Career Timeline of Janet Jackson: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Janet Jackson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Janet Jackson is a highly influential American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. Known for her innovative and provocative music, she broke gender and racial barriers on MTV, becoming a role model for youth. Her lyrics often addressed social issues and personal experiences, solidifying her impact on music and popular culture.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1976: Acting in The Jacksons Variety Show

In 1976, Janet Jackson began acting in the variety show The Jacksons.

1977: Role in Good Times

In 1977, Janet Jackson was selected to have a starring role as Penny Gordon Woods in the sitcom Good Times.

1982: Signing with A&M Records

In 1982, Janet Jackson signed a recording contract with A&M Records, marking the beginning of her professional music career.

1982: Release of Debut Album Janet Jackson

In 1982, Janet Jackson's debut album, Janet Jackson, was released by A&M Records.

1985: Achieved 27 Top Ten Hits Between 1985 and 2001

From 1985 to 2001, Janet Jackson garnered 27 top ten hits.

February 1986: Release of Control Album

In February 1986, Janet Jackson released her third studio album, Control, which became a commercial success and reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

1986: Design of a Decade: 1986-1996 Timeframe

1986 marks one end of the timeframe from Janet Jackson's Design of a Decade: 1986–1996.

1986: Control Album

In 1986, Janet Jackson proclaimed herself in charge of her life on her album Control.

September 1989: Release of Rhythm Nation 1814 Album

In September 1989, Janet Jackson released her fourth album, Rhythm Nation 1814, incorporating socially conscious themes and various musical styles.

1989: Release of "Miss You Much"

In 1989, Janet Jackson released "Miss You Much", initiating a streak of 18 consecutive top ten hit singles on the Hot 100 chart.

1989: Release of Rhythm Nation 1814 Album

In 1989, Janet Jackson released the album Rhythm Nation 1814, further cementing her status as a pop icon and showcasing her innovative sound and choreography.

1990: Rhythm Nation World Tour and Cultural Impact

In 1990, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 became the most successful debut tour in history, with the establishment of the "Rhythm Nation Scholarship" and acknowledgment for the cultural impact of her music.

1991: Signing with Virgin Records

In 1991, Janet Jackson signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Virgin Records, becoming the highest-paid recording artist at the time and establishing her reputation as the "Queen of Pop".

1992: Collaboration on "The Best Things in Life Are Free"

In 1992, Janet Jackson provided guest vocals on Luther Vandross's "The Best Things in Life Are Free", achieving international success.

May 1993: Release of Janet Album

In May 1993, Janet Jackson's fifth studio album Janet was released, opening at number one on the Billboard 200 and selling over 14 million copies worldwide.

July 1993: Film Debut in Poetic Justice

In July 1993, Janet Jackson made her film debut in Poetic Justice and her ballad "Again" received Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.

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1993: Film Role in Poetic Justice and Album Janet

In 1993, Janet Jackson starred in the film Poetic Justice and released the album Janet, solidifying her image as a sex symbol and one of the highest-paid artists.

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1995: Collaboration with Michael Jackson on Scream

In 1995, Janet Jackson collaborated with Michael Jackson on "Scream", responding to media scrutiny.

1995: Release of Design of a Decade: 1986-1996

In 1995, Janet Jackson released her first compilation album, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996.

1996: Success of Runaway

In 1996, Janet Jackson's "Runaway" became the first song by a female artist to debut within the top ten of the Hot 100.

August 1997: Release of "Got 'til It's Gone"

In August 1997, Janet Jackson released "Got 'til It's Gone" as the lead single, featuring Joni Mitchell and Q-Tip. The song's music video later won a Grammy Award.

October 1997: Release of The Velvet Rope Album

In October 1997, Janet Jackson released The Velvet Rope, an album chronicling her experiences with severe depression and anxiety, marking a dramatic change in her image and exploring themes of social issues and sexuality.

1997: Release of The Velvet Rope Album

In 1997, Janet Jackson released The Velvet Rope album, further establishing her image as a sex symbol.

1998: Release of "I Get Lonely"

In 1998, Janet Jackson released "I Get Lonely", marking the end of a streak of 18 consecutive top ten hit singles on the Hot 100 chart that began in 1989 with "Miss You Much".

1999: Legend Award at World Music Awards

In 1999, Janet Jackson received the Legend Award at the World Music Awards for her outstanding contribution to the pop industry. Billboard also ranked her as the second most successful artist of the decade, only behind Mariah Carey.

July 2000: Appearance in Nutty Professor II: The Klumps

In July 2000, Janet Jackson appeared in her second film, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, playing Professor Denise Gaines alongside Eddie Murphy. The film opened at number one and grossed $170 million worldwide. Her single "Doesn't Really Matter", from the film's soundtrack, also became her ninth number-one single.

April 2001: Release of All for You album

In April 2001, Janet Jackson released her seventh album, All for You, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 605,000 copies sold in its first week, becoming the highest first-week sales of her career. The album received positive reviews for its upbeat dance style and was later certified double Platinum by the RIAA.

