Roommates, today happens to be the 35th Anniversary of Janet Jackson’s groundbreaking third album ‘Control’— which not only changed the course of her career, but also changed the landscape of Pop and R&B music. The album successfully made Janet Jackson a household name within the music industry and permanently allowed her to step outside the shadow of her famous family.
‘Control’ sold 14 million copies worldwide, produced 7 hit singles, five Top 5 singles, won a Grammy, and reached number no.1 on Billboard upon its release. Produced by the legendary duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who would go on to produce the majority of Janet’s classic albums, ‘Control’ was a Pop and R&B album at its core, but also had elements of funk and blues.
Initially signed to A&M Records at 18, her first two albums showed what was to come—however it was ‘Control’ that changed everything for her.
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Speaking about her focus for the album, Janet said “My initial music was way too bubble-gummy for my own taste. I wanted something I could sink my teeth into, a way to express a mess of pent-up feelings. What I’m saying, I suppose, is that I wanted to be taken seriously.”
‘Control’ also made Janet Jackson the youngest Black female artist to have a no.1 Pop album and the first female album to produce five Top 5 Billboard Hot 100 Singles. With hits like ‘Nasty,’ the title track ‘Control,’ ‘The Pleasure Principle’, and the ultimate slow jam ‘Let’s Wait Awhile,’ the album was a welcomed and legendary shift in music history! Happy Anniversary to a classic!
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