Throwback Thursday - Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation"
My birthday is in 4 days, so I wanted to dedicate this Throwback Thursday to a song that was on top of the charts during the time that I was born. This song, is one that still is powerful today, Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation".
Rhythm Nation was released in October 1989, but was No. 1 on the R&B/Hip Hop songs, Dance songs and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of January 22, 1990 (my birthday!) The thing that I love about this song is that it has stood the test of time and still has relevance today.
Jackson co-wrote and co-produced the hit, and decided on racial unity for the theme. She would come across people in dance clubs that were of all different backgrounds, but found that the music united them. She says they weren't interested in drugs or drinking but social change, but also loved music and to dance. In a Los Angeles Times interview Jackson said, "I was reading about all these clubs and I thought it would be great if we could create our own nation. One that would have a positive message and that everyone would be free to join." She also believed if it had a beat you could dance to her lyrics would reach the youth, which is the audience she intended for.
The video for the song coincided with the theme perfectly. It was shot in black and white, and had military style costumes and choreography. The video outfit was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it also received the MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video and Best Choreography and the Soul Train Music Award for Best Music Video.
Check out the awesome video!