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Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814

In 1989, as the world was going to hell, Janet Jackson was coming into her own. The pop star's ascent and the planet's downward slide intersected neatly on Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, a socially conscious, sonically adventurous, commercially massive album released 30 years ago on Sept. 19, 1989.

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by Anonymousreply 175October 2, 2019 12:51 AM

A whole three decades ago... what a time that must have been!

by Anonymousreply 1September 19, 2019 2:45 AM

What a flash in the pan!

by Anonymousreply 2September 19, 2019 2:47 AM

I remember it. First year of university. I wore my cassette out in my Ford Escort.

by Anonymousreply 3September 19, 2019 2:51 AM

This was my shit back in the day. I was nine years old when the album came out. My brother bought me a VHS copy of the short film that she released with the album. It had the Miss You Much, The Knowledge and Rhythm Nation videos in it. I watched that shit over and over and over again trying to learn the choreography and replicate it in our living room. I wore the tape out and it broke - that's how obsessed I was with Janet back then. Control was great but RN 1814 propelled her into legendary status. What a work of art this album is.

by Anonymousreply 4September 19, 2019 3:07 AM

One my favorite songs ever. She really took music and choreography to a new level.

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by Anonymousreply 5September 19, 2019 3:14 AM

Thanks for posting R5. That brings back fun memories (I haven't seen that video in years). I forgot to mention that I LOVED her back-up dancers during this era. I think this was Tina Landon's first collaboration with Janet as a choreographer.

by Anonymousreply 6September 19, 2019 3:28 AM

Come back to me, state of the world, miss u much, love will never do, alright, living in a world. The whole album is a classic.

by Anonymousreply 7September 19, 2019 3:48 AM

Jabba must have permission to post again after getting its homophobic ass banned.

by Anonymousreply 8September 19, 2019 3:51 AM

And ESCAPADE. Bangin album.

by Anonymousreply 9September 19, 2019 3:52 AM

It's interesting that this period was the zenith of both Janet and Madonna's careers. Madonna will never match the period of the Like A Prayer album, Vogue and Justify My Love. And Rhythm Nation was clearly the highest achievement in Janet's career. Truly undeniable. As you said, OP, a monster hit with Janet and Jimmy Jam & Terry L bringing their A-game. I was in single digits then myself, but remember the thrill of one single and video release after another. It was a nearly three year album campaign from 'Miss You Much' in 1989 to 'State of the World' in 1991. Unimaginable now.

by Anonymousreply 10September 19, 2019 4:39 AM

So true R10. I also loved how Janet wasn't a prolific artist back then. Her albums were huge projects that came out every three or four years and when a new album was released, it really was a major event that defined an era. If she had been the kind of artist who dropped an album every year, I don't think her work would have been as iconic as it is.

by Anonymousreply 11September 19, 2019 4:53 AM

Sure, R4, but did many artists drop a new album every year or two? That seem to be a more recent practice. Or perhaps I'm mistaken about that.

by Anonymousreply 12September 19, 2019 4:59 AM

Wasn't Madonna's output pretty frequent in the 80s and early 90s?

by Anonymousreply 13September 19, 2019 5:16 AM

Mariah released an album every year in the 90s just about.

by Anonymousreply 14September 19, 2019 5:38 AM

Jackson is best known for winning KFC Extra Crispy Chicken Eating Contests @ the Hollywood Boulevard KFC.

by Anonymousreply 15September 19, 2019 6:08 AM

😂 Yes, Jackson most certainly defined a era .......

The Fast Food Era

by Anonymousreply 16September 19, 2019 6:11 AM

Jody Watley's Larger Than Life was a far superior release in 1989.

by Anonymousreply 17September 19, 2019 6:29 AM

^^^😂😂😂😂😂

by Anonymousreply 18September 19, 2019 3:08 PM

Many suspected that "Control" was a fluke and that Janet was a flash in the pan. She went into the studio shortly after the release of the blockbuster "Bad" and felt the pressure to both produce a smash hit and also more clearly distinguish herself from her brother. That's why they decided on singing about race issues--that's something that Michael hadn't done before.

