Burnitup!

File:Missy Elliot.jpg

For "Burnitup!", Jackson invited American rapper Missy Elliott, with whom she had previously collaborated several times.{{cite news|last=Spero|first=Jesse|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/janet-jackson-and-missy-elliot-release-burnitup_article_112923|title=Janet Jackson & Missy Elliott Release 'BURNITUP!'|work=Access Hollywood|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015}} The first was on 1998 remixes of "Go Deep", the second in 2001 on a remix of "Son of a Gun" from All for You (2001), and the last on "The 1" from Discipline (2008).{{cite web|last=Jacobs|first=Matthew|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/janet-jackson-missy-elliott-burnitup_56053f7ce4b0af3706dbd1f7|title=Janet Jackson And Missy Elliott 'BURNITUP!' With Their New Song|work=The Huffington Post|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015}} Elliott commented: {{Blockquote|Working with Janet is unbelievable. Although we are great friends and have been for so long, I am still her biggest fan. Sometimes, I still have to pinch myself when I call her and she picks up the phone or texts me because she is still Janet Jackson! The superstar that I would run to the TV to watch her videos and dance moves, so for me I'm honored to be on any Janet record. I'm humbled whenever she asks because she inspires and continues to inspire me, always!}}

Jackson responded that it is always great to work with friends, and Elliott was a dear one. It was natural to record a song together for both of them, as they had a great time doing it. The song's producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, said that "Janet and Missy working together is a case of one plus one equaling 10."{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Zach|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/699887/janet-jackson-drops-burnitup-with-missy-elliott|title=Janet Jackson Drops "BURNITUP!" With Missy Elliott|date=September 25, 2015|publisher=E! Online|access-date=September 26, 2015}} The song was first played on MistaJam's BBC Radio 1 show on September 24, 2015, and then released for digital download the day after. A promotional digital single containing the album's version and a radio edit of the song was released on October 5, 2015.{{cite web|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Janet Jackson: Burnitup!|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-1468666|publisher=Offizielle Deutsche Charts|access-date=3 March 2016}}

"Burnitup!" was written and produced by Janet Jackson, Dem Jointz, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Missy Elliott. It also features Elliott as a rap guest. It is composed as an uptempo dance song{{cite web|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/10/album-review-janet-jackson-unbreakable/|title=Janet Jackson – Unbreakable – Album Reviews – Consequence of Sound|work=Consequence of Sound|date=8 October 2015 |access-date=October 8, 2015}} with electronic beats, processed vocal samples, "crisp" house drums, "glossy" keys and "thick" synth-bass. The opening of "Burnitup!" warns listeners with a voice shouting "Incoming!", before Elliott starts rapping, and hypes listeners up before Jackson's vocals and makes some kitty-quoting "meow" sounds.{{cite news|last=Hudson|first=Alex|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/janet_jackson-burnitup_ft_missy_elliott|title=Janet Jackson "Burnitup!" (ft. Missy Elliott)|work=Exclaim!|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=September 25, 2015}}{{cite news|last=Dunn|first=Francesca|url=https://i-d.co/article/burnitup-janet-jackson-and-missy-elliotts-new-collaboration-is-fire/|title='burnitup!' janet jackson and missy elliott's new collaboration is fire|work=i-D|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015}} Jackson then asks "Mr. DJ" to "turn it up" and the crowd to "dance like no-one's watching", while Elliott raps "Make it work, make it work, make it work".{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2015/09/24/new-music-janet-jackson-missy-elliott-burnitup/|title=New Music: Janet Jackson feat. Missy Elliott – 'BURNITUP!'|work=Rap-Up|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=September 25, 2015}} Elliott also instructs the listener, rapping "Dis dat jam, now do yo dance[sic]" and giving shout-outs to Jackson, who teases "Just give me that fire and Imma show you how to burn it up".{{cite magazine|last=Reed|first=Ryan|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/janet-jackson-recruits-missy-elliott-for-propulsive-song-burnitup-20150925|title=Janet Jackson Recruits Missy Elliott for Propulsive Song, 'Burnitup!'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015}}{{cite news|last=Charlton|first=Lauretta|url=http://www.vulture.com/2015/09/janet-jackson-and-missy-elliott-burnitup.html|title=Janet Jackson's New Single 'Burnitup!' Features Missy Elliott and a Whole Lot of Sweat|publisher=Vulture.com|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015}}

