Much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ segments, readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past. So in a quest to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday we introduced a new retrospective segment – ‘TGJ Replay’.
Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase albums (and eras) from a library of pop music hits. Next up? We ode birthday girl Janet Jackson’s (who turns 47 today) classic breakthrough album ‘Control‘.
More Miss Jackson (if ya nasty) below:
Despite tasting her own level of solo sucess on the acting front in the 70s and early 80s, 1985 was not seeing Janet -the youngest of the famed musical family The Jacksons – sing a similar tune about her ailing music career.
After the disappointing sales of her self-titled debut and its follow-up ‘Dream Street’, the year saw her return to the studio to rework the formula mixed to launch her to fame without the burden of her surname.
Watching the mega-success of brother Michael Jackson’s top selling ‘Thriller’ album and moderate success of brother Jermaine, coupled with a number of personal failures (see: annulled marriage to James Debarge, decision to sever ties with father Joseph as manager), purportedly provided the fuel for the burgeoning starlet’s quest for solo stardom.
That fuel would go to on fill Janet’s very own vehicle to notoriety – 1986’s ‘Control’.
‘Control’
Her third offering, the album would act as a commodious lyric and sonic departure from her two previous offerings while being the first to see her work with then up-and-coming producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. A rhythmic collection of hip hop, R&B, funk, pop, and the then-uncoined ‘New Jack Swing’, ‘Control’ served as music lover’s inaugural look at the young girl grown up.
A collection of declarations, the album birthed anthems like that of its namesake, ‘Nasty’, and ‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’.
‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’
‘Nasty’
Despite its #102 debut in February 1986, the album would go on to roost atop the Billboard 200 on the wings of the singer’s dynamic stage performances and groundbreaking Paula Abdul-choreographed music videos.
Tunes like ‘When I Think Of You’ and the legendary ‘Pleasure Principle’ would receive glowing reviews from fans and critics alike for their high octane choreography and cinematic story-telling. Instantly drawing comparison’s to the genre’s frontrunners Michael Jackson and Madonna.
‘When I Think Of You’
‘Pleasure Principle’
The critical acclaim didn’t stop there, however. The next year’s Grammy Awards saw the diva nab four nominations: Album of the Year, Best R&B Song for “What Have You Done for Me Lately”, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Non-Classical Producer of the Year for Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. This, in conjunction with earning a record-breaking twelve nominations from the American Music Awards (four wins), six Billboard Music Award wins, and a host of other industry recognitions.
The acclaim helped establish the youngest Jackson as a force to be reckoned with and was the first of many steps out of being “Michael Jackson’s younger sister”.
‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’ (live at 1987 Grammys)
‘Control’ (Live at 1987 American Music Awards)
By the time the dust settled and the young diva was en route of finishing its follow-up ‘Rhythm Nation’, the album was setting and/or breaking records on every side – most notably crowning Janet the first female artist to produce six top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 from a single album. Such success helped the album reach over 14 million in worldwide sales to date.
Not only establishing her dominance over the-then emerging music video culture, but also establishing her independence from the Jackson family.
‘Let’s Wait Awhile’
We use this post to ode one of our favorite divas and extend a very Happy Birthday wish to Miss Janet Damit Jo Jackson.
![Did You Miss It? Jennifer Hudson Rocked David Foster's 75th Birthday Bash with 'And I Am Telling You' & Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' [Watch]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/75th-birthday-thatgrapejuice-jennifer-hudson-david-foster-whitney-houston-hollywood-bowl-464x260.jpg "Did You Miss It? Jennifer Hudson Rocked David Foster's 75th Birthday Bash with 'And I Am Telling You' & Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' [Watch].")
![WOW! Tori Kelly Soars with Live Performance of Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing' at David Foster's 75th Birthday Bash [Video]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/david-foster-birthday-bash-2024-thatgrapejuice-tori-kelly-i-have-nothing-whitney-houston-464x260.jpg "WOW! Tori Kelly Soars with Live Performance of Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing' at David Foster's 75th Birthday Bash [Video].")
Yaaas i love this vocaless.
Her song Like a prayer is everything.
i hit it first i hit it first i hit it fiiirst
STFU you c** guzzling s*** bag!
Bey is good but JANET WAS IT!!!!!
SAM!!!!!!!! Y DIDN’T YOU PUT UP HER AMA LIVE PERFORMANCE OF CONTROL TO??!!! THAT WAS EPIC!!! anyway i love the live control and the grammys live performance you posted MOST and i loooove the nasty video!! but i love all the videos you posted. Good JOB Sam!! but post her AMA Control performance too please.
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH(screamin at the top of my lungs honey) SAAAAAMMMM I LOVE U!!!! U PUT IT UP!!! U PUT UP HER AMA PERFORMANCE!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! I knew this whole routine and im sweatn like hell up here doin it with her!! I was a little girl when she did this now im a FULL GROWN SISSY HONEY!! THANK U SAM THANK U SOOOOO MUCH I LOVE U!!! (hits replay and does the dance with Queen Janet! Im so happy right now im cryn)
Happy Birthday Ms. Janet!…I love this whole album but Pleasure Principal was my Fav.
Great Bday tribute to Queen Janet!!!
The Queen of all Queens. Luv Miss Jackson. Opz, I mean Mrs. Jackson. So iconic. and achieved so much in her carrer. Girls still trying to be her and get at her level.