Of course, all these years later, we're not supposed to remember that. Instead, we're supposed to believe that singing about race came from watching CNN or whatever.

by Anonymousreply 19September 19, 2019 3:25 PM

R8 which one of Jabba's multiple personalities/accounts did that happen to?

by Anonymousreply 20September 19, 2019 6:48 PM

Yes, all of Janet's material with Jam & Lewis is great.... wonder why?!?!

by Anonymousreply 21September 19, 2019 6:48 PM

legendary styling

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by Anonymousreply 22September 19, 2019 8:33 PM

r19, Of course they wanted Janet to do something Michael hadn't done before, duh. Their careers were depending on it. The concept was mostly influenced by Jimmy Jam because Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" was his favorite album.

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by Anonymousreply 23September 19, 2019 8:46 PM

Duh!

by Anonymousreply 24September 19, 2019 9:04 PM

R10, Janet. from 4 years later was actually her biggest album in terms of sales. I think it has aged and works better than Erotica.

by Anonymousreply 25September 19, 2019 9:29 PM

R20, the personality I call Shania Antoine. It's one of Jabba's personalities that talks to itself and loves to call a poster who disagrees with it the f-word.

by Anonymousreply 26September 19, 2019 10:02 PM

Good to know, R26. I feared it was the one named, Brooklyn Devine... the one who becomes irrationally pressed at any mention of Queen Jane's Baja Fresh endorsement.

by Anonymousreply 27September 19, 2019 10:13 PM

And once again, Jabba continues to post old high school photos of Ms. Jackson.

Obviously, those were taken before she was introduced to the KFC Extra Crispy menu selection.

by Anonymousreply 28September 21, 2019 3:31 AM

Happy 30th birthday Rhythm Nation 1814!

WE ARE A PART OF THE RHYTHM NATION.

by Anonymousreply 29September 22, 2019 6:22 AM

Edit!

by Anonymousreply 30September 22, 2019 7:53 AM

Black Cat was the best song on this album. This is a fact.

by Anonymousreply 31September 22, 2019 8:10 AM

"We all eat at the Chicken Nation! "

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by Anonymousreply 32September 22, 2019 12:55 PM

We are NOT all part of the rythm nation.

Not do we choose to be.

by Anonymousreply 33September 22, 2019 1:41 PM

Let us not forget the 19th anniversary of Michael Jackson's "Pedo 🧒 Fascination 2005"

by Anonymousreply 34September 22, 2019 1:47 PM

But why is Michael Jackson's picture on the cover of Rhythm Nation?

by Anonymousreply 35September 22, 2019 1:51 PM

I don't think I've ever heard a song of hers. I don't listen to pop radio at all.

by Anonymousreply 36September 22, 2019 2:16 PM

One of the few songs on Rhythm Nation not to be released as a single but one of the best.

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by Anonymousreply 37September 22, 2019 2:46 PM

Wrong album, but the song "Together Again" means a lot to me.

When my partner died, I spent days with him in the funeral home. Even at the funeral I never cried. It was a couple of months later, after me being a complete zombie that my niece put MTV on in my house and that video was on. I wept for days but it is such a positive song I cry and smile now when I hear it.

So titty accidents aside, I love Janet for that.

by Anonymousreply 38September 22, 2019 2:51 PM

Sorry for your loss R38

I

by Anonymousreply 39September 22, 2019 3:00 PM

Black Cat sucks

by Anonymousreply 40September 22, 2019 3:03 PM

I remember the scene in Madonna's documentary where she is trying on outfits and she is trying on these Galliano jackets and one of the backup dancers go "it's very Rythm Nation 1814" and she shot a death stare at her.

by Anonymousreply 41September 22, 2019 3:10 PM

Just watched the "Alright" video again for the first time in years. Still makes me smile all these years later. Love the guest appearances by Cyd Charisse, Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers. Makes me miss the days when music videos had style, vision, and great storytelling.

by Anonymousreply 42September 22, 2019 3:24 PM

r39, thank you from r38

by Anonymousreply 43September 22, 2019 3:39 PM

Black Cat is the only bad song on the album. But I will say--Janet makes much more sense when she is singing about love than politics. You can tell she only watched her local news station to get her info. But The Knowledge is the best "political" song on the album and even better than Rhythm Nation.

by Anonymousreply 44September 22, 2019 4:02 PM

Yeah, I never cared for Black Cat either.

by Anonymousreply 45September 22, 2019 4:52 PM

I'm not surprised so many people love Black Cat. It truly is an excellent heavy metal song.

by Anonymousreply 46September 22, 2019 5:03 PM

Janet

remains

FLAWLESS!

by Anonymousreply 47September 22, 2019 5:05 PM

R46, please--it is not an actual heavy metal song. It is heavy metal watered down via pop music.

by Anonymousreply 48September 22, 2019 5:06 PM

[quote] We are NOT all part of the rythm nation.

