Janet Jackson
 

Janet Damita Jo Jackson is the 9th of 9 brothers and sisters. She comes from one of the biggest musical show business families of all time. Despite having successful established brothers in the music business, she began to carve her own career by acting on various shows such as Good Times, Different Strokes and Fame in the 70's. She had two albums that were released that had marginal success but she became a superstar with her 1986 successful hit Control album. Despite having the biggest and most successful artist as her older brother, she still manage to become an icon by her own merit. She became her own act and star separate from her family and more successful older sibling.

She has produced a number of eclectic songs that covered a wide range of topics such as social injustice, politics, spousal abuse, domestic violence, poverty, homosexuality, etc. Her production is also very eclectic and experimental and covers alot of different genres such as soul, funk, new jack swing, rock, opera, neo soul, jazz, hip hop, etc.

She has also done many elaborate stage shows, concerts and performances. Dancing is something that definitely runs in the Jackson family because she is the best female pop dancer that has came out within the last 25 years.

She has went on to produce other classics such as Rhythm Nation, Janet and Velvet Rope. Currently, Janet is tremendously underrated. Her influence on today's female pop entertainers are undeniable.



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I liked Janet Jackson back in the day maybe even more than MJ's music, her choreography was good as well. Paula Abdul and Jody Watley had a couple of songs I liked around that same time period.

It is odd that she hasn't had a thread on her in this section yet. She is one of the biggest selling female pop stars of all time. I am going to tribute each of her albums and just give some facts, info, photos on each of them. I will be back with goodies.

Has she done anything lately?

Janet Jackson's self titled debut: Janet Jackson 1982
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Fun fact: The album cover photo of Janet was taken at the Jackson family home in Encino California.

Tracklist:


1.Say You Do

2.You'll Never Find (A Love Like Mine)

3.Young Love

4.Love and My Best Friend

5.Don't Mess Up This Good Thing

6.Forever Yours

7.The Magic Is Working

8.Come Give Your Love to Me

Producers: René Moore, Angela Winbush, Foster Sylvers, Bobby Watson, Jerry Weaver

Singles: Young Love, Come Give Your Love to Me, Say You Do, Love and My Best Friend, and Don't Mess Up This Good Thing



Chart Peaks: from wiki
New Zealand Albums Chart: 44
U.S. Billboard 200: 63
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album: 6

I personally do not listen to this album alot so I can not offer a whole lot of information on it. I do know that Janet did not really want to have a singing career and her father really pushed for her to have a singing career. She wanted to go to college but Papa Joe had other plans for her. Remember, prior to this album release Janet was an actress an appeared on multiple shows: Good Times, Fame and Different Strokes. She did not want the help of her brothers when she made this album.

Janet was 16 when she recorded this album.


More rare album photos:
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1982 Era photos of Janet:

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Fun fact: Before Janet debut with her solo album, Janet singed back up vocals for someone else first. Her backup vocals on this song was actually the first time Janet recorded in a studio.

Guess who record that was? YEP, her big brother MJ. Janet as well as La Toya Jackson singed backup on P.Y.T. for MJ's Thriller album.


So next time you listen to P.Y.T. off of MJ's Thriller, remember those "Na Na Na Na Na Na" female voices are really Janets and La Toya's!!


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I think Joe had aspirations of all his children going into the music business. It seemed to turn out well for most of them......

Joe did and they all dabbled with the music thing even if they did not pursue it as a career. Joe had good intentions for all his children but he should have concentrated more on being a father to them instead of a manager figure. Yes, they are celebrities and superstars but the dynamic of the family is not good and I think he emotionally affected them for the worse.

They could not call their father "daddy". They had to call him Joseph or Joe.

Janet does not seem that interested in music anymore. Her last album was in 2008. She has been acting more in movies since then. Maybe she can take the opportunity and go back to school since that was something she wanted to do anyway.

Her last movie was "For Colored Girls" 2010. She primarily has appeared in a number of Tyler Perry movies and besides a single she did for the last Why Did I Get Married sequel titled "Nothing", she has not done anything musically.

