Janet Jackson
photo: rich esteban · cc by-sa 4.0 ↗Janet Jackson broke from her famous family's shadow with 1986's Control, a self-directed statement of independence built with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis that fused sharp funk grooves with new jack swing rhythm. Rhythm Nation 1814 pushed the formula toward social commentary and militaristic choreography, cementing her as one of pop's most influential dancer-vocalists. Her command of image, sound, and stagecraft shaped nearly every pop star who followed, Britney Spears among them.
Janet has called Sly and the Family Stone's 'Hot Fun in the Summertime' one of the biggest musical influences of her life, recalling it from age three.
listen forHear the loose, celebratory funk-pop of Sly's 'Hot Fun in the Summertime' inside the sunny groove of Janet's 'Escapade.'
Stevie Wonder's model of the studio auteur — writing, producing, and directing his own sound — is echoed in the tight self-directed control Janet asserted on Control, and he's been named among her key influences.
listen forCompare the tense, synth-driven funk of Stevie's 'Superstition' to the clipped, percussive funk hooks of Janet's 'Control.'
Tina Turner's raw, rock-inflected stage power, cited among Janet's influences, feeds into the fierce physicality of Janet's own performances.
listen forSet the gritty, full-throttle energy of Tina's 'What's Love Got to Do with It' against the aggressive strut of Janet's 'Nasty.'