2019 reissue including bonus track. Artwork replicated from original 1997 pressing.

The Velvet Rope is the sixth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson. The album was released on October 7, 1997 through Virgin Records.

Upon experiencing an emotional breakdown, Jackson began facing a long-term case of depression. She in turn developed her new record as a concept album, using introspection as its theme. Its title is a metaphor for emotional boundaries, as well as an allusion to an individual's need to feel special. Its lyrics address subject matter such as depression, self-worth, social networking, and domestic violence. It also encompasses themes of sexuality, including BDSM, sexual orientation and same-sex relationships. Due to its sexually explicit content, the album reinforced Jackson's public image as a sex symbol and as one of the most erotic vocalists of the 1990s. Its incorporation of social issues regarding sexual orientation and combating homophobia also established her reputation as a gay icon and received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music.

The record was co-written and co-produced by Jackson, her then-husband René Elizondo Jr., Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with additional contributions by various songwriters. Songs on the album also include British violinist Vanessa-Mae, Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell and American rapper Q-Tip as featured artists. Its composition fuses various genres, including pop, R&B, trip hop, folk, jazz, rock and electronic music. Considered to be Jackson's most mature recording, it is regarded as a template for pop artists transitioning to a darker or rebellious sound and as a precursor to the development of alternative R&B.

Tracklist

A1 Interlude - Twisted Elegance
A2 Velvet Rope
A3 You
A4 Got Till’ It’s Gone
A5 Interlude - Speaker Phone
A6 My Need
B1 Interlude - Fasten Your Seatbelts
B2 Go Deep
B3 Free Xone
B4 Interlude - Memory
B5 Together Again
B6 Interlude - Online
C1 Empty
C2 Interlude - Full
C3 What About
C4 Every Time
C5 Tonight’s The Night
D1 I Get Lonely
D2 Rope Burn
D3 Anything
D4 Interlude - Sad
D5 Special
D6 Can’t Be Stopped