- [Narrator] Her name is Janet,
but you can call her Ms. Jackson,
if you're nasty.
(upbeat R&B music)
The youngest Jackson sibling has entertained audiences
across the world for the last four decades.
With a musical resume packing hits like "Control,"
"Nasty, "Rhythm Nation," and "All for You,"
it's no wonder why she sold over 100 million records.
This singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer
holds a record for the most top 10 entries
on the Billboard 100, with 18,
and is the only artist with seven commercial singles
from one album, "Rhythm Nation 1814."
(upbeat R&B music)
Janet Jackson is one of the most awarded artists globally
with five Grammy Awards,
11 Billboard Awards,
and a Soul Train Music Lifetime Achievement Award,
to name a few.
Even though Janet was known for music,
her dance moves took center stage
in her concerts and music videos.
The choreography of Fred Astaire influenced Janet
and she helped make choreographers
like Tina Landon and Paula Abdul prominent.
The choreography of "Rhythm Nation"
has made it one of the most influential videos of all time.
Janet's originality has inspired artists like Missy Elliott,
Destiny's Child, and Ciara.
Janet Jackson's career started back in 1976,
acting on the variety TV series, "The Jacksons."
She then went on to have legendary roles in different shows,
including "Good Times," "Different Strokes", and "Fame."
- I understand that throughout most of your youth,
you never thought much about singing, did you?
- Well, not really, but I started when I was seven
with my brothers and my sisters in my family act
in Vegas at the MGM Grand,
and that's when I started.
Last time they heard me sing,
I think was when I was nine years old,
when we did the summer specials over the summer.
Then, after that I went into acting.
- So, now you're still a part
of the "Different Strokes" cast, right?
- Right, I play Charlene, Willis's girlfriend.
- Will this hit album you have change any of that?
- No. (laughs)
- I have a suspicion that acting is still your first love.
- I think it might be, but I enjoy them both a great deal.
- [Narrator] From 16 to 18,
Janet released her first two albums.
However, it was her third studio album "Control"
that helped her receive mainstream success.
The album, written with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis,
sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Two of the hit singles,
"Nasty" and "What Have You Done for Me Lately,"
were born out of self-defense.
One night, someone followed Janet home
and instead of calling for help,
she took a stand and backed them down.
That fearlessness helped shape Janet's career musically,
as she became more socially conscious
and adult with her music,
starting with "Rhythm Nation 1814."
Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990
became the most successful debut tour in history.
By the end of the 1990s,
she was the second most successful recording artist,
after Mariah Carey, and was named the Queen of Pop.
In 1993, Janet made her film debut in "Poetic Justice"
alongside Tupac.
Her ballad, "Again," written for the film,
received Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations
for Best Original Song.
Janet went on to release "The Velvet Rope"
and collaborate with artists like Shaggy, Blackstreet,
and Busta Rhymes on "What's It Gonna Be?!"
(upbeat R&B music)
The single was one of the most expensive
music videos produced and became a number one hit.
Another one of Janet's legendary collaborations
was with her brother, Michael Jackson.
"Scream" debuted at number five on the Hot 100 chart
and was listed in Guinness World Records
as the most expensive video made,
with a 13-piece set made to look like a spaceship.
It cost $7 million.
Janet's fashion influenced the eighties and nineties,
making her a style icon.
"Rhythm Nation" brought the military style
with its crisp lines and combat boots,
while Janet showed off a softer more feminine style
in "That's the Way Love Goes"
with her iconic little black vest.
Her style can still be seen on artists of today.
Janet Jackson used her music to help underserved communities
through music videos and tours to help with AIDS research
and disenfranchised youth.
Janet's legacy of incredible music,
videos, tours, and movies
has made it impossible to ignore her talent and brilliance.
- So.
(audience cheering)
You're still shy, huh, Janet?
(Janet laughing)
Congratulations on that fine recording.
And, of course, you have a great album going for you.
- Thank you very much.
- And you've been doing some things musically
that a lot of folks don't know about,
such as producing, writing.
- Writing and playing on the album,
playing keyboards, synthesizers, yeah.
- How long you been doing that?
- Well, I've been playing for a pretty long time.
But, no one ever really knew about it.
- Just didn't say nothing?
- No, I didn't.
- Kind of a different style to this album,
as far as age groups, and demographics, and maturity,
and that sort of thing?
- Yeah, it's a more mature album.
We didn't plan it that way, it just happened.
Everything came together from the song writing
all the way to the cover of the album.
It just came together that way.
- What's happening with your acting career?
- Well, right now, I'm concentrating on my singing.
But I'm still into acting
and I will do some in the future.
- Janet Jackson.
(audience cheering)
(upbeat R&B music)