Rhythm Nation

"Rhythm Nation"
Single by Janet Jackson
from the album Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
B-side	"Rhythm Nation" (Instrumental)
Released	October 23, 1989 (UK) October 24, 1989 (U.S.)
Format	7" single, 12" single
Recorded	January 1989; Flyte Tyme Studios (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Genre	Pop, dance, industrial, new jack swing, R&B, hip-hop, funk, rock
Length	5:30 (album version) 4:27 (single edit)
Label	A&M
Writer(s)	Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis
Producer(s)	Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Certification	Gold (RIAA)
Janet Jackson singles chronology
"Miss You Much" (1989) "Rhythm Nation" (1989) "Escapade" (1990)

"Rhythm Nation" is a song by American pop entertainer Janet Jackson, released as the second single from Rhythm Nation 1814. Written and produced by Jackson and Jam & Lewis, the song's militant, innovative production combines elements of dance pop and industrial music with flourishes of hip-hop, rock, new jack swing, and funk. The song's lyrical content speaks about unification and racial harmony, also focusing on the theme of forming a common identity or "nation" within groups of various ethnic backgrounds and cultures, with its title developed by Jackson in response to various tragedies and crimes reported in the media.

The song is frequently praised and known as iconic in pop culture for its theme of racial unity and the eradication of bigotry and prejudice in society. The iconic "Rhythm Nation" video is considered groundbreaking and one of the most infamous music videos all time, and is notorious for its "post-apocalyptic" warehouse setting, black military garb, and complex choreography, with elements from the clip frequently referenced and imitated by other artists of various genres. The video serves as the finale in the long-form music video Rhythm Nation 1814 Film, which also includes full-length videos of "Miss You Much" and "The Knowledge", notably winning a Grammy Award for "Best Long Form Music Video".

"Rhythm Nation" has received numerous accolades and certifications, including BMI Pop Awards for "Most Played Song" and "Songwriter of the Year" and nomination for "Top Dance/Club Play Single of the Year" at the Billboard Music Awards, with Jackson also nominated for a Grammy Award for "Producer of the Year" for her involvement in the song and Rhythm Nation 1814 album. The song's accompanying music video also won multiple awards, including Billboard Awards ("Director's Award", "Music Video Award for Artistic Achievement"), MTV Video Music Awards ("Best Choreography", "Best Dance Video"), and Soul Train Awards ("Music Video of the Year"), with the video also ranking among the "Greatest Music Videos of All Time" and "Greatest Dance Songs of All Time" by Slant Magazine and voted within the Top 10 "Best Music Videos of the 1980s" by Billboard. The song and video's popularity and acclaim ultimately lead Jackson to win the coveted MTV "Video Vanguard Award" for her massive impact in entertainment and music videos, becoming a role model to the youth for incorporating a positive and socially conscious message within her music videos and performances.

Numerous artists including Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Pink, Nicki Minaj, and Cheryl Cole have cited the "Rhythm Nation" video, choreography, and outfit as a source of inspiration and have paid homage to Jackson. Various tributes include the song and video being recreated on the fifth season of Glee!, a reference in Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" and "LoveGame" videos, the choreography of Beyoncé's "Run the World (Girls)" video and performance of "Ring the Alarm" at the MTV Video Music Awards, Rihanna wearing the outfit on various dates of her Diamonds World Tour, an animated character voiced by Pink performing the song in the film Happy Feet Two, Cheryl Cole paying homage to the video's choreography and outfit in performances of "Fight for this Love", Idolator comparing Selena Gomez's wardrobe in her "Slow Down" video to Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" outfit, and Britney Spears including "Rhythm Nation" in a list of her favorite music videos, also ranking Rhythm Nation 1814 as her favorite album and including the song in an advertisement for her appearance the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, citing Jackson as her main influence. Military themes in music videos also frequently draw comparisons to "Rhythm Nation", with Katy Perry's "Part of Me" contrasted with the clip. Nicki Minaj declared Jackson and the "Rhythm Nation" look as her "style idol", with Justin Bieber also incorporating part of the song's dance routine in performances of "Boyfriend".^[1][2] Various Korean and Japanese pop acts such as Girls' Generation, After School, Crystal Kay, and U-KISS have also covered or paid homage to the song in videos or performances. Michael Jackson was also inspired by the song, initially wanting to name his MJJ Music label "Nation Records" to tribute Janet, though the copyright had already existed. A live tribute of the song was also performed by artists including Pink and Usher at Jackson's MTV Icon special, which had officially declared Jackson as the artist representing the music channel due to her influence, support, and longevity on MTV and in popular culture.

Entertainment Weekly declared the video as "legendary", and Rolling Stone included it in a list of "10 Favorite Dancing Musicians", calling Jackson "a brilliant dancer" who has "arguably had a greater long-term impact on the choreography of contemporary music videos" than Michael Jackson, adding the "Rhythm Nation" video "set the template for hundreds of videos to come in the Nineties and aughts."^[3] The publication also ranked "Rhythm Nation" in a list of the "Ten Best Apocalyptic Dance Music Videos" in 2011, titling it "the gold standard for dystopian dance pop music videos" which features "some of the most memorable choreography in pop video history."^[4] The LA Times also considered Janet's choreography to be "even more enthralling than that of brother Michael".^[5] Speaking about her legacy, an excerpt also read "Ms. Jackson was a mainstay of radio and MTV", adding "her sharp, abstract choreography inspired subsequent generations of pop stars."^[6] The song and choreography is also a mainstay at talent shows worldwide, and has been performed at The X-Factor, Britain's Got Talent, and America's Best Dance Crew, with an Australian music show also named after the song. Various actors and choreographers, including Wade Robson and Travis Payne, have cited Janet and the "Rhythm Nation" routine as a major influence to their careers.

The "Rhythm Nation" outfit consistently ranks as one of the most popular celebrity Halloween costumes annually, with various entertainers also seen wearing the costume each year. The outfit has also been paid homage to on various television shows, including the Disney Channel's A.N.T. Farm, Everybody Hates Chris, American Dad, and Glee!. A "Rhythm Nation"-themed Mickey Mouse statue was mantled at Walt Disney World theme park, and a wax figure of Jackson wearing the outfit was also included in Madame Tussaud's exhibits in Hollywood and New York, as well as Tussaud's Rock Circus exhibit in London. The outfit was also abducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, most recently being displayed in 2011's "Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power" exhibit and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame also includes the song's hand-written lyrics in their Women Who Rock exhibit, also including the song in a class based on female songwriters.^[7]

Jackson was notably asked to perform the song for Queen Elizabeth II and The Royal Family at the "Royal Variety Show", and most notoriously performed "Rhythm Nation" along with "All for You" and a brief excerpt of "The Knowledge" at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show, which resulted in Jackson's breast being accidentally exposed by Justin Timberlake during a surprise duet of Timberlake's "Rock Your Body". The incident led to Jackson being blacklisted from many radio formats and music channels worldwide by entertainment conglomerates involved with the broadcast who were fined by the FCC and taken to Supreme Court following the event, such as Viacom and CBS, and subsidiaries including MTV and Clear Channel Communications. The performance also infamously led to the creation of Youtube, and became the most watched, replayed, and recorded television event in history, as well as setting a record for making 'Janet Jackson' the most searched term and image in the history of the internet.

