LET'S CELEBRATE!

NATION!

It's hard for me to pick my favorite so I'll say it's a tie between "Miss u much" & "Black Cat"...The ONLY woman on the Planet that rivaled or even bested Janet's Beauty was Whitney Houston....

One of the greatest albums of all time..

all time....all time

the best album any female artist has released since the time Janet Jackson released it....and arguably the best during any time beforehand

this album was so magnificent, her brother Michael Jackson used it to dance rehearse

the best musical output Janet Jackson ever unleashed in her life

she dug down deep when she crafted this gem

I love the album title to this very day

if this album premiered in today's music scene, it would blow everything out the box

she became a luminary with this album

REAL ENTERTAINMENT

long time since I seen a video created on this level........for they don't even make videos any more.......it's loose leaf

this has to be a top 5 greatest music video of all time easily

Isn't that 24 years? Either way, great album bringing the 80's to a close.

Scorp said:

long time since I seen a video created on this level........for they don't even make videos any more.......it's loose leaf

this has to be a top 5 greatest music video of all time easily

DAG, I loved that video.

namepeace said:

Isn't that 24 years? Either way, great album bringing the 80's to a close.

Yes. 24 years since it was released, but 25th years of RN just started and I wanted to mark it. Sorry for confusion.

JanetSerbia said:

namepeace said:

Isn't that 24 years? Either way, great album bringing the 80's to a close.

Yes. 24 years since it was released, but 25th years of RN just started and I wanted to mark it. Sorry for confusion.

Cool. Like I said, technicalities shouldn't get in the way of celebrating a classic album.

there's not a soul making songs such as this.......

Janet broke the mold and brought the house

Marvin Gaye would be proud

but in 2013, we have young ladies doing videos licking wrecking balls

that's how far this music industry has fallen

[Edited 9/19/13 18:27pm]

A Parent's Choice Award Winner

it's been said on here b4, that it hasn't aged well as an album. that Control sounds more "classic" but RN is more influential. Can't say I disagree, but this was some next level ish! She had folks locked IN! My crush was at an all time high. She killed on this tour too!

Chancellor said:

It's hard for me to pick my favorite so I'll say it's a tie between "Miss u much" & "Black Cat"...The ONLY woman on the Planet that rivaled or even bested Janet's Beauty was Whitney Houston....

wasn't even close for me. whitney's face/skin was flawless, but its those damn curves, ain't noboby touchin' Jan in that department. AND she's funky too! that ish is hot!

datdude said:

wasn't even close for me. whitney's face/skin was flawless, but its those damn curves, ain't noboby touchin' Jan in that department. AND she's funky too! that ish is hot!

Boomshackalacka...LOL...Spoken for truth...Janet has plenty of Booty & Thick legs...

It was always my favourite of her albums, and one that really seemed fresh and exciting to me when I was listening to it as a tweenie.

24 years on, though, I think we have to acknowledge that the comparison with What's Going On? and the like leaves it wanting. Marvin was able to sustain his concept over a whole album, exploring different shades of his question (social, spiritual, ecological, etc). Rhythm Nation 1814 is really a sort of 'concept EP' that quickly turns into a straight pop/R&B album. Nothing wrong with that; it's still a great album. Just that we often gush over it's 'socially conscious' credentials, overlooking the fact that there are really only 4 of the 12 songs that deal with anything of that nature (the last of which is unbearable!).

The title track and its video, and Miss You Much, were pathbreaking, though. You can still see the influence today.

deebee said:

It was always my favourite of her albums, and one that really seemed fresh and exciting to me when I was listening to it as a tweenie.

24 years on, though, I think we have to acknowledge that the comparison with What's Going On? and the like leaves it wanting. Marvin was able to sustain his concept over a whole album, exploring different shades of his question (social, spiritual, ecological, etc). Rhythm Nation 1814 is really a sort of 'concept EP' that quickly turns into a straight pop/R&B album. Nothing wrong with that; it's still a great album. Just that we often gush over it's 'socially conscious' credentials, overlooking the fact that there are really only 4 of the 12 songs that deal with anything of that nature (the last of which is unbearable!).

The title track and its video, and Miss You Much, were pathbreaking, though. You can still see the influence today.

I think that comment BOTH needed to be said and went without saying, if you know what I mean.

