00:08Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're looking at the most remarkable live performances
00:13from one of the best-selling music artists of all time, and the youngest Jackson family sibling.
00:28Number 10. Greatest Hits Medley, 25th Billboard Music Awards.
00:33Billboard!
00:37Give me a beat!
00:41By 2018, Janet Jackson had already cemented herself as one of music's most influential performers,
00:48making her Billboard Music Awards appearance feel more like a victory lap.
00:53Taking the stage before accepting the prestigious Icon Award,
00:56Jackson delivered a high-energy medley that reminded audiences exactly why she earned the honor in the first place.
01:10Launching into Nasty and If! before transitioning into the fan-favorite Throb,
01:15she showcased the precision choreography, commanding stage presence, and unmistakable attitude
01:21that have defined her career for decades.
01:31The performance struck a perfect balance between nostalgia and celebration,
01:36proving that her star power remained completely intact.
01:39And when Janet got the crowd involved,
01:41the thunderous response said everything that needed to be said.
01:44Now my first name is baby!
01:47What's my name, y'all?
01:52Number 9. Miss You Much, Peter's Pop Show.
02:03Even when performing thousands of miles from home,
02:06Janet had a way of making every stage feel like her own.
02:101989 found the superstar bringing the Rhythm Nation energy to an international audience.
02:16But it was her rendition of chart-topping Miss You Much on German TV,
02:20where Jackson really showed off the confidence,
02:22precision, and effortless cool that were making her a global phenomenon.
02:33The performance gave European viewers a front row seat to the singer who was redefining pop music at the time.
02:40Backed by tight choreography and an infectious groove,
02:43Janet delivered the kind of polished performance that transcended language and borders.
02:48It's a reminder that by the end of the 80s,
02:50she wasn't just an American star.
02:52She was becoming a worldwide sensation.
03:03Number 8. All Night Don't Stop Medley.
03:06Fourth BET Awards.
03:08Just months after finding herself at the center of one of pop culture's biggest controversies,
03:13Janet Jackson returned to the stage at the 2004 BET Awards with something to prove.
03:30Her spoken word introduction may have reflected on the scrutiny she faced following the Super Bowl halftime show.
03:36But from there, Janet let the music do the talking.
03:47performing a medley featuring All Night Don't Stop, R&B Junkie, and the All Night So So Deaf remix,
03:55she brought her trademark confidence and stage presence back to the spotlight.
03:59Joined by Elephant Man, Janet embraced the performance's dance hall influences
04:03while maintaining complete command of the stage.
04:06The result was a spirited comeback moment that reminded audiences
04:10why she remained one of pop music's premier entertainers.
04:22Number 7. I Get Lonely. The Rosie O'Donnell Show.
04:26In fact, it was a third Monday. You came along to be the one for me.
04:34While she celebrated for her groundbreaking choreography and high-energy stage shows,
04:39this 1998 appearance on The Rosie O'Donnell Show highlighted a different side of her artistry.
04:44Promoting her critically acclaimed album, The Velvet Rope,
04:48Janet delivered a stripped-down performance of I Get Lonely that relied on little more than her voice,
04:53a keyboardist, and a pair of backup singers.
04:56I get lonely. I can't wait. Just let anybody hold you.
05:03Seated on a stool for much of the performance,
05:06she commanded the room without the elaborate production audiences had come to expect.
05:10The song's vulnerability and intimacy were allowed to take center stage,
05:15showcasing the emotional depth behind one of her most beloved ballads.
05:19It's a powerful reminder that Janet didn't need intricate choreography to captivate an audience.
05:24Her presence alone was more than enough.
05:35Number 6. Doesn't Really Matter. 17th MTV Video Music Awards.
05:40There are few safer bets than Janet Jackson when an award show needs a blockbuster opening act.
05:46Kicking off the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards,
05:50Janet took the stage and immediately set the tone for the night.
05:53I'm a something about you and the thing you do.
05:55Just as long as it's you, nobody but you.
06:00The chart-topping hit already showcased her ability to blend infectious pop hooks with futuristic production,
06:06and the live performance elevated it even further.
06:10Surrounded by dancers and backed by her trademark precision choreography,
06:15Janet delivered the kind of polished spectacle that had become synonymous with her name.
06:28Opening a major award show comes with enormous expectations,
06:32but she handled the responsibility with ease.
06:35By the time the performance ended,
06:37the VMAs were fully underway,
06:39and Janet had reminded everyone exactly why she was pop royalty.
06:49Number 5. Super Bowl 38 Halftime Show.
