Janet Jackson

Artist Image: Janet Jackson

Biography

Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years. The youngest child of the Jackson family, she began her career with the variety television series The Jacksons in 1976 and went on to appear in other television shows throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, including Good Times and Fame. After signing a recording contract with A&M in 1982, she came to prominence following the release of her third studio album Control (1986). Her collaborations with record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis incorporated elements of rhythm and blues, funk, disco, rap, and industrial beats, which led to crossover appeal in popular music. In addition to receiving recognition for the innovation in her records, choreography, music videos, and prominence on radio airplay and MTV, she was acknowledged as a role model for her socially conscious lyrics. In 1991, she signed the first of two record-breaking, multi-million dollar contracts with Virgin Records, establishing her as one of the highest paid artists in the industry. Her debut album under the label, Janet (1993), saw her develop a public image as a sex symbol as she began to explore sexuality in her work. That same year, she appeared in her first starring film role in Poetic Justice; since then she has continued to act in feature films. By the end of the 1990s, Billboard named her the second most successful recording artist of the decade, following Mariah Carey. She has amassed an extensive catalog of hits, with singles such as "Nasty", "Rhythm Nation", "That's the Way Love Goes", "Together Again", and "All for You" her most iconic. Having sold over 100 million records, she is ranked as one of the best-selling artists in the history of contemporary music. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) lists her as the eleventh best-selling female artist in the United States, with 26 million certified albums. In 2008, Billboard magazine released its list of the Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists, ranking her at number seven. In 2010, the magazine announced the "Top 50 R&B / Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years", ranking her at number five. One of the world's most awarded artists, her longevity, records and achievements reflect her influence in shaping and redefining the scope of popular music. She has been cited as an inspiration among numerous performers.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed
Number of Albums 50
Record Label
Website janetjackson.com
Wikipedia Janet Jackson on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Genres

Trivia

What was the peak number of her album on the Billboard 200?

63

...d recording in the studio at a very young age. The album peaked at number 63 on Billboard 200 and at number six on R&B Albums chart. In 1984, Jackson ...
At what number did her album peaked on the R&B Albums chart?

six

...y young age. The album peaked at number 63 on Billboard 200 and at number six on R&B Albums chart. In 1984, Jackson released her second album Dream St...
What year did Jackson release her second album?

1984

... at number 63 on Billboard 200 and at number six on R&B Albums chart. In 1984 , Jackson released her second album Dream Street. The album was moderatel...
What was the name of Jackson's second album in 1984?

Dream Street

... six on R&B Albums chart. In 1984, Jackson released her second album Dream Street . The album was moderately successful, peaking at number 147 on Billb...
At what number did Dream Street peak on the Billboard 200?

147

...lbum Dream Street. The album was moderately successful, peaking at number 147 on Billboard 200 and at number 19 on R&B Albums chart. Its lead single D...
What number did Jackson's single "Dont Stand Another Chance" reach?

nine

...Albums chart. Its lead single Dont Stand Another Chance peaked at number nine on Billboards R&B Singles chart. Continuous tiffs with her father led Ja...
What led Jackson to walk away from her father's shadow?

Continuous tiffs

...ther Chance peaked at number nine on Billboards R&B Singles chart. Continuous tiffs with her father led Jackson to walk away from his shadow. She then...
When did Jackson release her third album "Control"?

1986

... with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to come up with her third album Control ( 1986 ) which became a major hit. The album peaked at number one on Billboard 2...
How many times platinum was Control certified by the RIAA?

five

...hird album Control (1986) which became a major hit. The album peaked at number one on Billboard 200 and was certified five times platinum by the RIAA....
What record label did Jackson and her siblings sign in 1968?

Motown Records

...e Jackson Five the siblings later on, at the end of 1968, signed to Motown Records and by the end of the following year, they recorded their first of ...
What was the name of the first single recorded by Motown Records?

I Want You Back

...ng year, they recorded their first of four historymaking 1 singles, I Want You Back . Born into a family of showbusiness icons, Janet has gone on to be...
At what age had Janet dreamed of becoming a horse jockey?