"Rhythm Nation" continues to influence and be referenced in multiple forms of entertainment and philanthropy, including video games, academic programs, and charity organizations. The Nintendo DS dance game "Rhythm Heaven" was originally announced as "Rhythm Nation", initially titled after the song and Jackson's iconic choreography. Various dance studios have also been named after the song internationally, including the "Rhythm Nation Dance Academy". The success of the song and video also established the "Janet Jackson/Rhythm Nation Scholarship", a monetary award given to students who demonstrate high academic achievement or are actively involved in their school or community.

Background

"Rhythm Nation" is widely regarded as one of the most notorious and iconic songs in pop history, and notably became the second of the historic seven top five singles released from the Rhythm Nation 1814 album. Jackson composed the song's lyrics in response to various tragedies and crimes reported in the media after thinking of the song's title while at dinner with producers Jam & Lewis. The song preached racial unity and harmony among people of all races and cultures who were "looking for a better way of life", also emphasizing the message of putting a stop to "social injustice". The song features a sample from Sly & the Family Stone's 1969 song "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)". It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs and R&B songs charts, also reaching the top ten and twenty of various international charts. An extended edit of the song appears on Jackson's first hits compilation Design of a Decade, while the album version is included on her second hits album Number Ones.

Development and theme

“	"In complete darkness we are all the same, it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separate us. Don't let your eyes deceive you." — Janet Jackson	”

Speaking about the song and album's initial concept, Jackson's frequent collaborator Jimmy Jam said "As we were doing the album, we watched a lot of cartoons, a lot of MTV, videos, and a lot of news — CNN and that type of thing. Whatever we talked about, that's what we wrote about." In another anecdote, Jam recalled "Janet came up with the 'Rhythm Nation' concept. A lot of it had to do with watching TV. We're avid TV watchers, and we would watch MTV, BET...then switch over to CNN, and there'd always be something messed-up happening. It was never good news, always bad news. I think the thing that really triggered it was the Stockton playground murders, which really hit Janet hard. She loves kids." The incident led Janet and Jam & Lewis to record "Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)." "From that point on," Jam concludes, "we decided we should concentrate on doing some songs in that vein and we ended up with 'Rhythm Nation' and 'State of the World', but the concept was her idea."^[9]

Jackson developed the song's theme and lyrics during a conversation at dinner, with Jam explaining "We wanted something to do with rhythm, because that's what Janet's life is about: beat, rhythm. One night over dinner, Janet said, "rhythm nation." I told Terry, and he just sang the melody [Jam sings], "We are part of the rhythm nation." And then I hit [again Jam sings], "The people of the world today, searching for a better way of life," and Janet sings [Jam imitates Janet], "Rhythm Nation." And it just all came together."^[9] While writing the song, Jackson jokingly said "'God, you guys, I feel like this could be the national anthem for the Nineties!'", leading her to think of the album's title Rhythm Nation 1814, which was titled after the year "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the United States, was written.^[10]

Jackson says "Rhythm Nation" has no geographic boundaries, and she envisions a colorblind world bound together in beliefs.^[11] Speaking about the song's development, Jackson revealed "When I first proposed a socially conscious concept, there were voices of doubt. But the more I thought about it, the more committed I became, I no longer had a choice. The creativity took over, Rhythm Nation came alive. I saw that a higher power was at work."^[12] While interviewing Jackson, journalist David Ritz stated "Janet sits on the floor, her legs crossed, her elbows on her knees, leaning into the conversation with open-hearted intimacy. Her manner is demure but warm, her voice so soft and achingly sweet I strain to listen. Words fall from her musically like little poems." "We have so little time to solve these problems," Jackson said. "I want people to realize the urgency. I want to grab their attention. Music is my way of doing that. It's okay to have fun — I want to be certain that point is clear. I have fun. Dancing is fun. Dancing is healthy. It pleases me when the kids say my stuff is kickin', but it pleases me even more when they listen to the lyrics. The lyrics mean so much to me. 'A generation full of courage come forth with me ... things are getting worse ... we have to make them better.' I cry when I hear Marvin Gaye sing 'Children of today will suffer tomorrow.' Artists from the sixties — like Marvin and Bob Dylan — and artists of today — like Tracy Chapman, U2 and Lenny Kravitz — are saying what needs to be said."^[12] "I wanted to reflect, not just react. I relistened to those artists who moved me most when I was younger...Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye. These were people who woke me up to the responsibility of music. They were beautiful singers and writers who felt for others. They understood suffering." "Suddenly I realized that among my friends, we actually had a distinct 'nation' of our own. We weren't interested in drugs or drinking but social change. We also loved music and loved to dance... that's how Rhythm Nation 1814 was born."^[13]

Jackson also explained the song's concept as being inspired by the various "nations" formed around New York City among youth who sought to assert a common identity and bond. "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 said.^[5] "I wanted to take our message directly to the kids, and the way to do that is by making music you can really dance to. That was our whole goal: How can I get through to the kids with this?"^[5] Jackson also said "I thought it would be really neat to do a rhythm nation". "I found it so intriguing that everyone united through whatever the link was. And I felt that with most of my friends. Most people think that my closest friends are in the [entertainment] business, and they're not. They're roller-skating rink guards, waitresses, one works for a messenger service. They have minimum-wage paying jobs. And the one thing that we all have in common is music. I know that within our little group, there is a rhythm nation that exists."^[8]

While "Control" was Jackson's personal statement that she had become her own woman, "Rhythm Nation" expresses Jackson's effort to look beyond herself to the social world around her.^[14] Jackson made an effort for the song and accompanying album to target a youthful audience who may not be aware of socially conscious themes. "I felt that there are a lot of socially conscious albums out there," she said at the time. "The people that sing the socially conscious songs like Tracy Chapman and the Bob Dylans, are singing them to people who are already socially conscious. I feel that the people who listen to our music - a lot of them are younger. They are kind of carefree and go from party to party and they don't really stop and look at what's all around them. I wanted to capture their attention through my music...I think we are doing that."^[15] Speaking to Rolling Stone, Jackson said "I wanted to make the album because there was an audience that wasn't being reached, who really aren't paying attention to what's going on in the rest of the world," she says. "I felt that I could reach that audience through the type of music that I do. I'm not the first person to do this - I know that. I know that I won't be the last." "I feel that most socially conscious artists - like Tracy Chapman, U2 - I love their music, but I feel their audience is already socially conscious. It's like college kids, that whole thing. I feel that I could reach a different audience, let them know what's going on and that you have to be a little bit wiser than you are and watch yourself."^[14] In another anecdote, Jackson exclaimed "A lot of people have done socially conscious albums before," she says. "I'm not the first and I hope I'm not the last." "I feel the mass that they reach, they're already socially conscious. I feel the people that listen to my music, they're really not. They really don't know or pay much attention to what's going on around them. They're kids, and that's why I made this album. Just to hold their attention long enough when they're dancing to the music for them to listen to what we're saying." "A guy came up," she says, "[and] he said, 'Thank you for doing a socially conscious album but for the songs not to be depressing.' Everything we talked about could easily have been depressing."^[16]