She got married in 2011, kept it a secret and revealed it in 2012. Here is a pic of her and her new hubby. His name is Wissam Al Mana and he is Middle Eastern (not sure his ethnic specifically, he is mixed with different things but he is from Qatar). He is from Qatar and he is a fashion billionaire over there. He is 37 and about 10 years younger than Janet but who cares because Janet does not look her age herself. Janet is 47.

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She was in Dubai for the longest with her husband and she recently came back to the states about a month ago. I really want her to come back with one last album and show these current wannabe's how it is really done!

"Dream Street" is Janet's second studio album and it was released on October 23, 1984

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1. Don't Stand Another Chance

Fun fact: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson and Tito Jackson sing background vocals.

Also, Marlon Jackson produced this song.

2. Two To The Power Of Love
3. Pretty Boy

Fun fact: Jesse Johnson from "The Time" produces this song

4. Dream Street
5. Communication
6. Fast Girls

Fun fact: Jesse Johnson also produces this song
7. Hold Back The Tears

8. All My Love To You
Fun fact: Marva King and Marlon Jackson sings background vocals
Drum Programming and producing is done by Marlon Jackson

9. If It Takes All Night


Credits:
Other producers: Co producer- John Barnes
Other backing vocals:Beth Anderson, Gary Falcone, Cliff Richard, Maxine Waters, Julia Waters


Fun fact: This album is only available in US, Canada, Israel, Australia and Germany. Physical copies of the album are out of print, thus very rare, and especially hard to find in the United States. As a result, "Dream street" is Janet's hardest album to find and most sought out by die hard fans.


Dream street album photos:
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Album chart positions: from wiki
U.S. Billboard 200:147
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 19

Similar to Janet's debut this album mostly is bubble gum soul/pop. I don't really listen to this album much either. The single "Don't Stand Another" received modest success.

Fun fact: Janet did a music video for Dream street (the song) and that was her very first music video which was shot from the Fame t.v. show set

Dream Streat music video




1984 Era Photos of Janet

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On Fame t.v. show

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MJ invited all his beautiful sisters on stage to help him accept his Grammy at the 1984 Grammy's award show.
From left to right: Rebbie, Janet and La Toya

Not that it is relevant or anything but Janet Jackson still gives me a boner i thought you should all know that.

She is also one of the most talented female pop singers ive ever heard but not because she has an amazing voice but because she knows how to make a catchy song that just sounds good

The country is called Qatar. People from there are Qatari. Like Iraq/Iraqi. :)

I know I shouldn't open this can of worms but there is no way in hell that Janet is underrated.

She hasn't released an album in 6 years and she still gets heavy radio play on R&B radio stations. They aren't even from her last album but mostly songs from her albums that were created way before that and are considered classics.

Thanks! This is why Geography is not my major LOL

Well just because her songs play on the radio does not necessarily mean she is not underrated. She is a international pop star and icon, with 10 number one hit singles. Her songs are always going to play on the radio.

I think her influence and impact on today's pop stars are definitely underrated. I think Janet has had the same amount of influence as Madonna has had on today's female pop entertainers. The media usually does not cite Janet when it comes to her impact and influence on today's pop stars.

I think she is very beautiful too and she looks like she is 25 but she is 47 currently! I admire that for her first four albums she covered herself from head to toe during the peak of her youth and she was still effortlessly gorgeous. She didn't start showing skin till she was almost 30.That is when she became more comfortable with her body and her self esteem was better.

She became a superstar for her music, performances and dancing not for selling sex or a sexy image which I think some of today's female pop star's should try to model.

I don't know what media you choose to selective look at but she gets mentioned quite often in regards to her influence on today's pop stars. She also gets credited for her music videos just as much.

From 2004-2008 roughly, Janet was blacklisted by the industry because of the Super Bowl incident. Viacom/Clear Channel were not playing her videos on MTV, BET, VH1 and she was not playing on the radio which is partially why her last three albums had poor commercial success. It is sad that a barely noticeable breast literally wiped her influence off the face of the planet because she never gets cited for the influence she has had on today's entertainers. I don't watch award shows like that but when ever they cite female pop stars that have influenced today's generation she is never mentioned. Most of the time it is Madonna that is mentioned.

