Janet Jackson has been has been a major force in the entertainment industry since her youth and today (May 16th) she celebrates her 46th birthday! As such, this week’s Way Back Wednesday is dedicated to this great icon of stage as we celebrate her astonishing career.
Jackson is a true entertainer in every sense of the word. Acting in movies and television while balancing her incredible music career, there is no arena that she hasn’t conquered. Of course, Jackson is at her best while moving onstage as the crowned Queen of Dance.
Watch some of Jackson’s best live performances below as we reflect on her immeasurable contributions to the industry:
‘All For You’
‘Control’
‘Doesn’t Really Matter’
‘Escapade’
‘I Get So Lonely’
‘If’
‘Nothing’/'Nasty’
‘Rhythm Nation’
Super Bowl Medley
‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’
Jackson’s music sales have dipped during the last few years so many young music fans have adopted the silly habit of calling her a has-been as they try to denounce her impact. Yet, even through the shroud of their insanity, they cannot deny that Jackson was woman who inspired many of their favourite artists.
Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Mya, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Usher, Ashanti, Aaliyah and many other performers would not exist in the ways that we know them without the influence of Jackson. Yes, her brother Michael Jackson was undoubtedly a bigger Pop star but she forged her own path with a unique R&B sound that her followers struggle to imitate.
Jackson even influenced her brother with her dance styles and her brand of choreography is still seen in many music videos today. Beyonce’s ‘Run the World (Girls)’, Ciara’s ‘Gimme Dat’ and Rihanna’s ‘Where Have You Been’ – all products of Jackson’s legacy. That, ladies and gentlemen, is why bashing Jackson equates to insulting almost every singer/dancer in the industry today.
SAY IT, I LOVE JANET! HAPPY 46TH BIRTHDAY,DOLL!
Janet, the original Bad Bitch! That If choreography is still everything to me.
She is truly one of the Top 5 female artists:
Mariah Carey
Whitney Houston
Celine Dion
Madonna
Janet Jackson (in no particular order)
But she also has one of the most basic voices of ALL female artists.
MY GIRL JANET! I LOVE HER!!!!!
what an amazing post, everything is soo true! happy birthday Janet Jackson! We will always love you
can’t wait for the next album!!!
Right on the money Trent! Janet is unmatched by anyone else, past, present or future. I can bet that her next album is going to put all these pop tarts to shame.
YESSS You better speak that truth! and not to mention, people this generation are more familiar with her whisper songs, but the bitch can sing, she was never a Mariah, Whitney, or Celine but she never tried to be, she knew her bounderies, and she knows how to SING, sing with passion and emotion and rawness, and still be on pitch and can hold a note. Her rock songs are just EPIC like some dont even sound like a black women’s doing them. I’d say Janet’s voice has more versatility than some of the loudest singers out there, if she could be louder, and add another octave to her 3, she’d have alot of the vocal divas running back in the day I think. But she did have them running to choreographers lol. NO WOMEN commands a stage like this bad bitch here, NO women out here in the last 10 years, this women is a BEAST.
i was secretly a stan and i didnt even know!! Ive been on her music and dancing from birth and im twenty! yesss
Well said Trent! Janet paved the way!
The Kween. That control performance is life
LOL Trent you would leave out that your fave Mariah has also said Janet was a idol of hers too, specifically with Control.
I loooove this WayBackWednesday Trent nice tribute on her birthday
Happy Birthday Janet!!!
Get it bwoy.. right on the spot.. The house that Janet build.
PREACH!!!!
Trini Trent!!!!!!!!!
Dude, this article almost made me cry! L-O-V-E the incredible, lovely, and talented Janet Jackson. These youngsters need to learn who the ring master is lol!
Alright, my stan is showing. Love the blog mister!
Yes, Trent, for stanning for true talent, ms Jackson, the legendary, iconic performer, entertainer, triple threat. Happy birthday Janet.
Janet Jackson is a legend & icon and she doesn’t get the respect that she deserves. Cannot wait for her next album..
Trent this article is life times 10!!! Janet Jackson is a major influence on everything that we see today. She really has paved the way for just about every artist that has followed her and I’m happy to see that I’m not the only one who feels that way!
And BTW that If performance is EVERYTHING!
YES GAWD! *bow down* and Happy (belated) Birthday
I love her!!!!! Graceful, Beautiful and Talented beyond belief. The one and only Ms. Jackson… Janet if you Nastee.
Well said Trent. She is an icon who did things first and best. She has stayed humble with all of her success and is a great talent and humanitarian.
you better speak the truth!!!
Literally I almost cried looking at this. I couldn’t afford dance lessons so watching Janet’s videos and learning the choreography is what I would do. She taught me not only how to dance but how to PERFORM. She means alot to me. Thank you for doing this Trent.