Janet Jackson is an American singer-songwriter and actress who held the music industry in her hands during the ‘80s and ‘90s. With multiple No. 1 songs in the Billboard Hot 100 charts and even more in the top ten, to say that she made a huge mark on the music industry is an understatement.
So why don’t we hear about her career now?
Many Janet Jackson fans know about the fiasco surrounding her performance in the Super Bowl and how it led to the downward spiral of her career in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Jackson performed in the 2004 Super Bowl with Justin Timberlake. At the end of the performance, Timberlake tore off part of Jackson’s outfit, exposing her breast to the entire country on live television.
The media did not respond well and eventually placed the blame entirely on Jackson. This blacklisting led to a substantial hit to the career of a nationally-adored woman, and she has never been able to fully recover from this blow. After the event unfolded, MTV, CBS and Timberlake released public apologies.
Even as Jackson’s career took a major blow, she stood up, brushed herself off and kept on working. Today, her legacy is still seen in the artists we watch and listen to.
Influential artists like Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and the members of Destiny’s Child have all spoken about the influence that Janet Jackson had on their careers. Jackson is a self-made superstar, and she still inspires many aspiring artists today.
One way in which Jackson’s legacy can be seen in music today is through the intricate choreography and memorable music videos she pioneered. Her music videos tell a story, with some including short skits at the beginning before the start of the song. A well-known example of this is the video for one of her most popular songs, “Control”.
Her candid lyrics separated her music from others during her time, as she sang about hard truths and shed light on current events and social issues, as well as issues within her personal life.
Her 1986 album “Control” represents a coming-of-age for the global icon, in which she speaks to the annulment of her marriage with James DeBarge, cutting business ties with her father Joseph Jackson and the personal realization of her true potential.
Exploring these themes in such a public way showed her listeners superstars aren’t born perfect, and anyone can work their way up to the top.
Another popular album Jackson wrote and produced is “Rhythm Nation 1814.” The album was created in response to the 1989 Stockton playground murders, and included a pledge, saying “We are a nation with no geographic boundaries, bound together through our beliefs. We are like-minded individuals sharing a common vision, pushing toward a world rid of color lines.”
“Rhythm Nation 1814” went on to become the only album in history to hold seven top-five singles and won a Grammy for Best Long Form Music Video.
Jackson also pioneered the charge against sex-negativity, breaking down many sexual taboos during the peak of her career. One of her most popular lines is “No my first name ain’t baby, it’s Janet … Miss Jackson if you’re nasty,” from the song insightfully named “Nasty.” Songs such as “Nasty”and “What Have You Done for Me Lately” became feminist anthems during the time.
Later, Jackson began to shift into a more R&B-oriented style of music. During this shift, she released “That’s the Way Love Goes,” taking the number one spot on the Hot 100 and winning a Grammy for Best R&B Song.
Now, Jackson is on a world tour called “Together Again,” spanning Asia and North America in 85 shows from April 2023 to July 2024.
Throughout her career, Janet Jackson released hit after hit, and she continues to innovate and create amazing music, even after a major block that could have ended her career in music. Janet continues to release music that is candid, nuanced and relatable. We as listeners should have respect for her name and appreciate the true contributions that this global icon has made in the music industry.
From her artistic music videos to her ground-breaking social interventions through song, Jackson’s radiant career has served as the blueprint for many artists who came after her.
Now, when you are listening to a funky beat by your favorite artist, make sure you remember Janet Jackson — Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty — and her influence on your favorite songs.