The material she put out wasnt that great either during that time. BET played her video for Feedback when that was released. I have that album(Discipline) on CD and honestly outside of two or three tracks it wasn't that good.

You're right.

I personally think Control, Rhythm Nation, Janet and Velvet Rope are her best albums. I think they are some of the greatest pop albums ever made

All For You is good but it was a weak follow up after Velvet Rope. Damita Jo and 20 Y.O. has their high moments as well.

I don't think Discipline was that good either but the point is she was not given a fair share because she was being blacklisted. MTV and VH1 were not playing Feedback. BET did the best that they could but BET is also owned by Viacom

As a person that doesn't buy pop records but do pay attention to pop trends i gotta say i agree with real talk that Janet is a bit underrated if you compare her to like Beyonce and her rise to fame Janet Janet has never been as acclaimed as Beyonce

Sure Janet at one point ruled the 90's but alot of young kids today probably don't ever remember that i think in the ever changing forefront of pop music Janet's contribution is a bit underrated just in the sense that what she did was quickly forgotten

And it's true if you compare Janet to MJ or Madonna who are still cited to this day as a major influence Janet jackson is hardly mentioned

i think she never quite achieved the momentum of a mega popstar like her brother or other pop artist did like i said she did great in the 90's but nowadays she doesn't seem very relevant.

Janet Jackson gets plenty of recognition as an artist in my opinion. If you compare her vocal quality to someone like Madonna or Beyonce for instance, Janet falls short of the mark.

Compare the popularity Janet Jackson has with the younger generation of today to someone like Bob Seger instead of Madonna or Beyonce for example, and the obvious answer speaks for itself.

well yea when you put it like that she does get some recognition :)

not alot though..

I just honestly don't think she's that good of a singer myself, she almost had a soft whisper to her style of singing. But I guess that's all a matter of individual taste and opinion. I just don't see where she's all that underrated. :p:

Well no she's not particularly a great singer she is more like an entertainer Madonna doesn't have alot of vocal range but yet she is a pop icon so it's not all about the range it's also about just knowing how to make a good song

And Janet jackson does know how to do that she has the background for it after all she is a Jackson

Don't get me wrong I don't think she's all that bad of a singer, I used to listen to her music back in the day. I stated before I preferred listening to her music verses Michaels. :)

Madonna is a weak vocalist herself, I actually think Janet is a much better singer than her.

Beyonce has a stronger voice than Janet but that is pretty much it... lol

She can not dance and she definitely can not dance better than Janet
She is not creative
She is not innovative
Her discography is disposable and bland
She not a better overall artist than Janet.

I actually would rather listen to Janet sing because her singing has more personality and she is able to connect with her audiences on a emotional level versus an artist like Beyonce.


Also, Madonna has always been a bigger star than Janet. Even during her peak in the 90's MJ, Madonna etc have always been bigger stars but Janet was still a superstar and was still recognized for HER contributions to popular music and music videos unlike today.

My only issue is I think her influence and impact could get more acknowledgement.

If it was not for Janet, it would not be a Beyonce, Britney Spears, etc.

That is not the only reason why she is an icon.


She is an icon because she has four iconic classic albums that at some point or another resonated with audiences.

She also has made a number of iconic music videos similar to her brother and was very creative in that area as well as performance.

I personally think in order to be an icon you have to do iconic things, ex. albums, performances, music videos etc.

Nowadays people are quick to call everyone an icon just because someone is a big star. That does not necessarily make someone an icon especially in today's industry where most of the big stars are not really popular because of their music and more so because of their "brands"

When I think of iconic moments for instance, I always think of MJ's Motown 25 performance when he first introduced the moonwalk, white glove, white socks and fedora hat

Madonna's not one of the greatest singers ever I agree, but I thought she had twice the projection and versatility than Janet had. Just our differences in opinions no big deal. :)

Great post

That's cool, no big deal of course I love you to bits.

