Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2014 16:04:35 GMT -4
Happy 25th anniversary Rhythm Nation 1814.
25 years ago today, Janet Jackson released her masterpiece album Rhythm Nation 1814 and the world of pop music was never the same again. Conceived as an album that might inspire world change for the better, Janet‘s album transcended being merely an amazing album (with hit single after hit single) … it became a sort of blueprint for a better world. Today, on the anniversary of the album’s release, Janet‘s official website has been updated in celebration of the 25th anniversary as a reminder of how truly spectacular her album was and still is today.
We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking album Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 and bowing down before the pop goddess that is Janet Jackson. Almost from the start Janet was a trailblazer, fusing pop, R&B and hip-hop, raising the bar for music video choreography, speaking out about social injustice and breaking racial and sexual taboos. The trends she started in fashion and music can still be seen in the work of today’s female stars, such as Ciara, Britney Spears and Beyonce among many others. We’re not the only ones who think Janet changed the course of females in pop music. In the video below, see how others reflect on how the star influenced their lives. Her infectious dance moves and confidence oozed sexiness. Her messages were empowering. And if you thought your other favorite pop divas were completely original, your mind is about to be blown. Here are all of the things Janet did first, that everyone else couldn’t resist doing too.
All seven of RN‘s commercial singles – “Miss You Much,” “Rhythm Nation,” “Escapade,” “Alright,” “Come Back to Me,” “Black Cat,” and “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” – hit the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, even breaking the record previously set by brother Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Her record still hasn’t been broken.
Long before Yonce left us in shock and awe over her surprise self-titled visual album, Janet was blowing our minds with the groundbreaking long form “Rhythm Nation” video. Her iconic unisex militant attire, complex choreography and black and white coloring of the video was meant to erase the barriers between people of different races. Janet has said, “There were so many races in that video, from black to white and all the shades of gray in between.” Her song and video tried to start a movement, while other pop singers, like Madonna, were creating videos like this.
Before Britney Spears and Beyonce, Janet truly raised to bar on dancing in her music videos. While Madonna was still frolicking and rolling around in a wedding dresses, Janet was getting down with her bad self. Next time you see a pop singer working it with intricate group choreography while singing, know that Miss J did that shizz first.
In Rhythm Nation‘s introduction, Janet states: “We are a nation with no geographic boundaries… pushing toward a world rid of color lines.” Just years prior to the album’s release, radio was strictly segragated between white rock and pop bands and black R&B singers and rappers. Then Janet came on the scene and helped build the bridge between these isolated genres, fusing hip-hop hooks with R&B soul and a sleek pop sheen, starting a new revolution through music and dance.
With hits like “Anytime, Any Place” and “If,” it was clear that Janet was striking against the taboo of women talking about their sexuality. Although Madonna beat her to the punch by making jaws drop with her 1984 hit “Like a Virgin,” Janet was the first black singer in the pop genre to do the same. Tina Turner and Whitney Houston were not telling men to call out their name or ask who it belonged to and they certainly wouldn’t go to the extremes of The Velvet Rope album where Jackson explored themes of BDSM.
Janet Jackson took home the Best Music Video, Long Form gold for “Rhythm Nation” in 1990, the first female artist in music history to do so.
A day late but it's never a day late for Miss Jackson.
C
