Janette Jackson by licence

Janet Damita Jo Jackson   

Janet Jackson is an iconic American artist whose influence broke down barriers and made waves in music, dance, culture, and beyond. She forged a new path of innovation with her musically-rich records that addressed important social issues along with being unapologetically sexy. As she captivated audiences around the world through elaborate stage shows - becoming one of MTV's first superstars! - it was clear: Janet had cemented herself as an inspirational role model for youth everywhere.

The multi-talented Jackson family's youngest member, Janet, is an unstoppable force in pop music. After making her debut at the MGM Grand and hitting TV stardom on shows like Good Times and Diff'rent Strokes - she took over the industry with her signature sound when signing a contract with A&M Records in 1982. Over their decades-long collaboration together, record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have helped weave elements of disco funk & rap into Janet’s chart-topping hits such as Control (1986) & Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). Her diverse influences created waves that still rock our world today!

In 1991, Janet Jackson rocketed to superstardom as she broke records by signing an unprecedented double multimillion-dollar contract with Virgin Records. Her allure quickly became iconic after her first lead role in the 1993 film Poetic Justice and heightened further when two studio albums were released - 'Janet' (1993) and 'The Velvet Rope' (1997). These efforts, paired with unforgettable music videos and electrifying concerts elevated Ms.Jackson's status as one of history's most sensual performers worldwide. It comes as no surprise that Billboard magazine dubbed her America’s second most successful artist of the decade behind Mariah Carey!

Her seventh studio album, All for You, released in 2001 was not only a smashing success but also sparked an appreciation of her influence on the recording industry - so much that she was celebrated with MTV’s most esteemed honor – The Icon Special. However, controversy stirred up over Jackson's 2004 Super Bowl performance led to Les Moonves blacklisting her from radio promotion and restricting television appearances; this caused sales figures to take a dip until 2008 when Discipline arrived as part of Island Records' first collaboration with Janet!

In 2015, Janet Jackson took matters into her own hands to follow her creative vision - she partnered with BMG Rights Management and launched the visionary record label Rhythm Nation. That same year, this legendary songstress released Unbreakable which was only the beginning of a series of hits under her independent artist career!

Jackson has made music history, selling over 100 million records worldwide and becoming one of the world's best-selling artists. She boasts an impressive repertoire with iconic songs such as "Nasty," "Rhythm Nation" and "That's the Way Love Goes." In a feat never achieved before or since on Billboard Hot 100 singles chart by any female artist, she is credited for having seven commercial singles from her album RHYTHM NATION 1814 all recorded within its top five positions!

Janet Jackson has made an indelible mark on music history. Billboard Magazine crowned her the second most successful dance club artist of all time, after Madonna; she boasts five Grammy Awards, eleven Billboard Music Awards, and American Music awards each as well - not to mention a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Her prestigious career was recognized once more in 2019 with her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

Early life and career beginnings

Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born into a working-class African American family in Gary, Indiana on May 16th, 1966. The youngest of ten children living in a two-bedroom house - her mother played the piano and clarinet while yearning for country-western stardom; meanwhile, he father worked as an operator at U.S Steel and also strummed away with his own local rhythm & blues band to make ends meet! Additionally, their distant ancestors included not just US Army scouts – but fascinating Native American medicine men as well! Growing up in a big family, Janet was the youngest of nine; two sisters and six brothers. Her brother Brandon tragically passed away shortly after he was born, something that has no doubt left an indelible mark on her life. Throughout their childhood, they were brought up to be deeply religious Jehovah's Witnesses - though Janet would eventually move away from organized religion once she found independence as an adult.

Jackson's journey to stardom began in the Windy City when her brothers formed The Jackson 5 and secured a record deal with Motown. But it wasn't until they moved out West that their stars truly aligned as an unstoppable force of pop culture revolution. While she had dreams outside of entertainment - like becoming a jockey or lawyer - after belting into a microphone in the studio one fateful day, little did everyone know it was only the beginning for this incredible family!

At just seven years old, Jackson and her brother Randy had the opportunity to take center stage at Las Vegas's iconic MGM Casino. Joseph - their emotionally distant father – insisted they address him by his first name only ever since childhood. But that didn't stop them from achieving success: in 1976 they were cast as part of the popular variety show "The Jacksons".

In 1977, Janet Jackson made her break debut with a star-studded role in the classic sitcom Good Times. She later went on to appear on A New Kind of Family and Diff'rent Strokes, portraying Charlene Duprey from seasons three to six. But it was while playing Cleo Hewitt during the fourth season of Fame that she experienced an emotional roller coaster - due mainly because of her secret marriage at this time to R&B singer James DeBarge! Although Jackson revealed that cast members would often tease her as pranks; overall they were kindhearted towards one another and still hold fond memories for each other today.