You're right; I see and hear the influence of RN on concept albums like New Amerykah 1 and 2, ArchAndroid and Electric Lady.

deebee said:

It was always my favourite of her albums, and one that really seemed fresh and exciting to me when I was listening to it as a tweenie.

24 years on, though, I think we have to acknowledge that the comparison with What's Going On? and the like leaves it wanting. Marvin was able to sustain his concept over a whole album, exploring different shades of his question (social, spiritual, ecological, etc). Rhythm Nation 1814 is really a sort of 'concept EP' that quickly turns into a straight pop/R&B album. Nothing wrong with that; it's still a great album. Just that we often gush over it's 'socially conscious' credentials, overlooking the fact that there are really only 4 of the 12 songs that deal with anything of that nature (the last of which is unbearable!).

The title track and its video, and Miss You Much, were pathbreaking, though. You can still see the influence today.

those socially conscious songs made a different in my life at the time...because those songs featuring that level of commentary was being phased out even then

I was thrilled when I heard them.....and I took those lyrics to heart because everything she expressed in those songs is holding much water today......

I rather have that than watching a young woman stroll on a wrecking ball in her video, and that type of effort leads to #1 distinction on the R&B and HIP-HOP/R&B charts

that's how far this thing has fallen, and now, ironically to get a #1 R&B hit today, you can't be authentic and it has to be about sexual content......that's how far black music and music as a whole has stooped.....

[Edited 9/20/13 9:22am]

namepeace said:

deebee said:

It was always my favourite of her albums, and one that really seemed fresh and exciting to me when I was listening to it as a tweenie.

24 years on, though, I think we have to acknowledge that the comparison with What's Going On? and the like leaves it wanting. Marvin was able to sustain his concept over a whole album, exploring different shades of his question (social, spiritual, ecological, etc). Rhythm Nation 1814 is really a sort of 'concept EP' that quickly turns into a straight pop/R&B album. Nothing wrong with that; it's still a great album. Just that we often gush over it's 'socially conscious' credentials, overlooking the fact that there are really only 4 of the 12 songs that deal with anything of that nature (the last of which is unbearable!).

The title track and its video, and Miss You Much, were pathbreaking, though. You can still see the influence today.

I think that comment BOTH needed to be said and went without saying, if you know what I mean.

You're right; I see and hear the influence of RN on concept albums like New Amerykah 1 and 2, ArchAndroid and Electric Lady.

Lol, I feel both affirmed and dejected. But, yeah, I know what you mean (I think ).

Briefly, since you mention it (and lest I be mistaken for someone lamenting that everything's gone downhill since the days of the great ones!), for me, a vastly underrated album like New Amerykah Pt.1 stands up pretty well to the comparison. A lot of Janelle's stuff, too.

Scorp said:

deebee said:

It was always my favourite of her albums, and one that really seemed fresh and exciting to me when I was listening to it as a tweenie.

24 years on, though, I think we have to acknowledge that the comparison with What's Going On? and the like leaves it wanting. Marvin was able to sustain his concept over a whole album, exploring different shades of his question (social, spiritual, ecological, etc). Rhythm Nation 1814 is really a sort of 'concept EP' that quickly turns into a straight pop/R&B album. Nothing wrong with that; it's still a great album. Just that we often gush over it's 'socially conscious' credentials, overlooking the fact that there are really only 4 of the 12 songs that deal with anything of that nature (the last of which is unbearable!).

The title track and its video, and Miss You Much, were pathbreaking, though. You can still see the influence today.

those socially conscious songs made a different in my life at the time...because those songs featuring that level of commentary was being phased out even then

I was thrilled when I heard them.....and I took those lyrics to heart because everything she expressed in those songs is holding much water today......

I rather have that than watching a young woman stroll on a wrecking ball in her video, and that type of effort leads to #1 distinction on the R&B and HIP-HOP/R&B charts

that's how far this thing has fallen, and now, ironically to get a #1 R&B hit today, you can't be authentic and it has to be about sexual content......that's how far black music and music as a whole has stooped.....

[Edited 9/20/13 9:22am]

Yeah, they meant something to me, too, and I agree it felt like something of a 'statement' at the time. I also find the 'hoochie-isation' trend a depressing spectacle - made all the worse by the fact that that's now taken to be the way that young female artists declare their maturity and independence, with a whole load of guff about their 'empowerment'. (Contrast that with Janet's own coming-of-age assertion in 'Control' and the situation looks particularly grim.)