"Burnitup!" received positive reviews from music critics. Billboard{{'}}s Colin Stutz called it a "club-ready jam",{{cite magazine|last=Stutz|first=Colin|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6707892/janet-jackson-burn-it-up-song-missy-elliott-unbreakable|title=Janet Jackson Drops Club-Ready 'Burn It Up' With Missy Elliott|magazine=Billboard|date=September 24, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015}} while Shenequa Golding from Vibe noted that "Missy infuses her signature personality on the electronic single, while Janet's smooth voices coats the fast-paced track".{{cite news|last=Golding|first=Shenequa|url=http://www.vibe.com/2015/09/janet-jackson-missy-elliott-burnitp/|title=Janet Jackson Returns To Her Dance Roots On 'BURNITUP' Featuring Missy Elliott|date=September 24, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015|work=Vibe}} Alex Hudson of Exclaim commented that Elliott, combined with the song's "thumping electronic swagger and DJ-encouraging melodies", makes it an energetic pop anthem. Francesca Dunn from i-D complimented Jackson's "joyously hooky vocals" which she displayed around the track. Spin magazine's Brennan Carley noted that "heel-nipping track featuring Missy Elliott [who is] in fine form, doing a tongue-twisting verse to usher in Jackson's perfectly aerated harmonizing".{{cite news|last=Carley|first=Brenan|url=http://www.spin.com/2015/09/janet-jackson-missy-elliott-burn-it-up-new-song-unbreakable-stream-bbc/|title=Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott Scorch Through 'Burn It Up'|date=September 24, 2015|access-date=September 25, 2015|work=Spin}} Maeve McDermott from USA Today was positive, saying "Ms. Jackson doesn't just make music for the bedroom—Burnitup! seems tailor-made for booming club speakers, all anchored by drill-sergeant rapping from—yes, she's baaaack!—Missy".{{cite news|last=McDermott|first=Maeve|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2015/09/25/listen-janet-jackson-and-missy-elliott-burnitup-new-single/72811106/|title=Listen: Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott 'Burnitup!' on new single|work=USA Today|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015}} James Vincent, writer for The Verge, noted that both artists featured on the song have been relatively absent from the music world for a while, and "Burnitup!" shows why it is good to have them back.{{cite news|last=Vincent|first=James|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/9/25/9396757/burnitup-janet-jackson-missy-elliott|title=Janet Jackson and Missy Elliot 'BURNITUP!' for new track|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015}}

Andy Kellman of AllMusic picked the track as one of the best on the album, noting that it serves to "increase the intensity and anticipation, [...] a simultaneously hard and light dance track with Missy Elliott hyping the crowd",{{cite web|last1=Kellman|first1=Andy|title=Unbreakable - Janet Jackson | AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/unbreakable-mw0002873678|publisher=AllMusic. All Media Network|access-date=3 March 2016}} Glenn Gamboa of Newsday called it "a hard-hitting dance floor delight, alternating stretches of smooth soul and thudding beats, not to mention Elliott's charming cameo."{{cite news|author=Glenn Gamboa|title=Janet Jackson's 'Unbreakable' review: A comeback on her own terms|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/janet-jackson-s-unbreakable-review-a-comeback-on-her-own-terms-1.10909367|work=Newsday|date=October 1, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2015}} Mof Gimmers of The Quietus named it a "high profile track",{{cite news|last1=Gimmers|first1=Mof|title=The Quietus | Reviews | Janet Jackson|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/18980-janet-jackson-unbreakable-review|access-date=March 2, 2016|publisher=The Quietus|date=October 20, 2015}} while Mikael Wood of Los Angeles Times labeled it "a boisterous duet with Missy Elliott."{{cite news|author=Mikael Wood|title= Review Janet Jackson's new 'Unbreakable' includes a tender tribute to Michael |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-janet-jackson-unbreakable-album-review-20150930-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 1, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2015}} Evan Sawdey of PopMatters praised "Jackson's musings [for] never ris[ing] above generic will.i.am-styled vagueries."{{cite news|last1=Sawdey|first1=Evan|title=Janet Jackson: Unbreakable | PopMatters|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/janet-jackson-unbreakable/|access-date=March 2, 2016|publisher=PopMatters|date=October 5, 2015}} Michael Arceneaux of Complex applauded the track for "just mak[ing] you happy to hear Janet's voice—with the just as musically missed Missy Elliott, no less—on an uptempo track."{{cite news|last1=Arceneaux|first1=Michael|title=Review: Janet Jackson Is Self-Assured and Reflective on 'Unbreakable'|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2015/10/review-janet-jackson-unbreakable|access-date=March 2, 2016|work=Complex|date=October 2, 2015}} Lucas Villa of AXS opined that "it's refreshing to hear Janet reclaim the throne and rekindle her love for the club. "BURNITUP!" is a hot-and-heavy return to form for Ms. Jackson."{{cite news|last1=Villa|first1=Lucas|title=Review: Janet Jackson rekindles love for club on 'BURNITUP!' with Missy Elliott|url=http://www.axs.com/review-janet-jackson-rekindles-love-for-club-on-burnitup-with-missy-el-66923|access-date=March 2, 2016|work=AXS|date=September 28, 2015}} In contrast, Annie Zaleski wrote for The A.V. Club that the song "doesn't quite overcome dated-sounding production and overly generic exhortations about DJs and dancing."{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/janet-jackson-sounds-confident-and-control-unbreak-225973|title=Unbreakable· Janet Jackson· Music Review· The A.V. Club|work=The A.V. Club|date=2 October 2015 |access-date=October 6, 2015}}