If you can't spell it, you can't be in it.

by Anonymousreply 49September 22, 2019 5:06 PM

[quote]But The Knowledge is the best "political" song on the album and even better than Rhythm Nation.

The Knowledge is probably the most musically innovative song on the RN. Striking and unique. Michael said that song drove him crazy and it was his favorite to dance to from the album.

Come Back To Me is another hit from RN that is usually overlooked. The harmony is so haunted and beautiful, and fits in the album so well. Classic late 80s R&B ballad.

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by Anonymousreply 50September 22, 2019 10:07 PM

Janet’s four back to back albums, Control, Rhythm Nation, janet., and The Velvet Rope were fucking great. Her last album wasn’t bad either. She lost me in the 2000s but got me back in the 2010s after she stopped with the sex act nonsense and started making mature yet fun music again.

by Anonymousreply 51September 22, 2019 10:44 PM

R50, Come Back to Me is probably Janet's best ballad--FAR better than "Again". So insipid. I just wish Come Back to Me had a better video.

by Anonymousreply 52September 22, 2019 10:49 PM

r52 yeah I never really got the video either, but I guess the label didnt care since all the other videos from the album were blockbusters. Janet had just started her first solo tour around that time in 1990 so she probably shot it while on tour. She was practically the most in demand music star in the world at that time, besides Madonna and her brother.

by Anonymousreply 53September 22, 2019 11:02 PM

R53, you're right, all the other videos were blockbusters. Btw, that song "Someday is Tonight" is very sexual. That moaning Janet does is intense. I was actually thrown off by that. And then she just amped that up on Janet.

by Anonymousreply 54September 22, 2019 11:15 PM

It's interesting that it's a political album but aside from Rhythm Nation, all the singles released were songs about love/relationships.

by Anonymousreply 55September 23, 2019 12:11 PM

if it made soo much $ how cum the fat slob had to marry that prince of wherever for rent $ ?

by Anonymousreply 56September 23, 2019 12:25 PM

[quote]I'm not surprised so many people love Black Cat. It truly is an excellent heavy metal song.

It does have tons of rock cred. Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt and Living Colour's Vernon Reid play on various mixes, Lemmy Kilmister wanted to remake it with her but never got to due to label interference, Tommy Lee loves it and rock band Warmen have a covered it. It's even been covered live by Britney and Adam Lambert. Youtube also has tons of videos of different rock bands covering it. Janet was heavily into the Wayne Isham-directed videos by Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, etc. at the time, which is why she asked Wayne to direct the video. It even netted Janet a Best Rock Vocal Female Grammy nom. She wrote it by herself and co-produced it with Jellybean from The Time.

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by Anonymousreply 57September 24, 2019 1:35 AM

RN 1814 is iconic in every way. It was the biggest selling record of 1990 in the US. She won, like, every Billboard award imaginable for it.

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by Anonymousreply 58September 24, 2019 1:37 AM

The RHYTHM NATION mini-movie was amazing. It was like a visual album way before Beyonce was putting them out every other second. It beat out MJ's Moonwalker, Pink Floyd's Delicate Sound of Thunder and Eurhythmics' Savage for a Best Music Video - Long Form Grammy. Part of it was filmed at the famous Bradbury Building in downtown LA (also seen in Genesis' Tonight Tonight Tonight video and the film Blade Runner). It has appearances by Joshua Miller (Jason Patric's younger brother), a pre-Meance II Society Tyrin Turner, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her cameo by a young Vivica Fox.

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by Anonymousreply 59September 24, 2019 1:46 AM

Where are you Janbot?

Did you buy the reissues, hunty?

by Anonymousreply 60September 24, 2019 1:47 AM

Agreed, R37. That's probably my favorite ballad by her.

by Anonymousreply 61September 24, 2019 1:47 AM

r57 that is one of my favorite performances from Janet. She was smoking hot. Black Cat is funky as hell.

by Anonymousreply 62September 24, 2019 1:51 AM

The Chase Center was sold out

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by Anonymousreply 63September 24, 2019 1:54 AM

[quote]Jody Watley's Larger Than Life was a far superior release in 1989.