	"Rhythm Nation" Jackson fuses dance pop and industrial music with a socially conscious theme on "Rhythm Nation".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Interpreting her reasoning for addressing the various issues facing the world, Jackson asserted she hoped the song's message would persuade the public to make a positive difference and withdraw from prejudice, saying "I know that an album or a song can't change the world, but for people to understand my views and how I feel about certain subjects and things that touched me and maybe for someone who was on the fence, on that borderline, reaching out but not knowing which way to turn, just sort of confused by listening to what I have to say ... If I just touched one person, just to make that difference, make them change for the better, that's an accomplishment." "Maybe I can lead them in a positive direction and that's pretty much what I'd like for them to get from this."^[17] In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jackson stated "You know, a lot of people have said, "She's not being realistic with this Rhythm Nation. It's like 'Oh, she thinks the world is going to come together through her dance music,' and that's not the case at all. I know a song or an album can't change the world. But there's nothing wrong with doing what we're doing to help spread the message." If personal freedom has political implications and if pleasure must be part of any meaningful solution - and it really must - there's nothing wrong with it at all."^[18] On the BBC special Janet Jackson: Taking Control, choreographer Anthony Thomas stated "She would talk about things that really hurt her. Poverty. Racism", "She shared that side of herself in Rhythm Nation … She was just, like, 'Back off – I'm gonna be who I am and I'm gonna speak loudly for myself!' Which was at the same time speaking loudly for women. So she really became an icon of that whole kind of feminist movement."^[19]

Additionally, Jackson said "I know I can't change the world single-handedly, but for those who are on the fence, maybe I can lead them in a positive direction." "What really bugs me is people who go, 'God, how naive can this girl be?' I know that my songs or my albums are not going to change the entire world. [Musician] George Clinton once said, 'Free your mind and your ass will follow.' I heard that some guy said, 'Janet Jackson's got it the other way around.'" She breaks into a fit of giggling. "I'm laughing about it now: 'Free your ass and your mind will follow.' But, you know, it's true."^[20] Jam also gave a similar sentiment, saying "Janet has said a million times, "You're not going to change anybody. But if you've got somebody on the fence, and they're at that point when they're either going to go one way or another, then a little nudge in that direction ain't gonna hurt." So that's all you're trying to do. And it's cool to do that. It's cool to do that and have a hit."^[21]

Critical reception

"Rhythm Nation" received positive reviews from critics, who praised its innovative production style of dance pop and industrial music, as well as the song's sincere message and passionate vocal performance.

Rolling Stone commented "Jackson bought a military suit and ruled the radio" with the song and its "military-style beats", adding "she fashions a grand pop statement with hip-hop funk". The publication also ranked Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 album among the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time".^[25] Additionally, the album was included at number twenty-six on the publication's list of "Women Who Rock: The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time", rating "Rhythm Nation" as the album's "essential moment" which was "biting a Sly Stone guitar lick for a headbanging good time."^[26]

The New York Times ranked the song as "one of the more innovative Top 10 hits of the 1980's", exclaiming "It's easy to see how Ms. Jackson has gauged which radio formats and demographic niches each song should satisfy. But she and her collaborators bring some creativity to the task; "Rhythm Nation" remains one of the more innovative Top 10 hits of the 1980s, merging Laurie Anderson and Parliament-Funkadelic."^[23] An additional critique declared the song to be "a militantly utopian dance-floor exhortation".^[22] Speaking about Jackson's widespread appeal, the publication also said "Ms. Jackson was a mainstay of radio and MTV", with the song described as peddling "beat-heavy" and "danceable" pop.^[6]

The Sun Sentinel labeled the song "upbeat funk-pop" which showcases her "light, breathy voice", also declaring it as one of Jackson's "skillfully packaged pop songs that have made her one of the biggest-selling performers in popdom."^[27] Sal Cinqueman of Slant Magazine praised the track for its "industrial-style social consciousness", while Yahoo! Music labeled the song as "revolutionary" and "militaristic". ^[28][29] "Rhythm Nation" was also ranked as one of the best singles of the eighties by Slant Magazine, considering the song to "fire like artillery" and praising Jackson's "unbridled vocal performance", also revealing the song's statement and impact to be envied by Michael Jackson, saying "Janet's socio-political tour de force opens with an inventory of samples and sounds, including her own "Nasty" and part of the bassline and horn section of Sly and the Family Stone's "Thank You (Fallettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)." But letting you be yourself wasn't on Janet and producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis's agenda. The song doesn't espouse personal freedom; it calls for social justice, with lyrics that promote the virtues of "strength in numbers" and calls for a generation to "come forth with me," or as [critic] Eric Henderson once put it, "unity through mandatory multiculturalism." Just as the costumes and sets for the accompanying music video were worryingly uniform, even oppressive, the music is militant and regimented, with beats that fire like artillery juxtaposed with the typically thin-voiced Janet's unbridled vocal performance. "Rhythm Nation" makes its statement without relying on schmaltz; it's no wonder why big brother Mike was envious of it."^[24] Additionally, the song was also ranked number twenty-one on the publication's list of "100 Greatest Dance Songs", likening the song to "declaring war on quiet storm R&B" and noting the production to "lean heavy on new-jack beats", exclaiming "The sonic playroom that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis built for their pet wind-up pop star Janet Jackson and her do-over debut Control already sounded like the Minneapolis sound declaring war on quiet storm R&B. So it was almost a given that the junior high ethics lessons of the Rhythm Nation project ended up literalizing Jam-Lewis's drum programming-as-armament. "We are a nation with no geographic boundaries," Janet drones without a trace of humor, "pushing toward a world rid of color lines." Get the point? Good, now let's dance with nunchucks." The excerpt also declared Jackson to shift song's "indelible" sample of "bass licks" from a "guarded political optimism into a direct attack on the 1980s' culture of indifference", concluding "Janet's interest in the state of the world only lasted for about half an LP side, but maybe that's part of the statement. First beat justice into the system, then lean back and let the escapades begin."^[30][31]

Sputnik Music proclaimed the track to be "extraordinary", "catchy", and "smart", declaring "We are a nation with no geographic boundaries/bound together through our beliefs" introduces the piece with "Pledge". The sentiments are heavily reflected with the first song and eventual number two single, "Rhythm Nation". The song itself combines (as mentioned) heavy, fast paced production and a group sung chorus; the end result is a catchy, smart single which would appease the Jackson haters and delight the fans".^[32] Another critique declared the track as "the best song Janet has ever done", praising its "mission statement", "frantic beats, the message, the determined vocal performance, the lyrics and the explosive chorus", adding "There are few moments in pop music as thrilling as the transition of the dance breakdown into to the final choruses, complete with Janet going nuts over the ad-libs, as if she was in a trance brought on but just how beyond amazing this song is. And that’s not even mentioning the incredible video."^[33] Music critic Richard Croft praised the song's "powerful" production, declaring "The beats on this song are probably the most powerful ever to be heard in the history of mankind." "From the pledge at the start to the ad-libs over the final choruses, everything about ‘Rhythm Nation’ is huge, important, bashing you over the head with the force of the production. The hook line of “We are a part of a rhythm nation” becomes part of your brain, appearing any time someone says the words “rhythm” or “nation”. Once you’ve given yourself over this group, there’s no escaping."^[34]

