Rocktrospectiva: The Massive And Acclaimed "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814" Turns 35

Released on 19 September, 1989, "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814" was the foruth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson, the album is considered a concept album addressing social issues, she drew inspiration from various tragedies reported through news media, exploring racism, poverty, and substance abuse, in addition to themes of romance. The album spawned eight singles "Miss You Much", "Rhythm Nation", "Escapade", "Alright", "Come Back To Me", "Black Cat", "Love Will never Die (Without You)", & "State Of The World". 

 

The album is remarkable for its use of sampling and utilizing heavily swung synthesized percussion throughout its production, the record encompasses a variety of musical styles, such as new jack swing, hard rock, pop, dance and industrial music. The eclectic style of its songs gave appeal across multiple radio formats, so this led the album to become the only in the history of the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart to have seven commercial singles peak within the top five positions. It is also the first album to produce number one hits on the chart in three separate calendar years, beginning with "Miss You Much" in 1989, "Escapade" and "Black Cat" in 1990, and culminating with "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" in 1991. 

 

Following the critical and commercial breakthrough of her third studio album "Control," Jackson was motivated to take a larger role in her album's creative process. So A&M Records requested she record an album similar to "Control". Jackson opposed the idea of a direct sequel to "Control", stating "that's what I didn't want to do. I wanted to do something that I really believed in and that I really felt strong about. She was initially criticized for choosing to dedicate the album's theme to social consciousness, but remained committed.

 

While discussing the origin of the title "Rhythm Nation", Jackson stated she first uttered the phrase during a conversation with her producers, she also based the idea on the prevalence of various youth groups and organizations that are formed as a means of creating a common identity. The usage of the number "1814" represents the year the national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner" was written.

The album was recorded over a period of seven months. Its production took place at Flyte Tyme studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with majority of the album being recorded in the winter of 1988. The LP was produced primarily through use of synthesizers and drum machines, the songs for Rhythm Nation 1814 were mostly recorded using the E-mu SP-1200, which was more commonplace for hip hop music at the time. The Oberheim OB-8 analog synthesizer, the instrumental tracks for "Miss You Much", "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and "Escapade" were among the first to be recorded, considered to be follow-ups to the "beat-heavy, catchy songs. About the sound, the New Jack Swing was at its peak here, this style of music, was immensely popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Though officially credited to the production techniques of Teddy Riley, Ripani theorized Riley was influenced by Jackson's 1986 single "Nasty", which also features a distinctive triplet swing, at the same time the album's diversity catered to a wide variety of radio formats, including pop, quiet storm, Adult contemporary and mainstream rock such as "Black Cat" it was a stand-out for the record, not only for being composed exclusively by Jackson, but for its stark departure from her general style of music, delving into hard rock.

 

The album received generally positive reviews, with a mixed reaction to Jackson's social and political themes considered it a powerful statement on racial integration, social accountability, and personal integrity, a dance record with a ruthlessly frank social conscience that addresses drugs, homelessness, illiteracy and teen runaways. She's reached far beyond dance music's fluffy image to unite even serious rockers and rappers who usually look the other way. The album  is considered a masterpiece due to its innovatie production and lyrical exploration, it was the pinaccle of Janet's artistic achievement, a landmark album that was cited as an influence for many music artists and trends in the years to following, the album was one of 25 recordings inducted into the registry's class of 2020 that are considered to be audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation's recorded sound heritage.

Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 Track List: 

1. Interlude: Pledge 

2. Rhythm Nation

3. Interlude: T.V.

4. State Of The World

5. Interlude: Race

6. The Knowledge

7. Interlude: Let's Dance

8. Miss You Much

9. Interlude: Come Back

10. Love Will Never Do (Without You)

11. Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make)

12. Alright

13. Interlude: Hey Baby

14. Escapade

15. Interlude: No Acid

16. Black Cat

17. Lonely

18. Come Back To Me

19. Someday Is Tonight

20. Interlude: Livin' In Complete Darkness