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 socially conscious music. Her provocative records and elaborate stage shows significantly impacted MTV's growth, breaking gender and racial barriers. Jackson's lyrical focus on social issues and personal experiences established her as a role model for youth. She is considered a pop icon due to her musical achievements and impact on entertainment and culture.
1976: Acting in The Jacksons Variety Show
In 1976, Janet Jackson began acting in the variety show The Jacksons.
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1977: Starring Role in Good Times
In 1977, Janet Jackson was selected to have a starring role as Penny Gordon Woods in the sitcom Good Times.
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1982: Early Career and Independence from Jackson Family
In 1982, Janet Jackson began her professional career, striving to distance herself from her older brother Michael and the rest of the Jackson family.
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1982: Signed with A&M Records
In 1982, Janet Jackson signed a recording contract with A&M Records, marking the beginning of her professional music career.
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1982: Release of Debut Album Janet Jackson
In 1982, Janet Jackson's debut album, Janet Jackson, was released by A&M Records.
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1985: Beginning of top ten and top 40 hits
From 1985 to 2001, Janet Jackson garnered 27 top ten hits.
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February 1986: Release of Control Album
In February 1986, Janet Jackson released her third studio album, Control, which quickly rose to No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
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1986: Mention of Control Album
In 1986, Janet Jackson released her album 'Control'.
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1986: Influence on contemporary R&B with Control
In 1986, Janet Jackson released the album Control, which helped invent contemporary R&B through muscular, lean production by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
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1986: Release of Control
In 1986, Janet Jackson released the album Control, which launched her into pop icon status.
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1986: Decade of Success
The album Design of a Decade: 1986-1996, released in 1995, captured a decade of Janet Jackson's success beginning in 1986.
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September 1989: Release of Rhythm Nation 1814 Album
In September 1989, Janet Jackson released her fourth album, Rhythm Nation 1814, which included a socially conscious theme.
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1989: Start of Consecutive Top Ten Hits
In 1989, Janet Jackson released "Miss You Much", beginning a streak of 18 consecutive top ten hit singles.
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1989: Mention of Rhythm Nation 1814
In 1989, Janet Jackson released her album 'Rhythm Nation 1814'.
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1989: Release of Rhythm Nation 1814
In 1989, Janet Jackson released the album Rhythm Nation 1814, further solidifying her pop icon status.
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1989: Influence on contemporary R&B with Rhythm Nation 1814
In 1989, Janet Jackson released the album Rhythm Nation 1814, which helped invent contemporary R&B through muscular, lean production by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
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1990: Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990
In 1990, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 became the most successful debut tour in history and established the "Rhythm Nation Scholarship".
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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.
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1992: Guest Vocals 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", which became a top ten hit.
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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.
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July 1993: Film Debut in Poetic Justice
In July 1993, Janet Jackson made her film debut in Poetic Justice, receiving Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for "Best Original Song" with "Again".
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1993: Focus on Sexual Themes with "Janet"
In 1993, Janet Jackson began focusing on sexual themes in her music with the album "Janet", which was seen as a shift in her public image.
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1993: Leading Role in Poetic Justice and Janet Album Release
In 1993, Janet Jackson established herself as a sex symbol with a leading role in the film Poetic Justice, and released the album Janet.
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1993: Use of street dancing techniques in 'Rhythm Nation 1814' film
In 1993, Janet Jackson utilized street dancing techniques in her 30-minute Rhythm Nation 1814 film, in contrast to traditional choreography.
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1995: Release of Scream with Michael Jackson
In 1995, Janet Jackson collaborated with Michael Jackson on "Scream", which debuted at number five on the Hot 100.
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1995: Release of Design of a Decade: 1986-1996
In 1995, Janet Jackson's first compilation album, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996, was released.
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1996: Success of Runaway
In 1996, the lead single, "Runaway", became the first song by a female artist to debut within the top ten of the Hot 100, reaching number three.
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August 1997: Release of "Got 'til It's Gone"
In August 1997, Janet Jackson released the lead single "Got 'til It's Gone", featuring guest vocals from Joni Mitchell and Q-Tip.