I think they both have pleasant sounding voices which also compensated for that

Oh wow what a flashback i remember when MJ debuted his video 'Scream' with Janet and all that hype about how it was the most expensive video ever made and how it was gonna be epic and it totally was!!

There is like a breakdown when MJ and Janet dance and it's so perfectly timed and awesome it still gives me goosebumps!

To me that video really showed how MJ and Janet were sorta like 2 sides of the same coin and how she was the closest thing to a female MJ while still having her individual persona

in fact, to this day the scream video to me is like a tutorial vid on how to be a popstar



I know it's an MJ video but the fact Janet can hold her ground next to the king of pop for me that says alot about how talented she is

OMG I LOVE SCREAM!!!!! I love that video!! MJ and JJ killed that dance breakdown... NOBODY can touch the Jacksons, NOBODY, NOBODY can touch MJ!

C O N T R O L
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Janet Jackson's third album: CONTROL 1986

This is a story about control.
My control.
Control of what I say
Control of what I do
And this time I am going to do it my way
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.
Are you ready?
I am
Because it is all about control and I got lots of it...-Janet Jackson

Fun Fact: Control is widely regarded as the breakthrough album of Janet's career. It became her first album to top the Billboard 200 and five of its commercial singles—"What Have You Done for Me Lately", "Nasty", "Control", "When I Think of You", and "Let's Wait Awhile"—peaked within the top five of the Billboard Hot 100, from wiki

Tracklist:

1. Control
2. Nasty
3. What Have You Done For Me Lately
3. You Can Be Mine
4. The Pleasure Principle
5. When I Think Of You
6. He Doesn't Know I'm Alive
7. Let's Wait Awhile
8. Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)

Producers: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Songwriters: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson

Fun fact: Janet fired her father, Joe Jackson as her manager in 1985. Janet then hired "John McClain" as her new manager (who just so happens to be one of the executives in charge of Janet's late brother, Michael Jackson Estate) introduced her to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, former Prince associates who were ex members of The Time. Joe Jackson disapproved of this and the relationship between Joe and Janet became strained during this era


Album Chart (1986–89) Peak Position
Australian Albums Chart 25
Canadian Albums Chart 11
Dutch Albums Chart 7
German Albums Chart 36
Japanese Albums Chart 57
New Zealand Albums Chart 5
Swedish Albums Chart 47
Swiss Albums Chart 28
UK Albums Chart 8
US Billboard 200 1
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 1
From Wiki

Canada Platinum
Netherlands Platinum
New Zealand Gold
United Kingdom Platinum
United States 5 x Platinum


Side note: Janet hasn't had her albums re certified so very possible she has sold more. This is the case for all her albums.


Album photos:
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My Review:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this album!!! This is one of my favorite albums of all time and I think one of the greatest breakthrough's ever.

Janet is in control and she is kick ass in your face on this album! I love it! She significantly changed her style of music, image and subject matter with this album. This album is very personalized and is almost like a diary. She discusses many issues in her personal life on this album such as the strained relationship with her father, being independent, her failed married with James Debarge that ended in an annulment in 1985, her insecurities, her feelings on love and being in control of her life.

Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Janet Jackson were a match made in heaven and this album was the beginning of many successful albums and projects they all we do together. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis created took an unconventional route for this album sound. The album is a mixture of new jack swing, funk, dance pop, r&b, disco, and rap vocals. This album is notable for popularizing the new jack swing sound during its time.

As far as Janet's style, Janet is still clothed but her clothing is more masculine while still keeping a feminine undertone. She was covered from head to toe during this era and mostly wore suits, black, blazers, pants and hardly ever wore dresses or revealing clothes. This was a big difference compared to the other popular female pop stars of the time Madonna, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, and Donna Summer.

