photo courtesy of http://hotspotatl.comApril's homegirl is the iconic Janet Jackson. Britney, Ciara, Christina, Mariah, and even the late R&B singer Aaliyah owe this woman a huge debt of gratitude for their careers. Janet Jackson is the prototype for global success as a female pop star. Janet, Ms. Jackson if you're Nasty, has 34 Number 1 hit singles. She has sold over 100 million records worldwide and also has time to star in a couple of hit movies.
Janet was born in Gary, Indiana then raised in Encino, California with her siblings (to include the infamous Jackson 5). She had a penchant for singing and went on to perform with her brothers on stage as a child. She also enjoyed acting and went on to appear on the television shows Good Times, Fame and Diff'rent Strokes throughout her young adult life. It wasn't until she hooked up with famed music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (formerly of the R&B group The Time) that her career took off into the stratosphere.
Janet and Jam and Lewis produced and recorded the innovative and game changing Control album. This disc was Janet's announcement to the world that she was no longer Michael's little sister. She was announcing her independence and feistiness to the world. That album produced a string of hits to include the title track, Let's Wait A While, Nasty and When I Think Of You. Shortly thereafter, she released the cult classic and instant smash record, Rhythm Nation: 1814 which is this blogger's personal favorite. That album went on to deliver the hits Rhythm Nation, Love Will Never Do Without You, Miss You Much and Alright.
She starred in the films Nutty Proffessor 2: The Klumps with Eddie Murphy, Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married and most recently, Why Did I Get Married Too both co-starring Tyler Perry. Janet's prolific career has had it's ups and downs to include a failed secret marriage to former manager Rene Elizondo, "Nipplegate" at Superbowl XXXXVIII with Justin Timberlake, less than stellar album sales from her last few releases and sadly the loss of her brother Michael Jackson. In spite of any setbacks, Ms. Jackson continues to leave her mark on the music industry. We've watched her grow from a determined young lady to a commanding grown woman.
Janet's charities include Cities in Schools, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Starlight Foundation to name a few. Janet's body of work is massive and should serve as a master class for women in the music industry. She is currently working on the release of a new album and another role in an upcoming Tyler Perry film.
I could go on and on about Janet but the post would be two pages long! Janet truly is a superstar! Janet, Life Inside My Head salutes you!
I now leave you with my favorite Janet jam of all time, Rhythm Nation! Enjoy!
4 comments:
Janet Jackson has definitely embarked upon a storied career. There are no doubts about it. I remember seeing and having a crush on Janet when I saw her album cover as a kid. She had a song called Young Love that was the bomb song.
She overcame all the pressure, the shadow of being Michael's kid sister, and became just as famed as Michael, if you ask me.
Then she changed the game when she dropped Control. I remember how we all talked about her video back in junior high school
She just kept on and on and on and on...throughout all the fads in music. I love when she performs Nasty - classic Janet Jackson.
She threw me for a loop when she dated Jermaine Dupri though. This, after shunning Tupac Shakur. Well, upon second thought, I guess Pac was a little over the edge.
Good choice.
Janet's been one of my favorite entertainers for years! I've yet to see her in concert which I've heard is something that I need to add to my bucket list!
Janet is a beauty personified and the only thing that she's got more than beauty is talent.
She's far more than just a pretty face.
Reggie,
I concur! Janet has BEEN the GAME for a long time. She's ageless and classy...a true example for entertainers, period.
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