People Magazine stated the song builds on a "burnin' hunk o' funk guitar riff", which "urged us to expand our minds while wiggling our hips".^[35][36] Entertainment Weekly analyzed the song as "a chorus line of storm troopers" offering "a paean to the human spirit".^[37] In another review, Vince Aletti of Rolling Stone described the song as a "densely textured, agitated track whose syncopated yelps recall the sampled James Brown squeals of Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's "It Takes Two."^[38] Amazon considered the song "daring" and laced with "high-minded references to societal ills", which was "seldom the favored province of dance music, but a daring attempt nonetheless."^[39] VH1 called it "paramilitary funk", with BET describing the song as "an industrial new-jack-swing sound" likened to "Public Enemy producers the Bomb Squad."^[40][41] Tamar Anital of MTV News exclaimed Jackson "is, and always will be the founding mother of “Rhythm Nation."^[42]

Theme

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame includes the song's hand-written lyrics in their Women Who Rock exhibit, also using the song in a class based on female songwriters, saying "The song exhorts social change in the face of injustice, using music – and by extension, rhythm – as a unifying tool. It’s the perfect platform to talk about song structure (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.) More important, “Rhythm Nation” provides a unique point of view from which to draw conclusions about its author and her era."^[7]

Vince Aletti of Rolling Stone praised the song's theme as "dedicated" and "compassionate", addressing the concept of a "multiracial, multinational network" in a "political" fashion. "Janet Jackson's last album opened with a declaration of independence: "This is a story about control", she announced. "My control." Three years later, her follow-up casts a wider net, moving from personal freedom to more universal concerns — injustice, illiteracy, crime, drugs — without missing a beat." Aletti described the song, saying it "begins with the distant sound of a tolling bell — a muffled memory of a dream deferred, perhaps (let freedom ring), or the still-faint promise of better things to come (ringing in the new). The bell is a warning — the album sounds a series of alarms and calls for action — and apparently a signal that school is in session, because when Jackson speaks, she's reciting a "Pledge": "We are a nation with no geographic boundaries, bound together through our beliefs. We are like-minded individuals, sharing a common vision, pushing toward a world rid of color-lines." ("Pledge" is printed on the album's jacket along with a more telegraphic "Creed": "Music/Poetry/Dance/Unity.") Echoed and supported by male voices (presumably those of her coproducers, co-writers and able coconspirators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis), Jackson addresses her constituency the way a politician might, abandoning the narrow I for the universal we and inviting us to do the same. Dancers of the world unite! The community Jackson, Jam and Lewis imagine and encourage here is an activist extension of George Clinton's one nation under a groove. Their "Rhythm Nation" is a multiracial, multinational network "looking for a better way of life" on and off the dance floor. "Come forth with me," Jackson urges over a densely textured, agitated track". "Though a revolution might make for a terrific video, Jackson isn't suggesting a revolt of the masses, only a kind of compassionate, dedicated people power. Sure, these are protest songs for the upwardly mobile, balancing despair with optimism, anger with hope, in the currently fashionable formula, but they're realistic enough to acknowledge the hard work that goes into change: "No struggle no progress.""^[38]

Slant Magazine labeled the single as a "socially charged calls to arms" which "calls for an almost Zen-like transcendence of self", saying "The song doesn't espouse personal freedom; it calls for social justice, with lyrics that promote the virtues of "strength in numbers" and calls for a generation to "come forth with me," or as [critic] Eric Henderson once put it, "unity through mandatory multiculturalism." "Rhythm Nation" makes its statement without relying on schmaltz; it's no wonder why big brother Mike was envious of it."^[24][24][43] An excerpt of the book Women, Politics, and Popular Culture read "Jackson's early music lyrics also reflected politically driven feminist messages", citing "Rhythm Nation" as a primary example.^[44] Music journalist Richard Croft also stated "‘Rhythm Nation’ is a protest song with a twist. Instead of asking why, it asks how. How can we, the people, try to make the world a better place? It makes you want to get up and do something, make something of yourself, make a difference. If I were to join any dance/music/peace collective founded by an eighties pop star, I would definitely join the Rhythm Nation. And think of all the awesome choreography I’d get to do!"^[34]

An anecdote of the single called it "powerful" and likened the song's content to the message for peace preached by activist Mahatma Gandhi, saying "“Rhythm Nation” sheds light on the problem of apathy, which is common among young people today." "In addition, with lyrics like “People of the world unite / Strength in numbers we can get it right / One time / We are a part of the rhythm nation,” they become aware that by being ambitious, idealistic, and politically active, fighting the good fight will never be impossible." Speaking about the song's composition, the review stated "Jackson composed the empowering lyrics for “Rhythm Nation” in an effort to promote racial unity and harmony among nations by stating, “We are a nation with no geographic boundaries, bound together through our beliefs. We are like-minded individuals, sharing a common vision, pushing toward a world rid of colour lines.” Evidently, Jackson was conscious of the issues that the world was facing, and wanted her music to not only entertain, but to educate others about social injustice." The song's theme of unity based on knowledge and intellect, rather than material objects or wealth, was also praised, exclaiming "Even if one of the main purposes of the media is to promote the goods and services of various companies, Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” does not seem to endorse any particular product or brand name in the lyrics and visual aspect of the music video." "Contrary to popular belief, the video states that wealth is not defined by the amount of money one owns or what social class one belongs to. Instead, it is defined by our ideologies and instincts because as Jackson said, “In complete darkness, we are all the same. It is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us.” Jackson's message in the song was ultimately considered to be well-received, particularly among the youth, with the excerpt concluding "If the “Rhythm Nation” music video were given a different title, “The World Today” would be an appropriate title. Although world issues such as poverty, illiteracy, disease, violence, and global warming continue to exist in this generation, no other generation in the history of humankind has globalized culture, commerce, and technology. More than ever before, the increased familiarity with mainstream media, communications, and technologies has made it possible to change the face of the planet for the better. All it takes is one hopeful individual and the will of the people." "It ["Rhythm Nation"] speaks particularly to young people and encourages them to be the leaders of tomorrow. Jackson passes on the message of social activist Mahatma Gandhi who once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” ^[45]

The New York Times praised the song's "earnest concern" as "a call for unity and good intentions", noting "As for attitude, this time Ms. Jackson has chosen a popular late-1980's gambit: earnest social concern. Rhythm Nation opens with what it calls a Pledge (We are a nation with no geographic boundaries, bound together through our beliefs. . . pushing toward a world rid of color lines.) which, conveniently, unites Ms. Jackson's opposition to racism with an image of a mass audience."^[46][47] Jon Pareles of The New York Times exclaimed "Miss Jackson's team kept the propulsive funk and added worthy, generalized social messages", with Kelefa Sanneh adding the song's subject matter was "flirting with protest politics".^[48][49] Another article from the publication stated Jackson "was eager to rail against societal ills like racism and domestic abuse."^[50] Afro-punk.com stated it to be "nearly impossible not to get up and dance" when listening to the song, also saying "Janet was fed up and wanted social justice and voiced it in one of the most fabulous, bad ass ways possible."^[51]

The song's meaning was also analyzed and praised in a fan letter sent to Jackson included in her self-help book True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself, which said "My friend had your song Rhythm Nation playing on her stereo. I heard the words, "With music by our side, to break the color lines, let's work together to improve our way of life." The words went right to my heart. I felt the immediacy of what you were singing: the crucial need to break down all lines - color, social, even religious. For the first time, I saw what should have been obvious to me years before. The love I was feeling as an adult woman was - and is - something I need to share. It's the love that counts, not the philosophy or theology or psychology behind the love. Love is simple. If it's pure love - if it's the compassionate all-encompassing love of God - it reached outward. It touches others without making demands. It doesn't require membership and it doesn't charge dues. It's free. Maybe I'm naive. Maybe I've misinterpreted your song. But that's the message it gave me. We're all part of the Rhythm Nation, whether we live in the U.S. or Senegal, whether we're Jewish or Muslim, Baptist or Buddhist."^[52]

