Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the legendary production and songwriting duo behind mega-hits for Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Usher, and countless others are at a point in their storied career that they don’t have much to prove. But that isn’t stopping the musical geniuses from wanting to branch out from behind the board and release music as artists themselves.
It has been revealed that Jam and Lewis are planning to put out their debut album under their prized industry names sometime in 2021 through a new deal with BMG.
“BMG immediately got our vision and understood where we wanted to go with this album,” Jam shared in a press statement on why they signed with the established label. “There was real mutual respect. We’ve found the perfect partner to kick off this next era and finally deliver our first record to the world.”
Much like their once-teased Jam & Lewis: Volume One project, which was slated to arrive last summer under their rebooted label Perspective Records, the duo’s impending first album will bring together some “iconic collaborations spanning their influential discography.”
“This album is an important next step in the already legendary careers of Jimmy and Terry,” said Stephen Greener of Primary Wave and manager of the dynamic pair. “This first album from the iconic duo signals yet another landmark moment helping to cement their musical legacies.”
Lewis echoes the sentiments of Greener, stating, “It’s crazy to think we’re about to release our debut album after all these years. This is going to be a very special moment and we are grateful to have this team behind us.”
Jam and Lewis, who have secured 16 Hot 100 number one hits and a wall of more than 100 RIAA certifications, from diamond to gold, are sure to have no issue making more history in the next year.
Last year, Jam and Lewis released the now standalone track called “Til’ I Found You.” It featured vocal contributions from Ann Nesby and the late-Big Jim Wright (of Sounds of Blackness) and Lauren Evans. No word if the song will appear on their future BMG release.
Earlier this month, Janet Jackson’s Unbreakable celebrates its fifth anniversary. The 2015 album, which reunited the global R&B superstar with Jam and Lewis, was revisited by Rated R&B with a special editorial that explored the parallels between Janet’s album, and her brother and icon Michael Jackson’s Invincible. Read the in-depth retrospect on Unbreakable here.
