Janet Jackson Tells Rock Hall to "Induct More Women": Read Her Full Speech
Janet Jackson at Rock Hall 2019 (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
After thanking everyone who got her into the Rock Hall, Jackson laid out a pointed request for the Class of 2020
Tonight, Janet Jackson was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the induction ceremony in Brooklyn. After Janelle Monáe gave a speech, Jackson took the stage. Toward the end of her speech thanking multiple people from throughout her career, she offered a pointed request to the Rock Hall. "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, please, 2020: induct more women. Thank you so much for this honor." Read her full speech below and watch a fan-shot clip here.
Follow all of Pitchfork's coverage of the 34th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Thank you so much. Janelle, thank you so much for your beautiful words. I'm really moved. This is a really big moment. When I was a kid, my dream wasn't to be a singer. I wanted to go to college and I wanted to be a lawyer. It was my father's dream. He wanted me to become this wonderful performer. He encouraged me. He was the first one to encourage me. And music became my passion.
In 1997, my brothers were recognized for their musical passion by being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And I was so, so proud, as you saw in the clip. I was always crashing their rehearsals. I was always tagging along, always with my brothers. I witnessed, along with the rest of the world, my family's extraordinary impact on popular culture—not just in America, but all around the globe. The entire globe. And as the youngest in the family, I was determined to make it on my own. I wanted to stand on my own two feet. But never in a million years did I expect to follow in their footsteps. Tonight, your baby sister has made it.
I didn't do this alone, though, so there are a world of people that supported me along the way and I just wanna begin by thanking my incredibly strong family, my wonderful mother and father, as well as my sisters and my brothers, you guys never stopped believing in me. In the early '90s—no in the early 80s—it was my father who took me to A&M Records when I was this unproven 14-year-old. Herb Alpert, Jerry Moss, they had enough faith in me to give me a record deal and I'm forever grateful to you and the entire A&M family, which includes you Jesus Garber. I also wanna thank Angela Winbush, Renee Moore, Leon Silvers, you guys were the first believers. Two great men, Dick Clark, Don Cornelius, you introduced me to this vast audience and to all the program directors and the DJs all around the world. You supported me and my music for the last 37 years. You've made all the difference and I thank you for that.
Jimmy, Terry, can you please stand up? Please stand up. Please, stand up. In the mid-'80s, you came to A&M Records and you were asked if there was any artist you would want to produce, who would it be? And you guys said, "Janet." That's the real story. That's the real story. You guys are my two dads and so much more. You are brilliant producers, incredible songwriters, wise teachers, and my great friends. I salute you tonight for the body of work that we created but also for your contribution to the world of music. I love you guys so much.
I never thought i was a good dancer but I loved the way dancing made my body feel. And I have to thank all the choreographers I ever worked with, especially Paula Abdul, Anthony Thomas, Tina Landon, and Gil Duldulao. Even when it was hard for me to look at myself in the mirror, you guys made me feel so fabulous. Questlove you have been—can you stand up for me please, Quest, stand up for me please—you have been my biggest champion. Thank you so much. I have to thank my core JDJ team. Jessica Davenport, you were there over 30 years ago when I just started on "Good Times." I love you, Jess. Jaime Mendoza, Terry Harris, you make my daily life run smoothly. Thank you so much.
I also wanna say a personal word to each and every fan. You've been with me every step of the way—through all my ups, all my downs. I have never, never have and I never will, take you for granted. I love you with all my heart. Thank you so much. Thank you God for giving us life and the ability to embody goodness. With God, all is possible and all is good. And I just, I wanna thank my baby, my beautiful son. He wakes me up every single morning singing his own little melodies. He's only 2, you guys. And I want you to know you are my heart. You are my life. And you have shown me the meaning of real unconditional love. Mumma loves you, Eissa, ra-ra-ra! And Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, please, 2020: induct more women. Thank you so much for this honor. I love you so much. Thank you.
TagsRock Hall 2019Janet JacksonPop/R&B
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