06:53Few live performances have generated as much discussion
06:56as Janet Jackson's appearance at the Super Bowl 38 Halftime Show.
07:00More than two decades later,
07:02it remains one of the most analyzed moments in television history.
07:11While the controversy that followed often overshadows the performance itself,
07:16Janet spent the show doing what she always does best,
07:19entertaining millions on one of the biggest stages imaginable.
07:23Surrounded by elaborate production, hit songs, and a star-studded lineup,
07:26she brought the confidence, charisma, and professionalism
07:30that had defined her career for years.
07:39The aftermath may have dominated headlines,
07:42but the performance's cultural impact is impossible to deny.
07:45For better or worse,
07:47it became a defining moment in live television history,
07:49and ensured Janet's halftime appearance would never be forgotten.
08:02Number 4. Together Again 25th American Music Awards.
08:07Few performances capture an era of Janet Jackson's career,
08:10quite like her rendition of Together Again at the 1998 American Music Awards.
08:15Fresh off a landmark Virgin Records deal and the release of The Velvet Rope,
08:20Janet was at the height of her powers.
08:29Opening the show with a remix of a song sitting at number one,
08:32she arrived looking every bit the icon,
08:35complete with fiery red hair and bold aesthetic that defined the era.
08:39Yet, as striking as the visuals were,
08:41the real star was the choreography.
08:48Janet delivered Tina Landon's intricate routine with flawless precision,
08:53staying immersed in every moment.
08:55Returning to the AMA stage after years away,
08:58she reminded audiences why she was considered
09:01one of music's most electrifying live performers.
09:11Number 3. Michael Jackson Tribute
09:1426th MTV Video Music Awards.
09:17Just months after the world lost Michael Jackson,
09:20the 2009 MTV VMAs paid tribute to the King of Pop.
09:24While the evening featured multiple homages,
09:27one moment stood above the rest when Janet Jackson took the stage
09:30for a performance of Scream.
09:40Originally recorded as a duet between the siblings in 1995,
09:44the song took on an entirely new meaning in the wake of Michael's passing.
09:48Performing alongside footage of her brother from the original music video,
09:52Janet created the illusion of one final collaboration.
10:03Equal parts heartbreaking and triumphant,
10:06the performance served as a fitting tribute to Michael's influence,
10:10while also showcasing the talent that runs through the Jackson family.
10:14The same year, she wowed audiences with a number one hits medley at the AMAs as well.
10:25Number 2. What Have You Done For Me Lately?
10:2829th Grammy Awards.
10:30Before the elaborate stage productions and era-defining music videos,
10:34Janet was already proving she could command a crowd through sheer confidence.
10:38Her performance of What Have You Done For Me Lately at the 1987 Grammy Awards
10:42offered an early glimpse of the superstar she was becoming.
10:52Taking the stage with undeniable swagger,
10:55Janet moved across the set with a confidence that instantly separated her from many of her contemporaries.
11:01Joining her on stage were producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis,
11:05the creative partners who helped shape the Breakthrough Control album and its signature sound.
11:17Together, they showcased the charisma, attitude, and dance ability that would soon become trademarks of Janet's career.
11:24Looking back, the performance feels like a statement of intent from an artist destined for greatness.
11:28Wait a minute, I forgot something.
11:37One more time!
11:42Before we continue, check out this single from SoundMojo's album Balance,
11:47classical music reimagined as rock, hard rock, and metal.
11:50Check out the full track and album below.
11:52Gold buys silence, guilt buys prayer.
11:57I am the echo, you can't outrun the jokes on you.
12:03The blade's begun!
12:07Number 1. That's the way love goes and if.
12:1110th MTV Video Music Awards.
12:20By 1993, Janet had fully stepped into a new chapter of her career.
12:25And her MTV VMA performance captured that transformation perfectly.
12:30Delivering a medley of that's the way love goes and if.
12:33She seamlessly blended the sensual, laid-back atmosphere of one hit with the explosive energy of the other.
12:46The performance was unmistakably Janet.
12:49Combining intricate choreography, striking visuals, and the sultry edge that defined the Janet era.
13:03Dressed in one of the decade's most memorable stage looks and surrounded by equally captivating dancers,
13:09she turned the VMA stage into her own world.
13:12Every aspect of the performance reflected her artistic identity at the time.
13:16Bold, stylish, and unapologetically sexy.
13:20More than 30 years later, it remains one of her most iconic television appearances.
13:33Are there any other Janet Jackson performances you can think of?
13:37Let us know in the comments.
13:38A bitter reason.
13:43But for some reason us , you're still the only one who is the
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