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October 1997: Release of The Velvet Rope
In October 1997, Janet Jackson released her sixth album, The Velvet Rope, which chronicled her experiences with severe depression and anxiety.
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1997: Release of The Velvet Rope
In 1997, Janet Jackson released The Velvet Rope album.
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1997: Release of "The Velvet Rope" and Exploration of Love and Lust
In 1997, Janet Jackson released the album "The Velvet Rope", which explored the bonds of love and lust.
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1998: End of Consecutive Top Ten Hits
In 1998, Janet Jackson released "I Get Lonely", ending a streak of 18 consecutive top ten hit singles.
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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".
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July 2000: Appearance in Nutty Professor II: The Klumps and Release of "Doesn't Really Matter"
In July 2000, Janet Jackson appeared in "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" and her single "Doesn't Really Matter" became her ninth number-one single on the Hot 100.
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April 2001: Release of "All for You"
In April 2001, Janet Jackson's seventh album, "All for You", was released, achieving the highest first-week sales of her career and receiving generally positive reception.
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July 2001: All for You Tour
In July 2001, Janet Jackson embarked on the All for You Tour, which was also broadcast on HBO and watched by twelve million viewers.
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2001: End of top ten hits
From 1985 to 2001, Janet Jackson garnered 27 top ten hits.
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2001: MTV Icon Special and Billboard Success
In 2001, Janet Jackson was the subject of the first MTV Icon special, coinciding with the release of her album All for You. By the end of 2001, she joined her brother Michael as one of the few artists to score ten Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.
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March 2004: Release of "Damita Jo"
In March 2004, Janet Jackson's eighth studio album, "Damita Jo", was released, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and receiving mixed reviews overshadowed by the Super Bowl incident.
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2004: End of Consecutive Top 40 Hits
From 1985 through 2004, Janet Jackson had 33 consecutive top 40 hits.
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June 2005: Humanitarian Award by 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 for her involvement in raising money for AIDS charities.
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2005: Recording of 20 Y.O.
In 2005, Janet Jackson began recording her ninth studio album, "20 Y.O.", with producers Dupri, Jam, and Lewis.
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September 2006: Release of "20 Y.O."
In September 2006, Janet Jackson's album "20 Y.O." was released, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and receiving mixed reviews.
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2007: Starring in "Why Did I Get Married?"
In 2007, Janet Jackson starred in the film "Why Did I Get Married?", which became her third consecutive film to open at number one at the box office.
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February 2008: Image Award and Vanguard Award
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 GLAAD Media Awards for promoting equal rights in the LGBT community.
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February 2008: Release of "Discipline"
In February 2008, Janet Jackson's tenth studio album, "Discipline", was released, opening at number one.
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September 2008: Rock Witchu Tour Begins and Departure from Island Records
In September 2008, Janet Jackson's Rock Witchu Tour began, and she parted with Island Records through mutual agreement due to dissatisfaction with the album's handling.
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2008: Release of Discipline
In 2008, Janet Jackson released her tenth studio album Discipline, her only album with Island Records.
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November 2009: Release of "Number Ones"
In November 2009, Janet Jackson's second hits compilation, "Number Ones", was released, and she performed a medley of hits at various events for promotion.
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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?", which opened at number two.
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November 2010: Starring in "For Colored Girls"
In November 2010, Janet Jackson starred as Joanna in the drama "For Colored Girls", which is the film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's 1975 play.
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February 2011: Release of "True You"
In February 2011, Janet Jackson released her self-help book "True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself", which chronicled her struggle with weight and confidence.
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2012: Endorsement of Nutrisystem and Contributions to Charity
In 2012, Janet Jackson endorsed Nutrisystem, donating ten million dollars in meals to the hungry, and was honored by amfAR for her contributions to AIDS research.
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May 16, 2015: Announcement of New Album and World Tour
On May 16, 2015, Janet Jackson announced plans to release a new album and embark on a world concert tour under her own record label, Rhythm Nation.
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June 15, 2015: Announcement of Unbreakable World Tour Dates and Release of "No Sleeep"
On June 15, 2015, Janet Jackson announced the first set of dates for her Unbreakable World Tour and released the lead single "No Sleeep".
