Four decades after its release, Control remains the album that truly established Janet Jackson as an artist in full command of her voice, sound, and creative direction.
According to Vibe, Jackson celebrated the project’s 40th anniversary with a special Instagram post, reflecting on the era through a montage of archival footage.
The clip was set to the spoken introduction from the album’s title track, a moment that has since become closely tied to the record. Over time, that opening has come to symbolize the larger shift Control marked in Jackson’s career—one rooted in independence, confidence, and a clear sense of direction.
Jackson captioned the post “Happy 40th Control!” while giving a nod to producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, whose work with her would go on to form one of the most impactful collaborations in pop and R&B history.
Released on February 4, 1986, Control was Jackson’s third studio album and the moment her career truly shifted. After two earlier projects created under close family supervision, the album represented a clear turning point.
Recording mainly in Minneapolis with Jam and Lewis, Jackson helped craft a sound that blended funk, synth-driven pop, R&B, and rhythmic experimentation—an approach that would later help shape new jack swing.
Tracks like “What Have You Done for Me Lately” and “Nasty” made that evolution immediately clear. “Nasty,” especially, emerged as a standout during the recording process.
Terry Lewis later shared that pushing Jackson to deliver the song in a lower register was a breakthrough moment. “When she heard it back, she got this look of surprise and satisfaction,” Lewis told Rolling Stone in 2021, explaining that it helped erase any remaining doubts she had about the album’s direction.
The impact was undeniable. Control generated five top-five singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including “When I Think of You,” which became Jackson’s first No. 1 hit.
The album also reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, remained on the chart for more than two years, and has gone on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide.
At the 1987 Grammy Awards, Control received multiple nominations, while Jam and Lewis took home Producer of the Year, Non-Classical.
More than 40 years later, Control still stands as the launchpad for a legendary run that continued with Rhythm Nation 1814 and janet.
