Thread by @timothyanne

02.04.1986

Janet Jackson released Control, her third studio album.

Control was the first collaboration between Jackson and legendary musicians/producers/songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The duo insisted that all recording and production was done at their studio in Minneapolis, MN.

"We required that they put her in our hands. We had to do it on our turf, with no bodyguards, no star trips and none of Joe Jackson's people hanging around making suggestions." -Jimmy Jam, 1987

Before any work began the three spent a week getting to know each other, while Jackson adjusted to life in Minneapolis.

"I told them my whole story, what I wanted to do. I told them about things that happened in my life and what I really wanted this album to be about. I said, 'I need you guys to help me express how I feel, to help me put my feelings out.'" -Janet Jackson, 1990

"We got into her head. We saw what she was capable of, what she wanted to say, where she wanted to be, what she wanted to be. We put together some songs to fit her as we saw her, as she revealed herself to us." -Terry Lewis, 1987

Despite her early hesitation, Jackson embraced the new environment and relationships, and discovered a creative path that would develop into a brand new blueprint for her career.

"I knew I wanted control – I still believe in creative control – but I soon saw that I'd have to give in order to get: give myself over to a creative environment that was different and even a little dangerous from anything I'd ever known." -Janet Jackson, 1993

One incident in particular forced Jackson to discover her own strength, and inspired some of the most personal, defiant songs on Control.

"The danger hit home when a couple of guys started stalking me on the street. Instead of running to Jimmy or Terry for protection, I took a stand. I backed them down. That's how songs like 'Nasty' and 'What Have You Done for Me Lately' were born, out of a sense of self-defense."

"Control meant not only taking care of myself but living in a much less protected world. And doing that meant growing a tough skin. Getting attitude." -Janet Jackson, 1993

Jimmy and Terry shared very little with anyone during the six weeks they spent in the studio with Jackson. They encouraged her to contribute to the album as much as she wanted (playing keyboards, etc.), and gave her space to learn along the way.

"Throughout the album her confidence grew and grew. She realized that she was the only one holding back her potential." -Jimmy Jam, 1990

From that confidence came an album that completely changed the musical landscape. Control presented Jackson as proudly standing on a platform built by many women before her, commanding attention and respect.

The sonic identity of Control so carefully crafted by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis created a new path for The Minneapolis Sound they had been so instrumental in developing. But Control was also a learning experience for the duo, and some things happened by accident.

"We recorded Control ourselves because we had an engineer who walked out on us. So a lot of things were recorded too loud and were sort of distorted. But it made for an interesting sound, because some of the things [were] fixed and some [were] left distorted. -Jimmy Jam, 2005

Not only did Jackson discover her own voice in terms of the messages she wanted to convey in her songs, but the combination of Jimmy and Terry's production with her developing vocal style became a signature element to Control's unique sonic identity.

"We had all these funky, hard-hitting tracks, and that was kind of our frame of mind, but then we'd give them to her, and she could pull them off because of her attitude and the way she sang, very forcefully, even with a soft voice. She had a great sense of rhythm."

"[Her voice] almost became part of the instruments. Part of the funkiness of the song was the way she would breathe, and the way she would attack certain words. All of those factors kind of went into making it work." -Terry Lewis, 2013

The visual identity of Control was lead by the cover and promo art by fashion photographer and illustrator Tony Viramontes (1956–1988).

Control also solidified Jackson as a music video star. The visions she had for her songs were brought to life via visual storytelling and intricate dance productions, thanks to innovative choreography by Paula Abdul.

"I'm very grateful, because this was really the big start to my career. You don't hear 'Nasty' and go, 'Oh, this is a dance jam.' This could define an artist completely, and I wanted to create something that would be signature moves but also define her as being in charge."

"This video was nerve-wracking for her, because she had never danced with just all guys. But I picked the best in the business, and everything came into place perfectly. I choreographed 'Nasty' in a half hour. And everything worked out." -Paula Abdul, 2014

"There was only one edit in [When I Think Of You]. Otherwise, it was all one take. I worked with Julian Temple, and we brought in Michael Kidd. It was an honor to be able to work with someone who was around during the MGM classics, who understood what we were trying to do."

"There were so many moving parts... It was insane! But it was so rewarding, and every member of that video — from production to every single extra to every dancer — felt like something huge was accomplished. It was big." -Paula Abdul, 2014

The lasting legacy of Control rests heavily on the combination of the album's sonic and visual statements. But Control is evergreen because of Jackson's messages, and the authenticity that is so present in the identity she embodies.

Janet Jackson's work post-Control seems fueled by a fearless creativity that was sparked the moment she arrived in Minneapolis. Through her bold artistic expression her voice was, and continues to be heard. Control is clever, confident, and empowering - just like Ms. Jackson.

So thank you, @JanetJackson. For everything ♥️