"Rhythm Nation" was also used as a positive example in an article in the publication which questioned if songs about the world's ills have an impact on society, explaining "a militantly utopian dance-floor exhortation, written by Ms. Jackson with her producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song calls for racial harmony and cooperative struggle to create a better, stronger world."^[22] The LA Times proposed the song to be "big on community, stressing social consciousness for a young target audience and proposing a prejudice-free "rhythm nation."^[53] Adversely, entertainment content provider Muze disapproved of the song's theme, saying "Little did you know that the American national anthem, "God Bless America", was written in 1814 [inaccurate, "The Star Spangled Banner"]. Janet did, and she sets out in Rhythm Nation to dish out a bit of "let's all work together for a better world and improve our way of life" type thing", adding that while admirable, "she sounds so much more convincing singing a good old-fashioned love song", ignorantly concluding "The Jacksons were meant to dance, not to sermonize."^[54]

Music video

The famous black-and-white, military-inspired "Rhythm Nation" video was directed by Dominic Sena in August 1989. It was the finale in the Rhythm Nation 1814 Film, following videos for "Miss You Much" and "The Knowledge". Famous for its high-octane choreography in an abandoned factory, the video won an Best Choreography and was nominated for Best Dance Video at the MTV Video Music Awards, where Jackson also received the MTV Video Vanguard Award for her massive contributions to pop culture and entertainment.^[55][56] "Rhythm Nation" ranked thirty-seven on VH1's "Greatest 100 Videos" and forty-four on MTV's "100 Greatest Videos Ever Made". The video features a young Tyrin Turner. Sena was a relatively unknown director at the time, and the success of "Rhythm Nation" allowed him to later direct blockbuster films such as Swordfish, Gone in 60 Seconds and Season of the Witch.

Development

The "Rhythm Nation" video was filmed simultaneously with the videos for "Miss You Much" and "The Knowledge", which were later combined to form the long-form music video Rhythm Nation 1814 Film. The video was filmed over a period of twenty days at the Pasadena Power Plant in Pasadena, California, and served as the finale in the series of videos.

Speaking to MTV, Jackson commented on working with Sena and the video's concept. "I knew who I wanted to direct "Rhythm Nation," that was simple: Dominic Sena. After working with him on "Let's Wait Awhile", I absolutely fell in love with him. He would get so excited and so expressive with his hands - I can see him right now - and he'd put his hair behind his ear with his finger. Dominic understood story, and he could put onscreen, from front to back, the whole picture you had in your head. The foggy, smoky street and the dark, black-and-white tone, that was all intentional. When you've done a lot of videos, it can be difficult to keep it fresh and new. You have to try something you've never done, in fear of looking like something you've already created."^[57] The video was shot in black-and-white, Jackson says, to locate everybody's skin tone within shades of grey, portraying the Rhythm Nation's slogan: "We are like-minded individuals, sharing a common vision, pushing toward a world rif of color-lines."^[16] "One critic said that "Rhythm Nation" is 'dark,'" Jackson says. "The album, the cover, the video - everything. But I think he might be missing the message we're trying to convey. First of all, there was a reason the video was shot in black and white and not in color. There were so many races in that video, from Black to White and all the shades of gray in between. Black-and-white photography shows all those shades, and that's why we used it."^[11]

"We're living in a very visual time right now," Jackson explains. "That's why videos are so important. Before, they really weren't. They play such an important part in the music business. The next is the live show. But the first they ever see of you is the video."^[58] Describing Jackson on the set of the video, journalist David Ritz said "Janet Jackson's mood seems retiring, but underneath, like so much else about her, there's more than meets the eye. For hours she obliges the camera during a grueling photography session on a sun-soaked day at the Pasadena Power Plant, a central locale for her black-and-white-dance video, a mysterious and metaphorical work dramatizing the concerns of Rhythm Nation. Those concerns linger on Janet's face. Look carefully and you see a quiet sadness. Her clothes reflect her mood - the structured black waistcoat, the conspicuous absence of Hollywood glitter. As a model, she's cooperative to a fault, yet inwardly shy. For one who seeks the spotlight, she appears embarrassed by attention. Still she's easy with her small entourage, whispering rather than barking, suggesting rather than ordering."^[12]

Jackson was often questioned for her choice of black attire and uniforms, saying "A lady came up to me and asked, 'Why do you always wear so much black? Is it because it is slimming?' I got so mad. Of course, I know that my weight fluctuates. We all know this. I told her if I were skinny I would still wear black. I would wear it even if the fashion experts say the color black is out. How could the color black be out?", she asked. "I feel the positive messages that we are trying to bring in about black are pushed out."^[11] "Wearing black shows that for once that you can represent something positive and not negative," she emphasizes, and offered harsh words for those who equate negativity with the color black, referring to the day the stock market crashed being known as "Black Monday." "I'm just so tired of all that, I really am", Jackson responds. Jackson recalled being hurt over the comments of an African-American critic who considered her black attire "drab" and disapproved of the video being filmed in black and white, saying "He's been brainwashed because he can't see what I'm trying to show - and that hurt me so bad. I would hope that everyone will understand that for once black represents something good."^[11] "That's why I decided the color scheme for Rhythm Nation - the costumes, the cover art, the overall feeling - would be positively, uncompromisingly Black."^[12]

Multiple critics had chastised Jackson for wearing all-black attire in the video, producing the "Rhythm Nation" video in black and white, and using the song and album to espouse her socially conscious views. Several label executives also reportedly told Jackson the album and video wouldn't have "crossover" appeal. But the decision-makers at A&M Records not only recognized the vision of Jackson's new nation, but supported her idea of doing a 30-minute film on it, with the "Rhythm Nation" video being "the most far-reaching single project the company has ever attempted."^[11]

In another interview with MTV, Jackson again described the concept saying "The concept basically was very industrial black and white, not wanting any color brought to it" - "no color lines is was it was, so everyone is all somewhat of the same kind of tone." "Dominic Sena directed it, it was a twenty day shoot. A lot of work, long hours."^[59] Sena also commented "She's always out there trying to give people something different and fresh, and exciting to look at. If it's been done before she doesn't want anything to do with it, it's like 'let's start over'. Part of the reason she gravitated toward a new choreographer this time, a young guy who hadn't had that much experience, an amazing street dancer, and they developed a rapport and she said 'nobody's seen this guy's stuff before, I'll work with him. We'll develop these steps and give people something fresh to look at."^[60]

Although sometimes miscredited as being inspired by Michael Jackson, Janet had spoken of the idea of involving military themes in her performances and music videos years before "Rhythm Nation" came to fruition.