This is a pretty solid 5 and no weak tracks. I really love all the songs but I would say my favorites are Funny How Time Flies and When I Think of You


Janet's vocals are hard and strong on this album while still sounding sweet and clean. Janet is having fun sand is happy with her new found independence which makes the songs fun to dance too because their is so much personality in her voice. I think this is a MUST have album and one of Janet's more influential albums to date. Control is a classic and I haven't even gotten started with the music videos..... :D

Janet 1986 Era Photos

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Janet performing Control on 1987 AMA's

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Fun Fact: Paula Abdul choreographed most of Janet's music videos for this album
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I am tired lol I will come back and discuss the music videos in a separate post

What Have You Done For Me Lately



Directors: Brian Jones and Piers Ashworth

The video was directed in December of 1985

Paula Abdul choreographs this video and appears in the video as Janet's friend. Tina Landon is also in this video who went on to eventually become a long time choreographer of Janet as well as friend.

Rudy Huston who was a popular choreographer/dancer of the era also appears in the video as Janet's love interest

The "What Have You Done for Me Lately" video won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video in 1987.


Pleasure Principle


Director: Dominic Sena


At the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards the video won for Best Choreography and was nominated for Best Female Video.

In the video, Jackson enters a loft to practice her dancing. She gives a solo dance performance while singing about the pleasure principle. Elements of the choreography incorporate a chair and a microphone stand. Other singers have been influenced by the solo performance of this video such as Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Mya, and Aaliyah.


Nasty


The music video was directed by Mary Lambert and choreographed by Paula Abdul.


When I Think of You



Director: Julien Temple
"When I Think of You" has only five cuts.

Fun fact:
Two of Jackson's nephews, TJ and Taryll Jackson, make a cameo in the video.

The video is also based on an edit of the 12" Dance Remix version of the song, instead of the album version

The video was choreographed by Paula Abdul.


Lets Wait a While


Director: Dominic Sena
Location: New York City.

Fun fact: The actor that plays her boyfriend in the video is martial artist Taimak Guarriello

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I agree, I don't follow pop music, however I don't think Janet has been recognised nearly as much as Madonna - who never put out an album as great as Rhythm Nation 1814. I'd still listen to that.

For the posters who agree that Janet is underrated, do you think she will ever get her respect again?

It seems that before the Super Bowl Janet was cited as an Icon and her impact was acknowledged but after the Super Bowl controversy it seems her legacy has been erased.

Unfortunately, I personally think that she will get her respect once God forbid she passes or something serious happens. We recently saw this with the passing of her brother, MJ. It sad that it takes things like that for the industry to acknowledge you for your contributions or impact. It should not have to take that for people to appreciate you and what you have done. These type of things should be done while the person is here on earth so they can appreciate it.

Janet was the last female pop Icon and I don't think anybody out now has been as influential or had as many iconic songs, albums, performances and music videos as she does.

I think Janet was big in the 90's but she never became a brand like MJ or Madonna but then again not even Madonna is on MJ's level of popularity although she is mega huge herself but who is? lol

MJ is in a lane entirely by his self and that lane is unreachable lol
BUT
Janet does deserve to get credited for the success and name she made for herself despite the accomplishments of her family and brother. She is an icon and has the albums, music videos and performances to back that title up.

I just think it is sad that I see more younger artists getting more credit than her when in my opinion they have done zero for the industry and have no classics or iconic moments.

"Exciting" Janet Jackson news is forthcoming
 

...according to none other than Jimmy Jam.
https://twitter.com/flyte...4302344192


The link might not work anymore but Jimmy tweeted that there was some future exciting new developments for Janet

Please lets hope its an album!!! I need to get this thread rolling again...

Janet just tweeted this:

Janet Jackson ‏@JanetJackson 4h
My brother, Michael, was, is and always will be a genius. I love you, Mike. Janet
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Janet Jackson told fans no new album or films
via LSA
This was posted by some fans in Paris on her fansite, they got to eat with her on her birthday

I'm going to change the format up a little differently

Next album I will be discussing is...

RHYTHM NATION 1814
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation is her fourth album and was released September 19,1989 on A&M Records
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Fun fact: Janet insisted on creating a socially conscious album that focused on social issues, politics and injustice despite label pressures to create a dance themed album. Rhythm Nation covers a wide range of themes such as racism, poverty, substance abuse, education etc.
Producers: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lee Lewis
Songwriters: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lee Lewis, and Janet Jackson