An emerging artist will get the opportunity to open for Janet Jackson during her 40th anniversary celebration of Control, with legendary producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins helping make it happen.
Unsigned and up-and-coming musicians have one week left to submit their entries for the Open for An Icon contest ahead of Jackson’s Dec. 12 performance at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The selected winner will get the opportunity to record three songs with Jerkins, receive global media exposure, and enjoy VIP travel and accommodations while opening for the five-time Grammy winner.
Jerkins, who was inducted into the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame, will select the winner alongside Control 40 director Leslie Small and Airtab founder and CEO Dennis Cunningham. His impressive production credits include Brandy and Monica’s duet “The Boy Is Mine,” Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name,” and Janet Jackson’s “Feedback.”
Jackson’s Florida performance will be captured for the upcoming concert film and documentary, Janet Jackson: Control 40, which is expected to premiere in 2027. This year marks 40 years since the release of Control, which dropped on Feb. 4, 1986, and became Jackson’s first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200. It was her third studio album, following her self-titled 1982 project and 1984’s Dream Street.
“40 years ago, my album, Control, it changed my life. And it was the moment that I found my voice,” Jackson said in an Instagram reel shared in September. “And because of all of you, and God, it became this major success for me. I’m really, really excited.”
