At just 19 years old, Janet Jackson released her third studio album, Control, a career-defining project that arrived on Feb. 4, 1986. Widely regarded as her breakthrough, the album signaled a turning point—both creatively and personally—as Jackson took the reins and autonomy over her life and her music. Now, it’s been 40 years since that incredible project debuted. 

Janet Jackson’s Control celebrated its 40th anniversary on Feb. 4.

Jackson, 59, took to Instagram on Feb. 4 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her landmark album, simply captioning the post, “Happy 40th Control.” The understated message barely begins to capture the album’s global influence, one too vast to be distilled into just three words.

Control became her first release to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking a major professional milestone. More importantly, it represented her emergence from the long shadow of the Jackson family legacy. With this body of work, Jackson carved out her own identity and delivered one of the most influential albums in contemporary R&B and pop. The project produced incredible hits such as “The Pleasure Principle,” “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” and “Nasty,” which spent 19 weeks at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album also marked Jackson’s first collaboration with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, a partnership that would prove transformative. Together, they helped define a new sonic space where R&B, pop, and hip-hop intersected, ushering in a bold, forward-thinking sound. Above all, Control announced Jackson’s arrival as a star, one who embraced her womanhood with confidence, intensity, and unapologetic power.

As Jackson’s choreographer during this era, Paula Abdul brought a bold mix of attitude and sensuality to Janet’s performances, helping every Control-era music video and the singer’s onstage performances crackle with energy and excitement. Abdul celebrated the album’s 40th anniversary earlier this month, noting that she wanted to make sure she was giving Jackson her “flowers.”

“Celebrating 40 years of Control and an era that changed my life forever. Watching Janet fully step into her power and creative voice during this time was such a beautiful experience. So many incredible memories from working together,” Abdul wrote. “Also, want to give a huge shoutout to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis @officialjamandlewis for their brilliance on the album, and to all the amazing dancers who were part of this chapter. With love and gratitude.”

Control transformed Janet Jackson into an icon. 

Despite being her third album, Control marked the true beginning of Janet Jackson, the icon. Prior to its release, she was largely known for her acting roles on Good Times, Diff’rent Strokes, and the television adaptation of Fame. Her initial steps into music came at the insistence of her father, Joe Jackson. “I didn’t want to do [the first record, Janet Jackson],” she told The Boston Globe in 1997. “I wanted to go to college. But I did it for my father.”

Joe Jackson tightly controlled her early musical direction, resulting in 1982’s Janet Jackson and 1984’s Dream Street, albums that were youthful, safe, and ultimately lacking a clear artistic identity. Designed to fit within the confines of a domineering patriarch’s expectations, they offered little insight into Jackson’s true voice. As she approached adulthood, however, she was compelled to pursue independence—musically and personally—outside of the family’s control.

That freedom paid off. Control earned four nominations at the 1987 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and showcased a balance of toughness and vulnerability throughout its tracklist. Reflecting on the creative process, Jam explained the unique circumstances that shaped the album’s development.

“With Control, we got an opportunity to make a whole album with her, without scrutiny, because no one was saying, ‘I can’t wait for the new Janet record,’” Jam told The Chicago Tribune last fall, per Billboard. 

Jackson relocated to Minneapolis to work closely with Jam and Lewis at their Flyte Tyme Studios, fully immersing herself in their sound. Taking on a more active creative role than ever before, she shared songwriting and production credits with the duo, influencing arrangements, instrumentation, and the album’s overall tone. In doing so, she infused Control with a personality the world had never seen, one that would define her career for decades to come.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Control, here are 40 of Janet Jackson’s most iconic looks.

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