Janet Jackson
Biography Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
An icon, a trendsetter, a businessperson, a multi-gifted artist: songwriter/producer/singer/actor/dancer. Janet burst onto the scene with her record setting album, “Control.” Today she possesses an unprecedented list of achievements, and remains in the forefront of her craft, a true inspiration. As an artist, Janet excites, enlightens, leads, and embraces her fans with insights into life’s […]
An icon, a trendsetter, a businessperson, a multi-gifted artist: songwriter/producer/singer/actor/dancer. Janet burst onto the scene with her record setting album, “Control.” Today she possesses an unprecedented list of achievements, and remains in the forefront of her craft, a true inspiration. As an artist, Janet excites, enlightens, leads, and embraces her fans with insights into life’s meaning and our deepest feelings. Janet is ranked as one of the top ten best-selling artists in the history of contemporary music. Her musical style, choreography, lyrical exploration, and self awareness has made her one of the top artists of our time as well as a leading influence on the upcoming stars of tomorrow.
Through words and actions, she has set an example of generosity, of empowerment, of tolerance, and helped to lead efforts addressing some of society’s greatest challenges. Born Janet Damita Jo Jackson in Gary, Indiana, she has accumulated the success and the stature to be addressed by just her first name, Janet.
Janet began her career at the young age of seven when she appeared at the MGM in Las Vegas with her family in 1973. This debut and her appearances beginning at the age of nine on her family’s variety show, The Jacksons, lead her to starring and supporting roles on hit sitcoms such as “Good Times,” “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Fame.”
At fourteen she signed her first recording deal and launched the career that would change the history and direction of performance art and music. Her first two albums, “Janet Jackson” and “Dream Street” were just the beginning. Placing acting on the back burner Janet was able to focus on her passion for music. It wasn’t until her third album, “Control” (1986) that she began to break records and set standards.
“Control” brought Janet into the collaborative mix of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis: a relationship that created a musical fusion of pop, r&b, soul, dance, jazz, rock and rap that continues today. The new feisty sound of Janet brought accolades and praise that had not been seen before and cemented her in music history. “Control” won four American Music Awards out of twelve nominations – a record that she still holds – and was nominated for an Album of the Year Grammy. “Control” was influential in expanding and developing the art of music video performance.
Her fourth album “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814” took a new look at musical integrity and the responsibilities an artist has to the audience. “I just want my music and my dance to catch the audience’s attention, and to hold it long enough for them to listen to the lyrics and what we’re saying,” said Janet of the new direction. “Rhythm Nation 1814” was a socially conscious driven album that focused on the changes or lack there of occurring in society. The album’s lyrical content targeted injustice, illiteracy, crime, drugs, and racial intolerance, all of which was done to a slamming beat that kept audiences intrigued and dancing. Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation 1814” is the only album ever to launch number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in three separate calendar years “Rhythm Nation” (1989), “Miss You Much,” (1989) “Escapade” (1990), “Black Cat” (1990), and “Love will Never Do (Without You)” (1991). It also brought Janet her first Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video for “Rhythm Nation 1814.” Visit: www.janetjackson.com