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by Anonymousreply 64September 24, 2019 1:56 AM

It's amazing how timely this album is, seeing as though it was released three decades ago. Hell, its subject matter is probably even more relevant to what is going on in the headlines today than when it was released.

by Anonymousreply 65September 24, 2019 1:58 AM

[quote]In 1989, as the world was going to hell...

1989 was the exact opposite of that.

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by Anonymousreply 66September 24, 2019 1:58 AM

RN, along with Thriller and Born in the USA, are the only three albums released in the 80s to generate 7 top 10 singles. RN is set apart, however, because all of its singles went top five.

by Anonymousreply 67September 24, 2019 1:59 AM

r65, it's a timeless piece of art for sure, now it is more apparent than ever.

by Anonymousreply 68September 24, 2019 2:10 AM

^indeed

by Anonymousreply 69September 24, 2019 2:12 AM

Rhythm Nation has always reminded me of another classic album, There's a Riot Goin' On--it's probably the sample of Sly and the Family stone in the title track that does it.

by Anonymousreply 70September 24, 2019 2:28 AM

I love when Janbot's nostalgic personality, Shirley, comes to remember the good old days, 1990, when Janet Jackson had a hit record.

by Anonymousreply 71September 24, 2019 3:40 AM

^Go back to your half-filled theater tour, Hagdonna.

by Anonymousreply 72September 24, 2019 10:22 AM

[quote]Go back to your half-filled theater tour, Hagdonna.

Which is still triple sized more full than Lardass Jackson's shows.

by Anonymousreply 73September 24, 2019 10:26 AM

How come tix to her tour went unsold and was considered the flop of the year???

by Anonymousreply 74September 24, 2019 11:28 AM

janets fake voice masks a talentless narcissus who is fraid to leave the house...

by Anonymousreply 75September 24, 2019 11:29 AM

R41, funny you should mention that. A couple of years ago, during Madge's hospital opening ceremony in Malawi, her son David performed Rhythm Nation - I wonder if she was giving her own son a "death stare" as well...

by Anonymousreply 76September 27, 2019 10:40 PM

Here's the clip:

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by Anonymousreply 77September 27, 2019 10:41 PM

[quote]—Miss Jackson had the last laugh

You can say that again!

by Anonymousreply 78September 27, 2019 10:55 PM

I like Janet but she is TACKY AS FUCK!

by Anonymousreply 79September 27, 2019 11:11 PM

R76, Hahaha. That’s a great piece of video...the irony.

by Anonymousreply 80September 27, 2019 11:12 PM

[quote]Which is still triple sized more full than Lardass Jackson's shows.

Me thinks not

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by Anonymousreply 81September 28, 2019 12:36 PM

That’s classic R77. I wonder if her throat seized when she heard Rhythm Nation begin.

by Anonymousreply 82September 28, 2019 12:38 PM

A reminder: Janet left a venue in entertainment-starved Tampa that even Gwen Stefani has sold out...two thirds EMPTY. She. Is. Done.

by Anonymousreply 83September 28, 2019 2:39 PM

The problem with Janet is that, like Cher, Kylie, Britney...she has zero artistic value.

by Anonymousreply 84September 28, 2019 2:46 PM

So untrue R84

by Anonymousreply 85September 28, 2019 3:01 PM

[quote]A reminder: Janet left a venue in entertainment-starved Tampa that even Gwen Stefani has sold out...two thirds EMPTY

No, but here's one for you...she was the first woman to sell out the Chase Center last weekend.

by Anonymousreply 86September 28, 2019 9:15 PM

[quote]The problem with Janet is that, like Cher, Kylie, Britney...she has zero artistic value.

Tell that to game changing, award-winning, industry-influencing, influential seminal works like Control, Rhythm Nation 1814 and The Velvet Rope.

by Anonymousreply 87September 28, 2019 9:16 PM

The oldest Jackson sister was Rebe. She had a low key hit "Centipede."

Not sure why she stopped singing though.

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by Anonymousreply 88September 28, 2019 9:29 PM

The fact that this thread highlights her best known work--and something that's thirty years old--says all we need to know about Janet's career:

It ain't made for now.

by Anonymousreply 89September 28, 2019 9:37 PM

It’s fun to think about the Rhythm Nation days because that’s when we didn’t know that Janet is a liar capable of the Super Bowl stunt.

by Anonymousreply 90September 28, 2019 9:42 PM

Rebe? Oh dear!

Rebbie certainly had the best vocals of the three sisters. Unfortunately she had shitty producers.

by Anonymousreply 91September 28, 2019 9:45 PM

She was pretty too. Janet talked about feeling less than compared to Rebbie. I actually like Latoya too. She's pretty fun but too unfocused to have talent.