Long-form music video

The full-length music video, known as the Rhythm Nation 1814 Film, consists of the videos for "Miss You Much", "The Knowledge", and "Rhythm Nation", with all videos filmed simultaneously over a period of twenty days. The long-form video runs a total of thirty minutes in length, receiving a Grammy Award for "Best Long Form Music Video" and influencing future long-form videos such as Lady Gaga's Fame film, directed by Steven Klein. The long-form video premiered in full on September 16, 1989 at 6:30 PM on MTV to high ratings, and was aired again several times the following week.^[61]

Speaking about the full-length Rhythm Nation 1814 Film, Jimmy Jam said "The concept for the half-hour, long-form video was already in the works when we recorded the album. Janet's choreographer was here, so we knew what the steps were going to be for the songs, how the story would be treated, and how the video was going to look. It gave us another dimension on what we were doing. We actually tried to make the album sound a little like the black-and-white images in the video, rather than adapting the video to the album. A lot of the music was treated almost as soundtrack."^[62]

While filming "The Knowledge", Jackson collapsed from exhaustion after filming for over 25 consecutive hours, explaining "That's the one area where I must be careful. Sometimes I won't sleep, won't stop reviewing, won't stop searching for ways to improve the projects. The projects absorb me. When we were filming the long video, I actually collapsed. We were doing the segment called "The Knowledge," and, just like that, I announced that I needed to be taken to a hospital. I was losing it. Simple exhaustion. My recovery was quick, and my energy is good, but there are times I forget I've been at it for 25 straight hours."^[63] Describing the situation, journalist David Ritz, who attended the video's filming, commented "Looking at "The Knowledge," it appears that Janet's physical breakdown came at the emotional climax of the video. "Prejudice, no!" she cries, kicking and smashing windows with the anger of a soul possessed. "Ignorance, no! Bigotry, no! Illiteracy, no!" she bemoans, before falling onto the ledge of the roof, dangerously positioned on the edge, ominous clouds of change racing overhead. Is a storm clearing or gathering? Will we escape disaster?"^[63]

Critical reception

The "Rhythm Nation" video received extremely favorable reviews from critics and journalists, who mainly focused on the video's theme of unity, black-and-white scheme, and portrayal of intensely difficult choreography. Comparing Lady Gaga to Jackson, Kyle Anderson of MTV News described the controversial "Rhythm Nation" video as "the clip that sent Jackson into the stratosphere as an envelope-pushing pop star."^[64] Speaking about her legacy, an excerpt also read "Ms. Jackson was a mainstay of radio and MTV", adding "her sharp, abstract choreography inspired subsequent generations of pop stars."^[6]

Entertainment Weekly called the video "legendary", and Rolling Stone included the video in a list of "10 Favorite Dancing Musicians", calling Jackson "a brilliant dancer" who has "arguably had a greater long-term impact on the choreography of contemporary music videos" than Michael Jackson, adding the "Rhythm Nation" video "set the template for hundreds of videos to come in the Nineties and aughts."^[3][65] Rolling Stone also ranked "Rhythm Nation" in a list of the "Ten Best Apocalyptic Dance Music Videos" in 2011, titling it "the gold standard for dystopian dance pop music videos" which features "some of the most memorable choreography in pop video history", adding "Shot in stark black and white and set in a smokey, oppressive factory setting, Jackson leads what appears to be a hip paramilitary organization through some of the most memorable choreography in pop video history. The future may look bleak, but at least it's funky."^[4] Furthermore, the publication also called the clip "a terrific video".^[38] The Sun Sentinel praised the video's theme and choreography, also noting its frequent influence in subsequent pop videos, saying "What happens when you mix social responsibility with a cocktail of funky dance moves so synchronized and sharp, even seasoned cheerleaders shudder? You get the dark, futuristic, unforgettable video for Rhythm Nation's title track." "No one can witness the militaristic precision of Rhythm Nation, which gives the impression that a really angry pep squad has taken over the dance floor, and not see how Janet's style has been sampled, borrowed and stolen over and over ... and over."^[66]

In 2013, Cosmopolitan listed "Rhythm Nation" among the "10 Most Iconic Music Video Looks of the 80s", saying "How do you step out from behind the shadow of the world’s biggest pop star? You strap on some black, wear a key as an earring and dance like you’re going to war. Janet is a style General and all the rest better fall in line."^[67] Slant Magazine ranked the video among the "100 Greatest Music Videos", calling it "one of the most intricately and powerfully choreographed music videos of all time." "Culled from a long-form video which told the morality tale of two shoeshine boys who discover the Rhythm Nation (the mini-musical also included "Miss You Much" and the rarely seen "The Knowledge"), the unity-themed "Rhythm Nation" clip stands on its own as one of the most intricately and powerfully choreographed music videos of all time. The solidarity of Janet Jackson's multi-racial Rhythm Nation dancers is evoked with hyper-synchronized movements while their individuality is expressed via their separate, distinct dances."^[68] Additionally, Slant Magazine observed Jackson "saw dance as a movement in both senses of the word: an athletic extension of ones own socio-political force of will and a great uniter…no, make that obliterator of races, genders, creeds, even". "Janet's dance nation is a hard, angular, geometric battle plan, and as the title track's stunning, monochromatic video clip confirms, the schematic first calls for an almost Zen-like transcendence of self."^[69] The publication also stated "if the song's music video inadvertently recalled the spirit of Leni Riefenstahl, its vision of unity through mandatory multiculturalism reverses the Nazi demagogue's ideology."^[30] Additional commentary on the clip read "The military inspired dance video was directed by Dominic Sena and was admired for being shot completely in black and white. Black and white wasn’t the norm for most things in the 80s, let alone a pop music video." ^[51] Another review considered the "black-and-white, military-inspired music video" to be "groundbreaking", as well as "famous for its dynamic choreography in an abandoned factory", exclaiming "Fast-paced and bold, viewers become hooked to the catchy tunes and soulful sounds of the groundbreaking dance video." "The music video is very different compared to many mainstream videos today."^[45]

PopEater commented "Known for her scene-setting, story-telling videos, her call to action video for 'Rhythm Nation' is no exception", also adding "her military-styled high kicks and dance sequences take the cake."^[70] Entertainment Weekly rated the video as "groundbreaking", with the clip also called "a stark, militaristic image", as well as "striking, timeless and instantly recognizable".^[41][71][72] Furthermore, Yahoo! Music called the video "powerful" and laced with "intense cinematography".^[73] Elena Gooray of 34th Street Magazine praised the video's overall theme, concept, and wardrobe, exclaiming "Janet’s messages? Justice, togetherness, the power of dance. Those ideas are simple and almost by definition inoffensive. Her use of military themes? Only to inspire her wardrobe and some incredibly synchronized dance routines with bangin’ choreography. She seems to understand that as a pop star, her expertise is in the world of the aesthetic. Any pop reference to the military should stay within that realm (or else go the extra mile to produce a truly thoughtful message)."^[74] Music journalist Richard Croft considered it "captivating" and one of the best music videos ever made, saying "Anyone with an interest in music videos, dancing, military jackets or nunchucks – you need to see the short film that accompanied ‘Rhythm Nation’. It is incredible, one of the top five music videos ever made. I’ve never seen dancing like that in a video, and no matter how many times I see it, I can never look away. It’s captivating. ‘Rhythm Nation’ is the most empowering, come-on-get-up song in the world. They should play it before sporting matches like the national anthem. Yet the lyrics never say that thinking positively and coming together is all we need to do to achieve our goals – there was work to do in 1989, there’s work to do now. No struggle, no progress."^[34]

