Worst to Best: Every Janet Jackson Album Ranked
Following in the footsteps of five pop stars who just happen to be your brothers is no easy task. But as the baby of the Jackson family, Janet Jackson wasn't going to give anyone a reason to steal her shine.
Finding her way to the limelight at 7 years old after a performance with her brothers, better known as The Jackson 5, an 11-year-old Janet decided to walk down her own star-lit path by joining the cast of Good Times (1977 - 1979) followed by appearances on Different Strokes and A New Kind of Family in '79. But three years later, the youngest Jackson took a step back from the small screen, and decided to release her debut, self-titled album.
Unfortunately, the project wasn't as highly anticipated compared to the projects in her extensive catalog. She'd face the same reception after the release of her sophomore album, Dream Street. But it's amazing what a two-year hiatus and a revamped production team can do.
Just months before her 20th birthday, the Indiana-born pop and R&B star gave her solo career one more try. And in this case, it's clear that the third time really is a charm. In 1986, Janet dropped Control: the album that single-handedly put her solo career on the map. After a No. 1 album that live on the Billboard charts for 26 weeks, she knew she struck gold.
Since then, the music heiress has taken home five Grammy awards, watched many of her albums land at the top of the Billboard 200 and garnered countless No. 1 hits with the help of her esteemed production duo, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and her talented ex, Jermaine Dupri.
Janet isn't a little girl from Gary, Ind. anymore, and the evolution of her music reflects her growth as an artist and a person. From Rhythm Nation to All for You, she created an artistically bold sound that's been sampled for nearly two decades.
So just remember, her first name might be Janet, but you can always call her Ms. Jackson if you're nasty.
Check out Worst to Best: Every Janet Jackson Album Ranked above.