I watched something with David Gest and he talked about Rebbie Jackson's hit Centipede and the UK audience thought he was hilariously making it up. Not sure why he was a big hit there after divorcing Liza.

by Anonymousreply 92September 28, 2019 9:58 PM

Oh, I didn't know he passed away.

by Anonymousreply 93September 28, 2019 9:59 PM

Here is an old interview with Janet. She talks about wondering if her fame was really because of her, or because of her brother's success. I think mostly her, but having a brother like Michael didn't hurt. Obviously, you can see how different she was compared to Latoya and Rebbie so she had something!

It really struck me as very odd that she hadn't talked to Michael in over a year! She also talks about depression and I think that ran in their family.

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by Anonymousreply 94September 28, 2019 10:02 PM

I used to try to do the dance in this video.

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by Anonymousreply 95September 28, 2019 10:03 PM

I loved her 90s anime hair in this.

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by Anonymousreply 96September 28, 2019 10:03 PM

When she did this song for Dr. Doolittle or some movie where Eddie Murphy was fat she was promoting it on TRL and Carson Daly said "you could never someone fat like that, right?" And she gasped "why?"

Of course she could! She was with Jermaine Dupri and he was a little bit fat.

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by Anonymousreply 97September 28, 2019 10:06 PM

R94, Velvet Rope is probably her best album but god, she looks horrible there. She even has a septum piercing.

by Anonymousreply 98September 28, 2019 10:07 PM

She was also Penny on Good Times. This scene was so sad.

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by Anonymousreply 99September 28, 2019 10:08 PM

This is her first TV debut.

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by Anonymousreply 100September 28, 2019 10:11 PM

She is always so regal. Here she is on Graham Norton!

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by Anonymousreply 101September 28, 2019 10:12 PM

When she went on Jonathan Ross she should he said CLIT PIE!

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by Anonymousreply 102September 28, 2019 10:14 PM

She never looked better than in this video.

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by Anonymousreply 103September 28, 2019 10:16 PM

She stared in a movie with Tupac.

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by Anonymousreply 104September 28, 2019 10:17 PM

[quote]Rebbie certainly had the best vocals of the three sisters.

That throaty ad-lib you hear at the end of CENTIPEDE is Martha Wash, hon.

by Anonymousreply 105September 28, 2019 10:23 PM

[quote]The fact that this thread highlights her best known work--and something that's thirty years old...

...is admirable in that it's not only a timeless record and one of the most successful by a female dance pop artist, but it's even MORE relevant today than when it was released.

by Anonymousreply 106September 28, 2019 10:24 PM

No it isn't.

by Anonymousreply 107September 29, 2019 12:03 AM

[quote]She stared in a movie with Tupac.

What was she staring at?

by Anonymousreply 108September 29, 2019 12:51 AM

Is THIS the State Fair thing someone keeps referring to on here? If so, how on earth is Janet responsible?

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by Anonymousreply 109September 29, 2019 1:18 AM

Nice try, Jabs. But you're not going to make anyone forget she bankrupted poor Iowa's fair.

by Anonymousreply 110September 29, 2019 1:47 AM

Not Jabba, you silly person. Oh, okay, this is what you're talking about...

Sounds like she was at the top of the list of Iowa State Fair performers that lost money. Yeah, that is pretty embarrassing.

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by Anonymousreply 111September 29, 2019 3:45 AM

I've seen her in concert, R105. She can hit those notes. Using Wikipedia for research isn't wise, hon.

by Anonymousreply 112September 29, 2019 1:13 PM

^^No she cant't. Rebbie is a respectable singer, but those guttaral ad-libs heard in Centipede are from The Weathers Girls, most notably Wash. Wikipedia has nothing to do with it.

by Anonymousreply 113September 29, 2019 4:53 PM

[quote]No it isn't.

Let's see...

The themes running through the RN 1814 album consist of railing against social injustice, racism, homelessness, teen pregnancy, suicide, drugs, mass shootings, and the importance of getting an education. These are all topics that pretty much occupy the headlines on a daily basis these days. So, in essence, it IS.