Part of me kinda wants to offer an optimistic thought on this, though, and say that, although that strand definitely isn't in the ascendant, maybe it didn't die off - and that Janelle, Erykah, Me'shell, some of the more 'conscious' rappers, etc, are still trying to 'say' something. In fact, maybe we need a thread on that to stop us getting too depressed.......

[Edited 9/20/13 10:08am]

Amazing! One of the best pop albums ever recorded!

deebee said:

Scorp said:

those socially conscious songs made a different in my life at the time...because those songs featuring that level of commentary was being phased out even then

I was thrilled when I heard them.....and I took those lyrics to heart because everything she expressed in those songs is holding much water today......

I rather have that than watching a young woman stroll on a wrecking ball in her video, and that type of effort leads to #1 distinction on the R&B and HIP-HOP/R&B charts

that's how far this thing has fallen, and now, ironically to get a #1 R&B hit today, you can't be authentic and it has to be about sexual content......that's how far black music and music as a whole has stooped.....

[Edited 9/20/13 9:22am]

Yeah, they meant something to me, too, and I agree it felt like something of a 'statement' at the time. I also find the 'hoochie-isation' trend a depressing spectacle - made all the worse by the fact that that's now taken to be the way that young female artists declare their maturity and independence, with a whole load of guff about their 'empowerment'. (Contrast that with Janet's own coming-of-age assertion in 'Control' and the situation looks particularly grim.)

Part of me kinda wants to offer an optimistic thought on this, though, and say that, although that strand definitely isn't in the ascendant, maybe it didn't die off - and that Janelle, Erykah, Me'shell, some of the more 'conscious' rappers, etc, are still trying to 'say' something. In fact, maybe we need a thread on that to stop us getting too depressed.......

[Edited 9/20/13 10:08am]

very very true

One of Janet's best albums, and a highly relevant album in today's world. Most of the topics on RN are still prevalent in the world today (homelessness, bigotry, violence against children, etc.). A classic for sure.

[Edited 9/21/13 9:15am]

deebee said:

namepeace said:

I think that comment BOTH needed to be said and went without saying, if you know what I mean.

You're right; I see and hear the influence of RN on concept albums like New Amerykah 1 and 2, ArchAndroid and Electric Lady.

Lol, I feel both affirmed and dejected. But, yeah, I know what you mean (I think ).

Briefly, since you mention it (and lest I be mistaken for someone lamenting that everything's gone downhill since the days of the great ones!), for me, a vastly underrated album like New Amerykah Pt.1 stands up pretty well to the comparison. A lot of Janelle's stuff, too.

Always feel affirmed because you beat me to the same comment!

I agree on Erykah and Janelle. Their albums, like RN, stand out among a large pool of forgettable albums.

This project slays anything Beyonce & Rhianna can ever do in a LIFETIME! I still feel Janet doesn't get her props enough as a female powerhouse/innovator, that she was back then. Its always Madonna. The tour that accompanied this album was the most amazing debut tour, I've ever seen by any artist...She SLAYED IT!!! I was so proud of her.....

[Edited 9/22/13 5:33am]

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

This project slays anything Beyonce & Rhianna can ever do in a LIFETIME! I still feel Janet doesn't get her props enough as a female powerhouse/innovator, that she was back then. Its always Madonna. The tour that accompanied this album was the most amazing debut tour, I've ever seen by any artist...She SLAYED IT!!! I was so proud of her.....

it was beautiful stuff wasn't it

Scorp said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

This project slays anything Beyonce & Rhianna can ever do in a LIFETIME! I still feel Janet doesn't get her props enough as a female powerhouse/innovator, that she was back then. Its always Madonna. The tour that accompanied this album was the most amazing debut tour, I've ever seen by any artist...She SLAYED IT!!! I was so proud of her.....

it was beautiful stuff wasn't it

Also unmatched....

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Scorp said:

it was beautiful stuff wasn't it

Also unmatched....

very, very, very true

Just an excellent album really, changed my expectations of music personally and obviously gave her bro something to think about for Dangerous. The music videos were really cool as well, I always thought she was Public Enemy for some reason, not so much the dancing but the cinematography was ace.