“Control, Rhythm Nation 1814, J.A.N.E.T, The Velvet Rope & All For You”.
Five consecutive eras that made Ms. Jackson a Pop Icon & Legend.
I love her.
😉
who?
Your daddy you dumb b****!!!
Funky s***!!
Love Janet. She will always be Queen!!!
I have been listening to this backwards and forwards all week… drawing comparisons to this, and Solange’s TRUE EP. I love the whole under current theme of “f*** it, I’m here” that Control displayed.
Great era
Check out my music
http://soundcloud.com/chasesucks
I love Janet Jackson! The original Queen of Pop!
In my opinion,Janet is the queen of pop music & VELVET ROPE>>>>>>>>>>>Any album by a female artist
Next
HATA!!
NEXT is what the football team say to each other when they running a train on yo B**** ASS!!!
THE F****** QUEEN OF IT ALL BOW DOWN
Happy birthday Janet!
Oh its this LESSORS bday………? Who really gives a F***?. Shes so irrelevant.
that maadam muppet face B**** is who irrelevent! that b**** p**** lips hangs to her knees!!
Essential.
If you don’t have it in your iTunes Library , you are Losing too much.
ah and :
HAPPY B’DAY QUEEN JANET.
😀
@SAM :
Can we have a “Happy B’day JANET” Post @sam ?
Aren’t you a fan ?! 😉
ALTHOUGH I LOVE BEY, JANET WILL NEVER LOSE MY RESPECT AS AN ARTIST’ SHE WAS JUST SO DAMN AWSOME. “CONTROL”, “JANET”, “VELVET ROPE”, AND “ALL FOR YOU” ARE MY FAVORITE JANET ERAS.
Her music sucks
But Cassie’s music and career is nowhere to be found nor is it cared about today or will it be in any decade to come in the future.
B****, you can say Janet music sucks. BUT! You stan for DEVILWORSHIPPER Cassie. & The Devil aint even given her ass any hits. LOL What of a waste of selling your soul. LOL Now that b**** Cassie music sucks sooo bad her beauty cant even get it to crack any chart!
Oh look its Michaels lessor.
GO BATHE!!!!
Isnt this the lady who showed her titty at the superbowl?
Children please stay in a childs place
Yep, and she still a bad b^tch and well respected!! AND always will be!! BOW DOWN to the real Queen. The one that paved the way for most of the girls you see today.
I love Janet! I hope she comes back out!!!!
She won’t
She ain’t got s*** on King Bey.
what the hell does Beyawnce’ have to do with Janet’s birthday? Are you Hive’s that insecure that you have to talk about every other Diva? If Yawnce’ is so bad, there is no need to bash other female artists. Respect that!
Happy Birthday Queen Janet! She is my ultimate favorite Female artist. SHe set the trail for everyone of your favs and youngn’s need to take notes. It’s not about creditentials it’s about longevity!
Janet has both credentials and longevity..& you’re right,She set the trail
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the QUEEN. The one Britney, Bey, Christina and all the less thans ADMITTEDLY looked up to!!
One of her best records,”The Pleasure Principle” made me fall in love with her.
SHE THE QUEEN OF POP!!!
Queen of Pop tbh.
I hate to say this but Grannydonna is the queen of pop, i hate that b**** but da is the truth, imma need Janet to release something asap, Happy b’day my Queen.
HAPPY BIRTH DAY JANET!
Happy B’Day Miss Jackson if you’re nasty.
Oh its this LESSORS bday………? Who really gives a F***?. Shes so irrelevant.
—————————————–
Most Billboard Award Wins (33)
6 Grammy Awards
10 #1’s (Hot 100)
27 Top 10’s (Hot 100)
16 #1’s (R&B)
20 #1’s (Dance)
1 #1 (Rap)/ What’s It Gonna Be
1 #1 (Mainstream Rock) / Blackcat
6 #1 Albums (5 consecutive)
100 Million Albums sold > From mainly 5 studio albums and a Greatest Hits album.
1 of the top 4 Black female touring artists of all time(along with Tina, Whitney & Bey)
#2 artist of the 90’s behind Ma…riah!
—————————-
… For the record (Insult to injury)
3#1 Films
1 New York Times Best seller
———————————
@Jared
Five consecutive eras that made Ms. Jackson a Pop Icon & Legend.
Exactly! The stans of that M-girl better thank their lucky stars Superbowl happened because Janet would have easily had 5 more consecutive problems for everyone!
————————————–
4 words … What Makes A Legend!
Happy Birthday to Janet Jackson!
Happy birthday to Janet Jackson <3 she always puts me in the best moods 🙂 this album is iconic begining to end.
I still listen to this and most of her albums. She’s epic and a true legend, a true Icon, a true Queen of Pop and R&B. These kid throw those words around too loosely today. Just think, thru her career, you had her, MJ, Prince, Madonna, Whitney, Mariah dropping albums, some at the same time and they ALL had their shine and all are Icons. This is why we need to stop putting other artist down to bring one up, cause with competition, it will bring out the best in your fave and other’s faves. Today music is too lazy, theres no sparks. And for the Hives, Monsters, Navi and others, your fave will NEVER have a career like Janet. There’s a line between current and legend, hot right now and icon.
I’m not a fan of Janet’s at all, but even I have to admit, Control is a GREAT album. I’ve been listening to it a lot for about 2 years now and it is just flawless.