Story"I never liked when she did this in concerts either," TJ replied to the tweet. "I don't like when females are overly sexualized in art...it degrades and objectify's [sic] women in a way that's not healthy. I prefer 'That's the Way Love Goes' Janet."
TJ didn't stop there, though, as his tweet emboldened a lively discussion on the social media platform; one in which he heartily engaged.
When one person asked if maybe the problem for him with Janet is because she is his "literal aunt," TJ pushed back and said that it "just diminishes her amazing talent." He dropped a "respect" hashtag on this comment.
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View StoryNah...I didn't like it ...it just diminishes her amazing talent. But would love to hear your disagreeement. #respect
— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) February 28, 2023 @tjjackson
The fan pushed back that they don't think a woman being sexual diminishes their talent. "I mean Michael was humping the floor and Prince was...Prince, that don't diminish their talent," the fan wrote. "What's the difference?"
TJ pushed back that Janet "got a lot dirtier" than Michael, but didn't really address the fan's question, instead saying that Black women are treated better outside the US and he believes "it has to do with how we allow ourselves to be projected here."
My aunt got a lot dirtier than my uncle..lol but no help needed. :) I've traveled and seen how black women are treated better outside the states. They are truly and rightfully celebrated more and I believe it has a lot to do with how we allow ourselves to be projected here.
— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) February 28, 2023 @tjjackson
He then went in on Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's "WAP," saying "it ain't good for your daughters nor mine," reiterating that he sees it taking away from art and diminishing talent.
"I love black women," TJ replied to the fan. "I wish you would respect the black women we put in our music videos and if you are really serious about making a difference stop supporting the negative image many female black celebs today portray. WAP was not a good look. That deserves your energy."
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View StoryI disagree. But we can disagree. When you take a whole song and make it a shock and awe song and video (like WAP and others) it ain't good for your daughters nor mine. And to me it takes away from art and diminishes talent. Again we can disagree to disagree.
— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) February 28, 2023 @tjjackson
The fan argued that other artists than just Black women have made sexually explicit songs, many of them far more so than anything Janet ever released. TJ conceded the point, but argued, "We don't get many chairs at the table...so we have to be smarter with what we put out there and accept from ourselves."
Ultimately, though, despite his harsh criticism of this one aspect of Janet's career, TJ ultimately praised her as "a trailblazer and an icon."
I agree. She wouldn’t have had it any other way. She is a trailblazer and an icon. From Control to RN to All for You to Gone Till It’s Gone…There will never be another JJ.
— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) February 28, 2023 @tjjackson
Apparently the back-and-forth on social media about his comments got so strong that he pinned a tweet at the top of his page to try and clarify that he's not trashing his aunt and holds her in the highest regard.
You can check out some of his other comments related to Janet's groundbreaking career and legacy as an artist and provocateur below.
Of course I didn’t. She is a 👸🏾 https://t.co/NBTfaG0c26
— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) February 28, 2023 @tjjackson
No. Never would. It was in response to WAP. But people on Twitter live for drama. I’ll never be cool with our girls seeing flashy imagery of our women & thinking it’s cool to say “there’s some hoes in the house” over and over… I respect my kind too much. It is what it is though.
— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) February 28, 2023 @tjjackson
To all the black women out there.... know your worth. I truly believe you are the strongest beings on the planet. Don't sell yourself short. Become the queens you are meant to be. #lovealways
— TJ Jackson (@tjjackson) February 28, 2023 @tjjackson