"Burnitup!" debuted at number 24 on the US R&B Songs, while peaking at number 17 the week after. The song also charted within the top three on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It also reached number 68 in Belgium's Flanders region.

"Burnitup!" was performed as the opening number on Jackson's 2015–16 Unbreakable World Tour with Elliott appearing on the screens.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/09/01/janet-jackson-tour-missy-elliott-new-song|title=Janet Jackson: Tour starts with new song featuring Missy Elliott|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Goodman|first=Jessica|date=September 1, 2015|access-date=December 26, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Gordon|first=Jeremy|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/61024-janet-jackson-debuts-new-song-featuring-missy-elliott-at-tour-kickoff/|title=Janet Jackson Debuts New Song Featuring Missy Elliott at Tour Kickoff|publisher=Pitchfork|date=September 1, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015}} The song was added to the setlist of the 2017-2019 State of the World Tour,{{cite web|last=Nied|first=Mike|url=http://www.idolator.com/7668445/janet-jackson-state-world-tour-setlist|title=Hits & Choreography: Janet Jackson's 'State Of The World Tour' Kicks Off|date=September 8, 2017|access-date=September 17, 2017|publisher=Idolator}} with Elliott and Jackson performing it for the first time together on December 17, 2017, for the tour's final stop of the first leg at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.{{cite web|author1=XXL Staff|title=Missy Elliott Joins Janet Jackson for State of the World Tour|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/12/missy-elliott-janet-jackson-perform-state-of-the-world-tour-stop-atlanta/|website=XXL|publisher=Townsquare Media|access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221160004/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/12/missy-elliott-janet-jackson-perform-state-of-the-world-tour-stop-atlanta/|archive-date=December 21, 2017|location=United States|date=December 18, 2017}}

Credits for "Burnitup!" adapted from Unbreakable liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Unbreakable|others=Janet Jackson|id=538168792|type=CD liner notes|publisher=BMG Rights Management}}

• Janet Jackson – vocals, songwriting, producing
• Melissa Elliott – vocals, songwriting, producing, recording
• James Harris III – songwriting, producing, all instruments
• Terry Lewis – songwriting, producing, all instruments
• Dwayne Abernathy – songwriting, producing, keys, mixing
• Serban Ghenea – mixing
• Matthew Marrin – recording
• John Hanes – mixing engineer

{{reflist}}

{{Janet Jackson singles}}

{{Missy Elliott singles}}

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Category:2015 songs

Category:Janet Jackson songs

Category:Missy Elliott songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

Category:Songs written by Dem Jointz

Category:Songs written by Janet Jackson

Category:Songs written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

Category:Songs written by Missy Elliott