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September 3, 2015: Release of "Unbreakable"
On September 3, 2015, Janet Jackson's title track "Unbreakable" was released on Apple Music's Beats 1 radio station and became available for pre-order on iTunes.
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September 24, 2015: Debut of "Burnitup!" featuring Missy Elliott
On September 24, 2015, Janet Jackson's song "Burnitup!" featuring Missy Elliott debuted on BBC Radio 1.
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October 2, 2015: Release of "Unbreakable" album
On October 2, 2015, Janet Jackson's album Unbreakable was released to largely positive reviews and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
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October 2015: First Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination
In October 2015, Janet Jackson received her first nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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2015: Launch of Rhythm Nation Record Label
In 2015, Janet Jackson partnered with BMG Rights Management to launch her own record label, Rhythm Nation, and released her eleventh studio album, Unbreakable, the same year.
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2015: BET Ultimate Icon Award and New Music Announcement
In 2015, Janet Jackson received the inaugural Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual award at the BET Awards, which featured a dance tribute to her. She also announced the launch of a luxury jewelry line and previewed her new song "The Great Forever", confirming her upcoming album as Unbreakable.
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April 6, 2016: Tour Postponement for Family Planning
On April 6, 2016, Janet Jackson announced she was "planning her family" with husband Wissam Al Mana, leading to the postponement of her tour.
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May 1, 2017: Resumption of the Unbreakable World Tour
On May 1, 2017, Janet Jackson announced she would resume her Unbreakable World Tour, which was renamed the State of the World Tour.
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September 7, 2017: Launch of the State of the World Tour
On September 7, 2017, Janet Jackson launched the revamped State of the World Tour, refocusing the tour's theme to reflect socially conscious messages.
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May 2018: Billboard Icon Award
In May 2018, it was announced that Janet Jackson would receive the Billboard Icon Award at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.
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August 16, 2018: Partnership with Cinq Music Group and New Single
On August 16, 2018, it was announced that Janet Jackson and Rhythm Nation had partnered with Cinq Music Group. The next day, Jackson released the single "Made for Now", a collaboration with Daddy Yankee.
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October 2018: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination
In October 2018, Janet Jackson received her third nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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February 26, 2019: Announcement of Las Vegas Residency
On February 26, 2019, Janet Jackson announced a four-month Las Vegas residency entitled Metamorphosis at the Park Theater at Park MGM resort.
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November 2019: Rhythm Nation Anniversary Concerts
In November 2019, Janet Jackson performed a series of concerts in support of the 30th anniversary of the Rhythm Nation album in Welch Treasure Island Resort & Casino, San Francisco and Hawaii.
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2020: Postponement of Black Diamond World Tour and Album Announcement
In 2020, Janet Jackson postponed the Black Diamond World Tour indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and announced her upcoming twelfth studio album Black Diamond.
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March 3, 2022: Essence Music Festival Headliner
On March 3, 2022, Janet Jackson was announced as a headliner of the 2022 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
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December 12, 2022: Announcement of "Together Again" Tour
On December 12, 2022, Janet Jackson announced her "Together Again" tour starting April 14, 2023, and teased new music.
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March 8, 2023: Follow-up Documentary Series Announced
On March 8, 2023, Lifetime and A&E announced a follow-up documentary series, Janet Jackson: Family First, following Jackson as she prepares for her Together Again Tour and reunites the family band.
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April 14, 2023: Start of Together Again Tour
On April 14, 2023, Janet Jackson's "Together Again" tour started.
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August 21, 2024: Announcement of New Las Vegas Residency
On August 21, 2024, Janet Jackson announced a new Las Vegas concert residency, Janet Jackson: Las Vegas, which began on December 30, 2024.
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December 30, 2024: Start of New Las Vegas Residency
On December 30, 2024, Janet Jackson's new Las Vegas concert residency began.
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January 14, 2025: Additional Shows Announced for Las Vegas Residency
On January 14, 2025, Janet Jackson announced six additional shows for May of the same year for her Las Vegas residency.
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