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by Anonymousreply 114September 29, 2019 4:58 PM

That Iowa State Fair thing is old, hackneyed and tired at this point, and is the only thing you trolls can muster in an attempt to prove an invalid point. That same year, she embarked on a highly successful Up Close and Personal theater tour - one that was so successful that it had to be extended for months just to meet demand, with multiple nights booked at several stops. Just because of bunch of po-dunk hicks from Iowa weren't ready for The Queen says absolutely nothing. She has spent the last few years packing arenas, amphitheaters and stadiums with her shows, and just finished a highly successful run in Vegas. And, her latest San Fran show at the Chase Center arena sold out the place.

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by Anonymousreply 115September 29, 2019 5:07 PM

You must admit that bankrupting a state fair is hilarious!

by Anonymousreply 116September 29, 2019 5:09 PM

^So is falling down the stairs and on your ass during a live award show while performing a song that no one cares about, but who's counting?

by Anonymousreply 117September 29, 2019 5:12 PM

I mean just the fact, alone, that she is reduced to playing a state fair in between juggling clown acts and a rattlesnake show is gut busting comedy!

by Anonymousreply 118September 29, 2019 5:18 PM

Tampa is probably filled with red necks and Spainish music lovers. It's on the poorer side of Florida.

by Anonymousreply 119September 29, 2019 5:20 PM

She sold out in my city which calls itself a music capital.

by Anonymousreply 120September 29, 2019 5:21 PM

She sold out just a couple of weekends ago at the Chase Arena in San Francisco. It's the 30th anniversary celebration of Rhythm Nation. That's a landmark album for sure. Cute singer Charlie Puth stans her, and is always covering and sample the Rhythm Nation single Come Back to Me.

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by Anonymousreply 121September 29, 2019 5:25 PM

Jabba's logic that career lows from ten years ago shouldn't be brought up while repeatedly bringing up career highs from THIRTY years ago, is hysterical.

by Anonymousreply 122September 29, 2019 5:48 PM

I loved this album much more than the white sounding Like A Prayer album. It's plainly clear why Madonnas music doesn't hold up and why she never had many black fans.

by Anonymousreply 123September 29, 2019 5:59 PM

When pondering the state of the world and its cruelties and many injustices, I turn to Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 and dress like a reject from Chess King.

by Anonymousreply 124September 29, 2019 8:21 PM

What does Madonna have to do with any of this? Only in our sick fuck Jabba's mind.

BANKRUPT STATE FAIR

DENY FIRST CHILD

COVER FOR SEX CRIMINAL BROTHER

WHISPER COO

HAS BEEN

CONCERT TIX COMPED WITH ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET PURCHASE AT 29.50 PER HEAD.

by Anonymousreply 125September 29, 2019 8:27 PM

[quote]I lloved this album much more than the white sounding Like A Prayer album.

Same here. As the #1 selling US album of 1990, it sold more, won more awards and is much more relevant to today’s social issues too.

by Anonymousreply 126September 30, 2019 12:39 AM

Same here!

by Anonymousreply 127September 30, 2019 12:49 AM

R126, It was only in the US that Rhythm Nation outsold Like a Prayer. Elsewhere, especially Europe, Like a Prayer sold much more.

by Anonymousreply 128September 30, 2019 12:53 AM

Because some are allergic to facts:

Like a Prayer:

[quote]In the United States, Like a Prayer debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200, on the issue dated April 8, 1989.[93] It quickly rose to the top of the chart after its third week, where it remained for six consecutive weeks, making it Madonna's longest-running number 1 album.[94][95] The album spent a total of 77 weeks on the chart.[93] The album also reached a peak of number 55 on Billboard's R&B Albums list.[96] It was eventually certified multi Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of three million units.[97] After the advent of the Nielsen SoundScan era in 1991, the album sold a further 575,000 copies.[98] Like a Prayer has sold over 4 million copies in the United States.[99]

Rhythm Nation:

[quote]The album debuted at number twenty-eight on the Billboard 200 and eighty-seven on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, eventually reaching the number one position on both charts.[97] It topped the Billboard 200 for four consecutive weeks, selling three million copies within the first four months of its release.[9] It sold an additional 1.10 million through BMG Music Club.[98] In November 1989, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album gold.[99] It was certified double platinum by the end of the year and ultimately certified sixfold platinum by the RIAA.[99] It emerged as the best selling album of 1990 in the territory.[13]

And then we'll hear about how charts and sales don't matter and aren't a measure of anything.

by Anonymousreply 129September 30, 2019 1:06 AM

The choreography is actually pretty funny. Turn the music off and it's like a bunch of coke addicts having synchronized muscle twitches while dressed like elaborate mall security guards.

by Anonymousreply 130September 30, 2019 1:35 AM

Yeah, but R130, the choreography is so good it allows her to do the same exact choreography year in and year out.... for twenty years!

by Anonymousreply 131September 30, 2019 1:55 AM

Rhythmless Nation 2019

by Anonymousreply 132September 30, 2019 3:36 AM

Strike that, not twenty years.. 30 years!!!

by Anonymousreply 133September 30, 2019 3:43 AM

[quote]The choreography is actually pretty funny.

