Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. Considered a pop icon, she is known for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreography became a catalyst in the growth of MTV, enabling her to rise to prominence while breaking gender and racial barriers in the process. Lyrical content that concerned social issues and deeply felt experiences contributed to the appeal of her work to the youth audience.
The tenth and youngest child of the Jackson family, Jackson starred in multiple television shows throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, including Good Times, Diff'rent Strokes and Fame. After signing with A&M Records in 1982, Jackson achieved global stardom with her third and fourth studio albums, Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). These projects led to crossover success in popular music, influenced the development of the new jack swing fusion genre, and established her provocative image. In the 1990s, Jackson became one of the highest-paid artists in the industry, signing two of the largest music deals of all time with Virgin Records.