7

...ter she had successfully proven her vocal quality. To begin, by the age of 7 Janet had been dreaming to be a horse jockey concerning a growing infatua...
What was Janet's dream job?

horse jockey

...l quality. To begin, by the age of 7 Janet had been dreaming to be a horse jockey concerning a growing infatuation with horses. As fate would have it ...
Who was trying to find a new variety act after Sonny & Cher had ended?

Fred Silverman

... By 1976 Janet and the family's Vegas act got the attention of CBS' Fred Silverman who was desperately trying to find a new variety act after Sonny & ...
Who spotted Janet's talent?

Norman Lear

...anet was 11 years old her talent was spotted by legendary TV producer Norman Lear , who was looking for someone to help gain back ratings in one of his...
How old was Janet when she was spotted?

11

...w lasted only two seasons and was canceled in 1977. At the time Janet was 11 years old her talent was spotted by legendary TV producer Norman Lear, wh...
What is Jackson ranked as one of the bestselling artists in contemporary music?

having released an array of multiplatinum albums

... of the bestselling artists in contemporary music, having released an array of multiplatinum albums like Control, Rhythm Nation 1814 and Janet, in col...
What was the name of the twin brother that died within 24 hours of Katherine's birth?

Brandon

... up in the affluence of a show business family. (Marlon's twin brother, Brandon , had died within 24 hours of the twins' premature birth in 1957.) The ...
Which faith were the Jackson children raised in?

Jehovah's Witness

... premature birth in 1957.) The Jackson children were raised in the Jehovah's Witness faith, as Katherine Jackson had been baptized as a Witness in the...
When did Janet Jackson first appear onstage?

April 1974

...t and superstar. Early Career Janet Jackson first appeared onstage in April 1974 , singing and doing impressions alongside brother Randy in the Jackson...
What did Jane and her other siblings dispute?

La Toya's account

...r tellall autobiography, but Janet and her other siblings disputed La Toya's account . The tensions within the family certainly increased on account of...
In what year did she appear on The Jacksons?

1976

...mpressions alongside brother Randy in the Jackson family's Las Vegas act. In 1976 , she appeared on The Jacksons, a summer replacement television show....
What was the name of the summer replacement television show?

The Jacksons

...mpressions alongside brother Randy in the Jackson family's Las Vegas act. In 1976, she appeared on The Jacksons , a summer replacement television show....
What band did her brothers form after her birth?

The Jackson 5

...After her birth, her brothers formed a band later called The Jackson 5 . She lived at home with her sisters, while her brothers and father lived an ext...
When did she get the part of Penny Gordon on Good Times?

1977

...t of the family, she costarred with the rest of them in The Jacksons. In 1977 , she got the part of Penny Gordon on Good Times. That showed her acting ...
What TV show did she make a few memorable appearances as?

Diff'rent Strokes

...y on. She also made a few memorable appearances on the hit TV show Diff'rent Strokes as Charlene Dupree. Soon afterwards came her role on Fame. She ma...
What year was Janet Damita Jo Jackson born?

1966

...golfer, see Janet Jackson (golfer). Born Janet Damita Jo Jackson May 16, 1966 (age 56) Gary, Indiana, U.S. She is noted for her innovative, socially c...
In what state is she from?

Indiana

...kson (golfer). Born Janet Damita Jo Jackson May 16, 1966 (age 56) Gary, Indiana , U.S. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually...
How old is she at the time of her birth?

56

...ee Janet Jackson (golfer). Born Janet Damita Jo Jackson May 16, 1966 (age 56 ) Gary, Indiana, U.S. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious ...
What was the catalyst for the growth of MTV?

Her sound and choreography

...xually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreography became a catalyst in the growth of MTV, enabling her to rise ...
Lyrical content that focused on social issues set her reputation as a role model for what?

youth

...nt which focused on social issues set her reputation as a role model for youth . The tenth and youngest child of the Jackson family, she began her care...
What was the name of the tenth and youngest child of the Jackson family?

