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| Janet Jackson |
If I needed just two words to describe myself, they would be
– people person. Of course those words can be applied to just about anyone in
the world today, or yesterday, but it is how the words are applied that makes
the difference. I’ll use an example to help explain what I mean. There have
been several times when I was out to lunch or dinner with family or friends, and other
local or national celebrities also are dining at the same restaurant. Sometimes
the celebs get close enough where I feel I must at least greet them by saying
hello. Other times I get an opportunity to engage in a brief conversation. I
never bother any celebrity with autograph requests, but if allowed I like
conversing about matters common to all people. I can remember one encounter
where I met a local news anchor. As I spoke, he enthusiastically shook my hand
and began to talk about his work, and his happiness at having a few days off. I
guess he was even more of a “people person” than I thought I was. My wife
thought I initiated the conversation, but I assured her that the news anchor
was just a friendly person. A people person.
The reason I am writing about this is to point out that
entertainers are people first. They may be famous, have lots of money and
appear to be without problems, but remember they are human like the rest of us.
We all share a common fragility that comes with being human. Each one
of us can be hurt, in a variety of ways. If we experienced a childhood without
great pain, most likely we will suffer adverse events somewhere in our adult
lives. In preparing for this week, many thoughts about the experiences that
bond all humans crossed my mind. Perhaps it was because of the musician I chose
to feature. In any case, this week we will examine some of the issues faced by
superstar singer/actress Janet Jackson.
In writing about Janet Jackson, it would be difficult to
mention things that are not already common knowledge. She has grown up in front
of an international audience as the youngest of her very famous siblings – The
Jacksons. Born May 16, 1966, Janet Jackson 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. When Jackson was sixteen, her father and manager Joseph Jackson, arranged
her a contract with A&M Records. Her debut album, Janet Jackson, was
released in 1982.
It certainly helps when anyone aspiring to gain access into
the entertainment industry starts with famous family members. Janet Jackson,
although an extremely talented child, at least was able to find the door opened when the
time came for a decision-maker to see her. Even with the boost of name
recognition she had to make hard choices in order to take another step. After
her second album, Jackson terminated business affairs with her family,
commenting "I just wanted to get out of the house, get out from under my
father, which was one of the most difficult things that I had to do." Looking
back on things it turns out that this was the correct decision. Jackson teamed
with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. They set out to achieve crossover pop
appeal, while also creating a strong foundation within the urban market. Their
plan worked to perfection as Control, released in February 1986, peaked at
number one on the Billboard 200, and was certified fivefold platinum by the
RIAA, selling over fourteen million copies worldwide. Control received six
Billboard Awards, including "Top Pop Singles Artist", and three
Grammy nominations, most notably "Album of the Year". It also won
four American Music Awards from twelve nominations. At this point Janet had
become more than the youngest Jackson child, but an artist with her own name
and voice.
Since Control Janet Jackson has released eight more studio
albums and five other feature films. Along the way she has achieved an iconic place
in modern music, setting the bar higher for the female vocalists who follow. Now,
after seven years since her previous recording, Ms. Jackson returns with a new
album Unbreakable. The album was released on October 2, 2015. It received
largely positive reviews, including those by The Wall Street Journal, The New
York Times, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, and The Guardian. Released under her
own record label, Rhythm Nation Records, and distributed by BMG Rights
Management, Unbreakable is historic because the launch of Rhythm Nation
established Jackson as one of the few African-American female musicians to own
a record label. Unbreakable debuted at number one on the Billboard 200,
becoming Janet’s seventh album to top the chart in the United States.
Janet Jackson has also embarked on a world tour to promote
the Unbreakable album. The tour is going well as I have heard only positives
from some of those who have had the opportunity to attend. Many have stated the
difference in wardrobe Janet Jackson is wearing as opposed to previous years.
Some attribute the change to her marriage to Qatari business magnet Wissam Al
Mana and respect for his Islamic beliefs. Others have perceived her age, now
49, might have a lot to do with her choice of attire. I tend to think her
decision may be a mixture of both factors.
I also noticed that Janet has postponed a few shows for
personal issues. Earlier in the first leg of concerts her father, Joe Jackson,
fell ill in Brazil. It was reported that Janet took time away from the tour to
be by his side while he recovered. Like most of us, Janet Jackson still has
concern for her older parents. Fame and fortune cannot change the issues that
may arise within a family. More recently Jackson required rest from singing,
and a few more postponed shows followed. This is very common for professional
singers. After a brief period of vocal rest, Janet Jackson’s show will go on. The
music will continue playing. Yes, Ms. Jackson has returned.
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