Janet Jackson

Biography

Janet Damita Jo Jackson, born on May 16, 1966, in Gary, Indiana, is an award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer who rose to prominence as a pop and R&B icon. The youngest child of the Jackson family, she began her career in entertainment as a child actress on television shows such as 'Good Times' and 'Diff’rent Strokes' before launching her music career in the early 1980s. Her breakthrough came with the 1986 album 'Control,' which marked her artistic independence and showcased a blend of pop, R&B, funk, and new jack swing. Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, 'Control' topped the charts and established Jackson as a major force in music, with hits like 'What Have You Done for Me Lately' and 'Nasty.' She continued her success with socially conscious albums like 'Rhythm Nation 1814' and later explored more personal and experimental themes in works such as 'The Velvet Rope' and 'All For You.' Known for her innovative music videos, choreography, and socially aware lyrics, Jackson has remained a trailblazer for women in the industry and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Fun Facts

• Janet Jackson was the first female artist to have a Billboard top ten debut single with 'Runaway' from her first greatest hits album.
• She negotiated a record-breaking $80 million contract with Virgin Records in the late 1990s, one of the largest in music history at the time.
• Jackson founded her own record label, Rhythm Nation, in 2015, becoming one of the few African-American female musicians to own a label.
• She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2019.

Associated Acts

• P.Y.T's

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Jimmy Jam - Producer and mentor who helped shape Jackson's mature sound (Control, Rhythm Nation 1814, Janet, The Velvet Rope) [1986–present]
• Terry Lewis - Producer and mentor who helped shape Jackson's mature sound (Control, Rhythm Nation 1814, Janet, The Velvet Rope) [1986–present]

Key Collaborators

• Michael Jackson - Sibling and musical collaborator (Scream (duet), Number Ones compilation) [1995]
• Justin Timberlake - Super Bowl halftime show performer (Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show) [2004]
• Kanye West - Featured artist and collaborator (Damita Jo) [2004]
• Jay-Z - Featured artist and collaborator (Damita Jo) [2004]
• Nelly - Featured artist and collaborator (20 Y.O.) [2006]

Artists Influenced

• Beyoncé - Cited Jackson as an influence on her music and stage presence (Various performances and interviews) [2000s–present]
• Alicia Keys - Cited Jackson as an influence on her music and style (Various interviews) [2000s–present]
• Ciara - Cited Jackson as an influence on her dance and music style (Various performances and interviews) [2000s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Someone To Call My Lover (All For You)
2. That's The Way Love Goes (Janet)
3. Together Again (The Velvet Rope)
4. All For You (All For You)
5. Got 'Til It's Gone (The Velvet Rope)
6. Any Time, Any Place (Janet)
7. Scream (HIStory - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE - BOOK I)
8. Call On Me (20 Y.O.)
9. Again (Janet)
10. When I Think Of You (Control)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #contemporary-r&b, #dance, #female-vocals