The Magnificent Legacy of Janet (Or Ms. Jackson If You’re Nasty)

Janet’s four consecutive masterpieces: 1986’s “Control” (Copyright: A&M Records), 1989’s “Rhythm Nation 1814” (Copyright: A&M Records), 1993’s “janet.” (Copyright: Virgin Records), and 1997’s “The Velvet Rope” (Copyright: Virgin Records)

During her 45-year career, Janet Jackson has established herself as a legend and an icon with 10 #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, 5 Grammys, and one of the few spots occupied by a black woman in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But her astonishing artistry frequently gets overlook amidst her famous family, tabloid scandals, and evolving musical trends. In this article, I briefly review her life and career and countdown her greatest songs.

A Very Brief Biography of Janet Jackson

An early publicity shot from Janet’s early acting days (photo from IMDB.com)

The Early Years. Janet Jackson was born on May 16, 1966 in Gary, Indiana. She was the youngest of 10 children in a devout Jehovah’s Witness family. Before she turned 3 years old, her brothers formed the legendary group the Jackson 5 and signed a record deal with Motown. By the age of 7 she was performing. Interestingly, her first success was not in music (a profession she reportedly resisted entering as a child), but on television. She first appeared on the variety shows Cher and The Jacksons. She then appeared on 48 episodes of Good Times, 10 episodes of Diff’rent Strokes, seven episodes of Fame, and two episodes of The Love Boat — all before the age of 19.