an uncompromisingly straight world." Transgender activist Janet Mock named herself after Jackson and the album's themes of sexual orientation, stating, "she was so open and raw. She was talking about her sexual fluidity. She was talking about access and elitism with the velvet rope, who gets to come in, who doesn’t. She was talking about domestic violence. All of these things within this album... my mind was blown. I couldn’t believe someone was talking about all of these issues that were paralleling my own life." "Speaker Phone" was referenced by comedian Sandra Bernhard during a monologue in "I'm Still Here... Damn It!". The album was also mentioned in the Family Guy episode, "And the Wiener Is..." Track listing Sample credits "Velvet Rope" samples "Hobo Scratch" by Malcolm McLaren and The World Famous Supreme Team and "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield. "You" samples "The Cisco Kid" by War. "Got 'til It's Gone" samples "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell. "My Need" samples "Love Hangover" by Diana Ross and "You're All I Need to Get By" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. "Free Xone" samples "Think (About It)" by Lyn Collins, "Tighten Up" by Archie Bell & the Drells, and "Joyous" by Pleasure. Personnel Credits adapted from AllMusic. Musicians David Barry – guitar Lee Blaske – string arrangements Jan Chong – violin Carolyn Daws – violin Hanley Daws – violin Glen Donnellen – viola Lynne Erickson – trumpet Charles Gray – viola Alyssa Hanson – vocals Rayvaline Harrell – choir director Shawnette Heard – vocals Camilla Heller – cello Joshua Koestenbaum – cello Kelly Konno – vocals Tina Landon – vocals Brenda Mickens – violin Joni Mitchell – performer Debbie Morrison – vocals Dale Newton – cello Willie R. Norwood – choir director Alice Preves – viola Prof. T. – vocals Q-Tip – rap, performer Myrna Rain – viola Nicholas Raths – guitar Gary Raynor – bass Alexander Richbourg – vocals, drum programming, rhythm arrangements Miko Salone – vocals Mike Scott – guitar Leslie Shank – violin Daryl Skobba – cello Liz Sobieski – violin Mike Sobieski – violin Daria Tedeschi – violin United Children's Choir – choir, chorus Vanessa-Mae – violin, performer James "Big Jim" Wright – organ, keyboards, vocals, rhythm arrangements Production Flavia Cureteu – design Steve Durkee – assistant engineer René Elizondo Jr. – executive producer Brian Gardner – mastering Steve Gerdes – design Steve Hodge – engineer, mixing