A whimsical analysis of the video's potential cryptic meaning considers it to take place in the "shadowy darkness" of a warehouse, with "inexplicable steam that keeps billowing like something mechanical is having an orgasm", continuing "We start off in some huge and creepy warehouse, where we don’t really know what’s going on other than someone forgot to put color film in the camera. Everything is all black and white. There’s an ominous elevator coming down from somewhere, water dripping down the walls, and menacing machines all over the place that probably have evil functions that we don’t want to know about. Janet and her little friends are doing that monotone voiceover, sounding like Franciscan monks practicing for an exorcism. Little Mary Sunshine would hate this place." "Suddenly, we’re in a part of the warehouse where it looks like someone has converted a sinister loading dock into a dance floor, which proves to be very helpful, because Janet and her Rhythm County dancers have just arrived." " Janet jumps into view, finally kicking off the vocals. She starts explaining why we are all part of the rhythm nation, but it’s a little hard to pay attention because she’s sporting this ginormous, vaguely military medal on her chest. (What the hell did she have to do to wing that?) Speaking of military, everybody is dressed in garb that looks like some type of dark-ops cadet corps. We’ve got a serious uniform fetish going on here. But their intimidating boots sound really good when they stomp them on the floor, so it’s all good." "We spend a while on the loading dock, occasionally cutting over to this odd, really long room where Janet and the Janettes march toward the camera in a dominating manner, sort of like the “uh oh, that’s not good” scenes in Night of the Living Dead when the zombies band together and storm the old wooden house. (Maybe if the video producers hadn’t decided to film in black and white, I wouldn’t have gone there, but they did, so I did.)" "We eventually find Janet and a few of her closest backup dancers in yet another part of the warehouse, where they are doing a special routine that mostly involves them striking various poses that require them to hold their fists up in front of their faces. Okay, then, they are prepared to fight. But, um, what are they fighting? The steam?" " We make another visit to the loading dock, because it’s time for another major line dance, this one having something to do with everybody pointing their fingers and thrusting their hips. It’s all very well done, of course, because you don’t get to be in a Janet Jackson video unless you know what the hell you’re doing. The backup dancers are hitting every critical plot point in the choreography as if their lives depended on it. And really, it does. You get your ass kicked off a Jackson shoot, you better have a Plan B for your career choice." "Another shot of the young man wandering around Area 57 when he should be finding an exit door. Instead of fleeing, he decides to pause and watch Janet and the drill team continue with their exuberant rhythmic moves. I’m not sure why he’s forced to review the dancing from the other side of a chain-link fence (what is that all about?) but it’s a good thing that he decided to stick around, because this is the section where the choreography goes into overdrive, with the dancing folks performing moves that most humans couldn’t accomplish without a personal trainer and lots of free time on their hands."

The review continued "This part goes on for a very long time. Not that this is a bad thing, it’s just that the energy unleashed during this segment is enough to power the city of Newark for three years. I was completely exhausted, and all I did was push play. If we could get that kind of power unleashed during election season, the whole country might be in a better place. Food for thought, yes? (Quit eating nachos and watching reruns of Sex in the City, get in the car and go vote.)" "Then we head to what I’m assuming is one of the basement levels of the warehouse. (No one handed me a map, so I’m just guessing here.) In this bit, Janet and a select cadre of dancers are performing an interpretive piece that I believe has something to do with… hell, I don’t know. We have cameo dancers who are very limber and can do the splits. They are very invested in their craft, and they perform some admirable moves, especially the one guy (girl?) with the nunchucks. S/he’s whipping those things around with an intensity that would certainly make me pay attention to whatever cause s/he represents. I’m writing out a donation check right now, you can let me know what I just supported some other time. Please don’t whap me upside the head with something on the end of a chain." "Next up, we roll into a montage of Janet and the High-Kicking Cadets doing their thing all over the warehouse. Sometimes we have just a few of them doing something intricate in a shadowy hallway, other times we have the entire population of Nevada doing pelvic thrusts in a massive steam-drenched room full of metal walkways that might be a gay bar in SoHo. Eventually we get to the point where Janet and Friends are doing that extended sequence where they keep popping their heads to one side repeatedly, in what looks like a very painful dance move." "I guess it really doesn’t matter, because we head into the last bit of the story, with Janet and the Janettes doing a final line dance on the loading dock, wherein they seem to be telling the story of what happens when you add sugar to your already-sugared breakfast cereal. These folks are caught up in a synchronized fervor that makes you lose weight from simply watching the video. Seriously, just keep hitting play and you’ll drop a dress size or two. Promise." "Then the dancers all suddenly hunch over to the right and freeze. End trans."^[75]

Long-form reception

The full-length Rhythm Nation 1814 Film received generally positive commentary from critics.

Rolling Stone described the full length piece as a "mini-musical" which "told the morality tale of two shoeshine boys who discover the Rhythm Nation".^[68] The New York Times commented "Along with the album, Ms. Jackson has released a 30-minute video that juxtaposes her dance routines with grim urban imagery and a plot line about drugs versus dreams."^[47] Chris Willman of The LA Times considered the telemusical "ambitious" and "fun", saying "What little script there is in this half-hour "message" film is deadly, but plenty of fancy footwork saves the day. The can-humans-really-do-that? choreography in the three dance numbers is on a par with, and may even top, the best of brother Michael's hoof-happy videos." Describing the video's individual clips, Willman said ""Miss You Much" is full of joy and giddy goofiness, and establishes shyly grinning Janet—a real team player in this big production number—as winsome and human after some of her earlier ice-goddess poses. "The Knowledge" and "Rhythm Nation" are angrier performances; the former is a bravura solo rooftop dance, with Jackson breaking windows and knocking over objects in rage at the dying of the light. What connects these numbers is an anti-drug story, unfortunately bolstered by the glitziness-among-the-L.A.-ruins imagery of "Blade Runner." Director Dominic Sena's "slick penchant for neato futuristic grime was also praised, as well as Jackson's intense choreography, adding "the big-bass songs and the dazzling dancing say what the hokey script can't. Her feet, her body, her grace and her lightning speed are fine arguments for sobriety indeed."^[61]

Choreography

The "Rhythm Nation" video's choreography is considered one of the most instantly recognizable and imitated choreographed routines in entertainment history, with various entertainers attempting to master the routine. "She's not a trained dancer," choreographer Anthony Thomas said about Jackson. "It comes from her soul. She's a natural. She's unbelievable."^[76]

Rolling Stone included the video in a list of "10 Favorite Dancing Musicians", calling Jackson "a brilliant dancer" who has "arguably had a greater long-term impact on the choreography of contemporary music videos" than Michael Jackson, adding the "Rhythm Nation" video "set the template for hundreds of videos to come in the Nineties and aughts."^[65] Rolling Stone also ranked "Rhythm Nation" in a list of the "Ten Best Apocalyptic Dance Music Videos" in 2011, titling it "the gold standard for dystopian dance pop music videos" which features "some of the most memorable choreography in pop video history", proclaiming "Shot in stark black and white and set in a smokey, oppressive factory setting, Jackson leads what appears to be a hip paramilitary organization through some of the most memorable choreography in pop video history. The future may look bleak, but at least it's funky."^[4] The LA Times considered Janet's choreography to be stunningly impressive and "even more enthralling than that of brother Michael".^[5] The publication also exclaimed Jackson's "dazzling dancing" and the "The can-humans-really-do-that? choreography" in the video " is on a par with, and may even top, the best of brother Michael's hoof-happy videos", adding "Her feet, her body, her grace and her lightning speed are fine arguments for sobriety indeed."^[61]