What choreography? You mean Madonna's clumsy white girl version of the running man or the Roger Rabbit? Bitch, you should be smacked for making such a stupidly asinine statement. The synchronized Rhythm Nation choreography is iconic from start to finish. Madonna (and any other dance pop diva then OR now) can only wish...

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by Anonymousreply 134September 30, 2019 3:52 AM

Janet was even higher on the US concert box office draw that year than Madonna. In fact, she was the only female to place in the top ten. RN not only garnered more hits, more awards and set more records than Like A Prayer, it's just a better album all around. The trifecta of Janet/Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis were unstoppable at that point. They created an entire damn sub-genre of pop/R&B with that album. From the interludes to the sound effects and the lush harmonies, everybody wanted that sound - even Michael, who wanted to hire JJ/TL for his follow up to Bad. Jimmy and Terry remained loyal to Janet and turned him down, so he hired Teddy Riley instead and still wasn't able to duplicate the mastery of RN 1814.

by Anonymousreply 135September 30, 2019 3:58 AM

Yassss, preach hunty! And thank you Jam and Lewis for writing all those songs for our girl!

by Anonymousreply 136September 30, 2019 4:14 AM

So certain numbers like sales, hits, and awards count to prove one artist is better than the other but say when... I don't know... overall career numbers are thrown out which clearly shows someone is way more successful than the other... they DON'T count, right?

Just trying to get the Jabba logic correct.

by Anonymousreply 137September 30, 2019 4:22 AM

[quote]They created an entire damn sub-genre of pop/R&B with that album.

Agree. They took the genre and blew the roof off it. Janet rode off the wave of this album for 3 years, that is pretty much unheard of today, especially when youre talking about female artists who relied on sex appeal so much back then. This album relied very little on that. Janet was covered up from head to toe for most of the album. That speaks volumes for how great her showmanship was and how good the music was.

by Anonymousreply 138September 30, 2019 4:26 AM

[quote]Janet rode off the wave of this album for 3 years

Paula did it first with Forever Your Girl.

by Anonymousreply 139September 30, 2019 5:01 AM

[quote]Janet rode off the wave of this album for 3 years

Paula did it first with Forever Your Girl.

by Anonymousreply 140September 30, 2019 5:01 AM

Honestly, she was seen as the female Michael Jackson.

by Anonymousreply 141September 30, 2019 5:02 AM

God, you're both so tiresome. I have to assume it's the same two of you endlessly yapping about Madonna and Janet as though -- gasp -- one couldn't like both of them. As though the success of one of them somehow negates the success of the other. It's so stale. Please. Just. Stop.

by Anonymousreply 142September 30, 2019 5:34 AM

Oh dear, it thinks it's fooling anyone.

by Anonymousreply 143September 30, 2019 11:29 AM

I think Jabba is one of those two banji girl drop outs who said that album saved them from a life of poverty.

by Anonymousreply 144September 30, 2019 11:33 AM

R135, Janet Jackson's tour did better because she had more shows. It's that simple.

by Anonymousreply 145September 30, 2019 12:41 PM

I love that Janet immediately went from singing about illiteracy, the homeless, and racism... right into singing about sucking dick... and never looked back!

by Anonymousreply 146September 30, 2019 1:06 PM

R146, that pretty much started on Rhythm Nation. Listen to "someday is tonight", especially the last minute or so.

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by Anonymousreply 147September 30, 2019 1:10 PM

R145 yeah it was popular.

We are the world, all those AIDS benefit charity songs, save the world , rainforest Cafe, fern gully, heal the world, then wtf, wt actual f, it's like caring went out of style. Fucks.

