JANET.br

for many who know me personally or who have followed me on social media, may know me as a diehard mariah fan. and yes, that is true and unwavering. but like many queer kids of my generation, i worship many gods and one of them is janet.

i fell in love with janet jackson the moment i saw her on the 1980’s sitcom, “diff’rent strokes.” this was long before her musical breakthrough in 1986 with her third album, “control.” while it seemed like everyone were left in complete awe by her brother michael jackson, i was captivated by the aura of janet jackson.

on september 19, 1989, “janet jackson’s rhythm nation: 1814,” one of the greatest albums of all time, was released. i don’t use the term “greatest” loosely. this album was not only a cultural phenomenon but it’s influence continues reverberate in the way pop/dance music and concept albums are produced and marketed.

the “rhythm nation” album was released with a long form music video that featured the album’s first two singles, “miss you much” and “rhythm nation.” the music videos were used as part of a storyline that centered two young people, who are janet jackson fans and dreaming of making it in the music business. maybe it was my 12 year-old queer lens, but i always read the boys as not “straight.” i wouldn’t quite say they were queer but they were boys i could relate to.

the album had its share of pop love songs, it was also included four songs that overtly tackled and names social issues like racism, homelessness, gun violence, the crack epidemic, education and survival sex work. and this was in 1989!

for me, what made this album so powerful and why it continues to be my favorite of all time, is because there is a subtext in both the visuals and songs that welcomes queerness and the families what we create outside or along side our bio fams.

whenever i sang, “we are a part of the rhythm nation!,” i did so while envisioning a world where i wasn’t teased, shamed or chased home. janet spoke in code because she knew that we were all trying to survive 1989. and she was right. here i am. alive and even sometimes thriving.

a few facts about janet jackson’s rhythm nation:

the album has sold over 11 million copies worldwide

despite being the top selling album of 1989, it was not nominated for in any of the major categories at the grammy’s.

janet was however nominated in the producer of the year category and won - becoming the first woman to do so.

a staggering 7 singles were officially released from the album and each one peaked in the top 5 of the billboard hot 100 - with 4 of those singles reaching the top spot.

rhythm nation is the first and only album to have a #1 pop single in 3 different calendar years: “miss you much” 1989 “escapade” and “black cat” 1990 “love will never do (without you)” 1991

Janet Jackson will be headlining huge R&B festivals in Australia & New Zealand Australia: #rnbfridayslive | 8-16 November 2019