July 2001: Start of the All for You Tour

In July 2001, Janet Jackson started the All for You Tour, which was also broadcast as a concert special on HBO, watched by twelve million viewers. The tour included dates in the United States and Japan. Jackson donated a portion of the tour's proceeds to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

2001: Achieved 27 Top Ten Hits Between 1985 and 2001

From 1985 to 2001, Janet Jackson garnered 27 top ten hits.

2001: MTV Icon Special and Billboard Success

In 2001, Janet Jackson's seventh studio album All for You was released, coinciding with her being the subject of the first MTV Icon special and achieving ten number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

February 2004: Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show Performance

In February 2004, Janet Jackson performed at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show. During the performance of "Rock Your Body" with Justin Timberlake, Timberlake tore open her costume, exposing her breast to 140 million viewers, an incident later dubbed "nipple gate" by the media.

March 2004: Release of Damita Jo album

In March 2004, Janet Jackson's eighth studio album, Damita Jo, was released, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200. The album received mixed reviews and was certified Platinum by the RIAA within a month, selling over three million copies worldwide.

November 2004: Honored by 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

In November 2004, Janet Jackson was honored as a role model by 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and received the organization's Artistic Achievement Award. The award was given in recognition of her successful career.

2004: Achieved 33 Consecutive Top 40 Hits

From 1985 through 2004, Janet Jackson achieved 33 consecutive top 40 hits.

June 2005: Humanitarian Award from Human Rights Campaign and AIDS Project Los Angeles

In June 2005, Janet Jackson was honored with a Humanitarian Award by the Human Rights Campaign and AIDS Project Los Angeles. The award recognized her involvement in raising money for AIDS charities.

2005: Recording of 20 Y.O. album

In 2005, Janet Jackson began recording her ninth studio album, 20 Y.O., with producers Dupri, Jam, and Lewis. The album's title referenced the 20th anniversary of her breakthrough album, Control.

September 2006: Release of 20 Y.O. album

In September 2006, Janet Jackson's album 20 Y.O. was released and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The album received mixed reviews.

2007: Starring in Why Did I Get Married?

In 2007, Janet Jackson starred opposite Tyler Perry in the film Why Did I Get Married?, playing a psychotherapist. The film opened at number one at the box office and grossed $60 million.

February 2008: Image Award and Vanguard Award

Also in February 2008, Janet Jackson won an Image Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture" and was awarded the Vanguard Award at the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards, honoring her contributions in promoting equal rights among the gay community.

February 2008: Release of Discipline album

In February 2008, Janet Jackson released her tenth studio album, Discipline, which opened at number one. The album's first single "Feedback" peaked at number nineteen on the Hot 100 and nine on Pop Songs.

March 2008: Janet Jackson Ranked Among Top Selling Artists

In March 2008, Janet Jackson was recognized as one of the top ten selling artists in contemporary music history, as reported by Business Wire. Billboard magazine ranked her as the ninth most successful act in rock and roll history and the second most successful female artist in pop music history.

September 2008: Beginning of Rock Witchu Tour and parting with Island Records

In September 2008, Janet Jackson's fifth concert tour, the Rock Witchu Tour, began. She also parted ways with Island Records through mutual agreement due to dissatisfaction with the handling of her album and its promotion.

2008: Release of Discipline Album

In 2008, Janet Jackson released her tenth studio album Discipline with Island Records.

November 2009: Release of Number Ones compilation album

In November 2009, Janet Jackson released her second hits compilation album, Number Ones (retitled The Best internationally). She performed a medley of hits at various events to promote the album, and her promotional single "Make Me" became her nineteenth number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

April 2010: Reprising Role in Why Did I Get Married Too?

In April 2010, Janet Jackson reprised her role in the sequel to Why Did I Get Married? titled Why Did I Get Married Too?. The film opened at number two, grossing sixty million. Jackson's performance earned her an Image Award for "Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture".

November 2010: Ranked in Billboard's Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists

In November 2010, Billboard ranked Janet Jackson as number five on its "Top 50 R&B / Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years" list. She was also recognized as the top artist on the chart with 15 number-one hits in the past twenty-five years.

November 2010: Starring in For Colored Girls

In November 2010, Janet Jackson starred as Joanna in the drama For Colored Girls, the film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's 1975 play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Her performance earned Black Reel Awards nominations.

February 2011: Release of True You book

In February 2011, Janet Jackson released her self-help book, True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself, co-written with David Ritz. She also signed a film production contract with Lions Gate Entertainment.

True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself

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October 2015: First Nomination for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In October 2015, Janet Jackson received her first nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2015: Partnership with BMG and Rhythm Nation Label Launch

In 2015, Janet Jackson partnered with BMG Rights Management to launch her own record label, Rhythm Nation, and released her eleventh studio album, Unbreakable.