I mean no wonder people think climate change is a fad like y2k and aren't willing to do anything about. To Greta they're like "look here sweetie, you ain't no scientist and I've been on the planet larger, and you are just caught up in some FAD. I've seen these dad's come and go. Princess Diana hugging AIDS folks and now it ain't even a thing no more, so I ain't listening to you tell me about the tornadoes a comin". Puh lease"

by Anonymousreply 148September 30, 2019 5:35 PM

R148, I think people care...until they get to an age where they feel like all attempts at "change" or "corruption reduction" are pointless. We are living in Chinatown I guess.

by Anonymousreply 149September 30, 2019 5:39 PM

[quote]Honestly, she was seen as the female Michael Jackson.

Was she touching children too?

by Anonymousreply 150September 30, 2019 6:40 PM

People don’t make concept albums with messages that make you think anymore. It’s amazing how vapid ALL mainstream music is today.

by Anonymousreply 151September 30, 2019 7:30 PM

[quote] Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' Rhythm Nation 1814

Fixed that for you, Jabba.

Janet was nothing more than a hired hand. The same album could have been made with Jody Watley.

Except the vocals would have been better.

by Anonymousreply 152September 30, 2019 7:39 PM

[quote]People don’t make concept albums with messages that make you think anymore. It’s amazing how vapid ALL mainstream music is today.

SO true.

by Anonymousreply 153September 30, 2019 9:27 PM

Jody Watley always looked like a crack whore. She had no it factor.

by Anonymousreply 154October 1, 2019 1:01 AM

R107, yes it is. It's dystopian vision has sadly become increasingly relevant - on such matters as race relations (rising white nationalism), drugs (opiod epidemic), mass shootings. The most depressing is on those shootings, particularly school shootings, which is prescient given it came out a decade before Columbine. 30 years before Madonna released "God Control" on the same topic. 30 years later, it has only gotten worse. Listen and weep.

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by Anonymousreply 155October 1, 2019 1:48 AM

Rythm Nation is pinnacle Janet Vogue is pinnacle Madonna

I can nospell rythym

by Anonymousreply 156October 1, 2019 2:08 AM

I heard "Let's Wait Awhile" was really about Janet not wanting the old chicken at KFC and holding out until they fried a new batch, even though her hunger pains were something fierce!

by Anonymousreply 157October 1, 2019 2:28 AM

Ooooh, a KFC joke as original as their recipe.

by Anonymousreply 158October 1, 2019 3:34 AM

Jam and Lewis will be releasing an album soon. Janet, Mariah, and other features.

by Anonymousreply 159October 1, 2019 3:42 AM

[quote] Ooooh, a KFC joke as original as their recipe.

Yeah, as original as Janet's dance moves, look and sound she stole from Michael.

by Anonymousreply 160October 1, 2019 3:44 AM

R157, hilarious!

Does she prefer original or extra crispy?

by Anonymousreply 161October 1, 2019 3:50 AM

[quote] Does she prefer original or extra crispy?

Yes.

by Anonymousreply 162October 1, 2019 4:02 AM

lol at R162.

by Anonymousreply 163October 1, 2019 4:22 AM

R155, that song always brings me to tears. I remember after Sandy Hook how various YouTube tributes were made set to Livin’ in a World... This is one of them...

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by Anonymousreply 164October 1, 2019 10:36 AM

Hilarious, R164.

by Anonymousreply 165October 1, 2019 10:46 AM

Living in a World is a great example of why Janet should stick to love songs. It's sentimental, embarrassing "will someone PLEASE think of the children!!!" message music. The Knowledge is really the only political song on the album that works.

by Anonymousreply 166October 1, 2019 12:27 PM

Rhythm Nation works, too. It’s a call to arms. An anthem for justice.

by Anonymousreply 167October 1, 2019 5:51 PM

R167, yes, you're right The Knowledge plus Rhythm nation are the two political songs on the album that work.

by Anonymousreply 168October 1, 2019 5:53 PM

I love her Baja Fresh jingle.

by Anonymousreply 169October 1, 2019 5:54 PM

^Is it as good as Madonna’s Depends ad?

by Anonymousreply 170October 1, 2019 5:56 PM

Jump, Jabba. JUMP!

by Anonymousreply 171October 1, 2019 6:02 PM

I wish she'd remake those Baja Fresh commercials. It would go viral these days.

by Anonymousreply 172October 1, 2019 6:07 PM

I agree.

by Anonymousreply 173October 1, 2019 8:40 PM

Flawless

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by Anonymousreply 174October 1, 2019 11:42 PM

She should quit music and go back into acting.

by Anonymousreply 175October 2, 2019 12:51 AM
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