Janet Damita Jo Jackson

...ckson (album). For the golfer, see Janet Jackson (golfer). Born Janet Damita Jo Jackson May 16, 1966 (age 56) Gary, Indiana, U.S. She is noted for her...
Where did she begin her career performing?

MGM Grand

...st child of the Jackson family, she began her career performing at the MGM Grand . Later she appeared in the variety television series The Jacksons in ...
In what year did she sign a recording contract with A&M Records?

1982

...trokes, and Fame. After signing a recording contract with A&M Records in 1982 , she became a pop icon following the release of her third and fourth stu...
What was the name of her third and fourth studio albums?

Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989).

...ng the release of her third and fourth studio albums Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). Her collaborations with record producers Jimmy Jam ...
When was Jackson' Rhythm Nation 1814 released?

1989

...er third and fourth studio albums Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 ( 1989 ). Her collaborations with record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis inc...
When did Jackson sign a record deal with Virgin Records?

1991

...nd industrial beats, which led to crossover success in popular music. In 1991 , Jackson signed the first of two recordbreaking multimilliondollar contr...
How many solo albums has Janet Jackson released?

seven

...Pop music diva Janet Jackson has released seven solo albumsfive of which have earned multiplatinum sales and sold more than 40 million albums since 19...
What record label did Janet have a contract with in 1996?

Virgin Records

...ng the success of older brother, Michael Jackson. Her contract with Virgin Records was renewed in 1996 in a fouralbum deal worth a thenunprecedented 8...
When did Jackson renew her contract with Virgin Records?

1996

...rother, Michael Jackson. Her contract with Virgin Records was renewed in 1996 in a fouralbum deal worth a thenunprecedented 80 million. Jackson contin...
How many albums did Jackson record with Virgin in 1996?

four

...chael Jackson. Her contract with Virgin Records was renewed in 1996 in a four album deal worth a thenunprecedented 80 million. Jackson continues to rec...
What career has Jackson pursued?

acting

...as a fixture in the firmament of pop music, Jackson has also pursued an acting careerthough with decidedly mixed results. Jackson was born in 1966 to ...
In what decade did the Jackson 5 achieve pop stardom?

1970s

...on 5 and led by the charismatic Michaelachieved pop stardom in the early 1970s , the family moved to Encino, California, an affluent section of the San...
Where did the family move to in the 1970s?

Encino, California

...chaelachieved pop stardom in the early 1970s, the family moved to Encino, California , an affluent section of the San Fernando Valley. When asked if sh...
What was the name of Janet Jackson's 1986 album?

Control

...ome a superstar in her own right. Starting with her breakout 1986 album Control , she became one of the biggest pop stars of the '80s. Through the earl...
In what decade did she maintain her popularity?

2000s

..., she became one of the biggest pop stars of the '80s. Through the early 2000s , she was able to maintain her stature with impeccable quality control a...
What were the Jackson brothers known as at the time she was born?

the Jackson 5

...ily, and her older brothers had already begun performing together as the Jackson 5 by the time she was born. Bitten by the performing bug, she first a...
What genre of music did Jackson perform in the 80s and 90s?

pop and R&B

...xually provocative records, she became one of the most popular female pop and R&B stars of the 80s and 90s. One of the most awarded musical artists ev...
What company signed Janet a recording contract with in 1982?

A&M Records

...g in several television sitcoms, she signed a recording contract with A&M Records in 1982. Career and Musical Achievements: Although Janet Jackson was...
What was the name of Janet's first two studio albums?

Jackson (1982) and Dream Street (1984),

...fter the dismal success of her first two studio albums, Jackson (1982) and Dream Street (1984), her third album Control (1986) proved to be her commer...
What was Jacksons fourth album called?

Rhythm Nation 1814

... proved to be her commercial breakthrough. Jacksons fourth album, Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989), sold even well and earned her the first Grammy of her fou...