There’s only one Janet Jackson. The music and pop culture icon has spent decades breaking the mold and breaking records, cementing herself as one of the greatest pop acts ever. Fresh off her two-year “Together Again” World Tour, this week the “Rhythm Nation” singer announced her Vegas residency.
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In honor of the announcement, we’re looking back at some of Jackson’s most iconic performances to date. From moving renditions of her biggest hits on morning shows to smashing moments at award ceremonies, Jackson has delivered dozens of culture-shifting moments over the years.
With so many performances to choose from, we’ve singled out five that not only stand out above the rest, but chart Jackson’s historic rise as one of the best in pop to ever do it.
1987 Grammy Awards: What Have You Done For Me Lately/Nasty
“Gimme a beat!” With three words, Jackson took over the world with her hit single, “Nasty” in 1986. Along with “What Have You Done For Me Lately” and other singles, Jackson’s third studio album “Control” serves as her true debut, a culture-shifting album that took her all the way to the Grammy stage. Jackson’s big Grammys splash included a high-octane performance of those two singles, complete with a live band and signature Janet choreography. As she breaks it down for those in the audience and at home, we get a peak at the brilliance Janet would reveal to us for decades to come.
1990 American Music Awards: Escapade
Choosing a live performance from the “Rhythm Nation” era is a next-to-impossible task. With timeless singles like the title track, “Miss You Much,” “Love Will Never Do (Without You),” and more, Jackson spent years promoting and delivering countless performances from the iconic record. For our money, however, we’re sticking with her 1990 performance of “Escapade” at the “American Music Awards.” Dance forward in a way that only a Jackson could pull off, this stellar moment brings viewers a thrilling and unforgettable performance of one of her catchiest hits.
1993 VMAs: That’s The Way Love Goes/If
Deep in her “Janet.” era, the singer’s sound and image shifted tremendously from the “Rhythm Nation” looks fans were used to. Jackson leaned further into R&B with this album, meditating on themes of sensuality and liberation. During a truly one-of-a-kind performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, Jackson performed a medley of her hit singles “That’s The Way Love Goes” and “If,” once again bringing the house down with a performance most pop acts could only dream of. The dance break during “If” is one for the record books, that has fans to this day trying to nail the intricate and addictive choreography.
The Rosie O’Donnell Show 1998: I Get Lonely
One of her most intimate performances, Jackson appeared on The Rosie O’Donnell Show in 1998, promoting her acclaimed six studio album, “The Velvet Rope.” With a couple of backup singers and a keyboardist, Janet croons her hypnotic “I Get Lonely” single, showing off her vocals and sheer star power without a single moment of dance. The chill-inducing performance showcases just how one-of-one Jackson is, able to get her crowds jumping on their feet in one setting, and in the palm of her hand with just a stool and a microphone in another.
Billboard Music Awards: Icon Award Medley
We love it whenever an icon gets their flowers, and Jackson’s Billboard Music Awards moment in 2018 is no exception. Performing “Nasty” and a fan-favorite cut from her “Janet.” era, “Throb,” Jackson delivers a performance only she can provide, with signature Janet moves, notes, and attitude, before accepting the Icon Award. Try not to get chills when she asks the audience, “What’s my name, ya’ll?!” Of course, they reply with a scream, “Janet!”
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