Billboard commented "Ms. Jackson and her crew put on their military jackets and did the finely choreographed routine that fans everywhere wore out countless VHS tapes rewinding to memorize."^[77] Sweat, Tears, and Jazz Hands author Mike Weaver commended the video and Jackson's impact on choreography, declaring "Her Rhythm Nation music video, praised for its probing lyrics and video and production innovation, made her recognized and respected dancer and performer in the industry. Janet Jackson and her crew's innovative, one-of-a-kind, funk-and-groove choreography was unlike anything seen in the history of pop music." "By the early '90s, every show choir and every hiphop dancer wanted to cut and paste parts and pieces of the Rhythm Nation production into their set. And some groups were even able to pull it off."^[78] The book Gender and Qualitative Methods detailed the choreography suggests "self-control and military discipline" - "they move in unison and in the same rhythm, dancing like roots, with stiff square arm movements", with the routine also "hinting at Asian martial arts".^[79] The Orlando Sentinel observed Jackson to " exhibit Swiss-watch precision" in the video's choreography.^[80]

Slant Magazine exclaimed the video "anointed Janet the ambassador of intricately choreographed", with "Rhythm Nation" being "one of the most intricately and powerfully choreographed music videos of all time."^[28][68] The Guardian said the choreography was "made famous by its memorably routine- infested video", with the routine described as "an aerobic goose step" by The New York Times.^[81][82] Yahoo! Music stated the video's "intense cinematography" ultimately "set the bar right" for pop singers and entertainers "with her intricate dance moves and intense choreography."^[83] BET ranked the video as having the "Best Dance Moves in a Music Video" in 2013, commenting "No color was needed for this black and white military-inspired video from Janet Jackson's fourth studio album because the dance moves — from the finger count down to the standing split — were as crisp as the uniforms."^[84] Geico also noted The Running Man dance gained fame and popularity through Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" video.^[85]

Commenting on the backing dancers, another critique stated "The dancers in the music video are representative of social activists and the empty surroundings stand for the indifferent attitudes in society." Jackson and her dancers were considered "confident, courageous" and displaying "unmatched conviction", commenting "About the same number of men and women are featured as professional dancers, promoting gender equality in society. With the exception of the segment near the end of the music video that includes freestyle dancing, most of the video consists of Jackson with background dancers performing a synchronized dance routine. Judging by the serious facial expressions and vigorous body movements of Jackson and her dancers, the men and women in “Rhythm Nation” are confident, courageous, and display unmatched conviction."^[45] Jackson and her dancers were also analyzed to "march toward the camera in a dominating manner" while simultaneously "performing moves that most humans couldn’t accomplish without a personal trainer and lots of free time on their hands." The routine was also considered "well done", with the critique adding "you don’t get to be in a Janet Jackson video unless you know what the hell you’re doing. The backup dancers are hitting every critical plot point in the choreography as if their lives depended on it. And really, it does. You get your ass kicked off a Jackson shoot, you better have a Plan B for your career choice." Providing additional commentary on the video's intense choreography, the excerpt stated "Sometimes we have just a few of them doing something intricate in a shadowy hallway, other times we have the entire population of Nevada doing pelvic thrusts in a massive steam-drenched room full of metal walkways". "This part goes on for a very long time. Not that this is a bad thing, it’s just that the energy unleashed during this segment is enough to power the city of Newark for three years. I was completely exhausted, and all I did was push play. If we could get that kind of power unleashed during election season, the whole country might be in a better place." "These folks are caught up in a synchronized fervor that makes you lose weight from simply watching the video. Seriously, just keep hitting play and you’ll drop a dress size or two. Promise."^[75]

A brief scene possibly depicting sexuality in the video's choreography was also debated, though the video was ultimately praised for its depiction of social themes, explaining "Although there are no sexually explicit lyrics or messages in “Rhythm Nation” that would be obvious to audiences, there is a short scene two minutes and thirty eight seconds into the music video that is somewhat sexual. During that scene, Jackson and her male and female dancers, placed their hands behind their head, and then pushed the front part of their body forward twice. It is debatable whether the scene was meant to be sexual or not, but it definitely caught the attention of music critics and viewers alike. Other than that, the music video is very different compared to many mainstream videos today. Instead of using sexual elements to attract audiences, it portrays the strong bond between entertainers and social activists with a common goal."^[45]

An excerpt of the book Parallel Lines: Media Representations of Dance also gave a detailed analysis and description of the long-form video's styles, portrayal of choreography and achievements:

“	"[In the video] Janet Jackson secures a threefold achievement: she satisfied the dictates of the commercial pop industry by creating a dance image which is significantly different from her earlier work; she demonstrates that, despite fame, she is still in touch with contemporary youth pop culture and its fashions; and finally, she utilizes, not the dance traditions of the Hollywood musical" - "but the work of a young black man whose training is outside the institutions of Western and theatre." "Immediately distinctive in each of the three dance routines in RHYTHM NATION 1814, is the narrow personal kinesphere of the dancers, as they executive a drilled series of isolated movements in strict succession on the spot. Any momentary relaxation, in order to move rhythmically and loosely to the musical beat, is instantly superseded bu further dense sequences of abrupt, bound moves in which accentuate the floor-bound verticality. Legs tend to flex directly beneath the hips or, if flung out, the energy is directed downwards to provide firm supports, rather than suggest any trace of the European theatrical heritage of hip mobility and leg extension, apparent in Janet Jackson's earlier stage jazz work. The upper body articulates poses, seemingly if fleetingly redolent of meaning; fingers are clenched, pointed, and fanned out; arms are folded, place akimbo, or thrust into semaphore-like positions, and hands touch the body often in ritualistic rather than sensuous manner. These rapid disjunctive stills are presented with an intensity of control and commitment, each performer narrowly focused onto his or her individual front. Small movements such as a rapid sideways deflection of the head or a lifted, then instantly replaced shoulder, are performed with the same urgency and dynamic attack as larger moves. Any sense of spacious ebb and flow of energy, as traditionally understood in the dance phase, is replaced by a rhythmically and spatially concise inventory in which no one motif is privileged. The result is a tough, choppy, independent style which invites us to admire intricacy, efficiency, and control. Whilst providing a unifying style, the choreography (actually the result of four inputs) is intended to express three different situations in the video: Janet Jackson's status and the sense of camaraderie among her friends at the club, her frustration and anger on the rooftop, and the determined resolution of all, led by the star, to right evil through the disciplining power of dance and music in the final sequence. In the first dance number, Miss You Much, the action match and rapid cutting helps to heighten the sense of pace and activity. The camera work is nonetheless unobtrusive, allowing us views, both long and medium, from the front and side, of what appears to be a continuous dance, with Janet Jackson positioned centrally in the action. Camera angles change almost every two beats with longer views provided by tracking, often in a gentle, sweeping curve to the right of the dancers, or dallying back to widen the frame. High angle shots display Janet Jackson as a central focus, with dancers ranked on either side, and above and below on the tree tiers of the Chaplin stage in Hollywood. The camera work grants a sense of depth and perspective in a piece where most of the images, such as the stacked figures within the set, the unison choreography performed on the spot, and the monotones of the low-key picture quality, work towards projecting a two-dimensional quality. Towards the end of Miss You Much, a low shot of feet traveling into the dance space from screen right signals the start of a trio for Janet Jackson, flanked by two men, which, in its use of bar-room style chairs and bowler hats, suggest reference to the tradition of the cabaret and musical. As the dancers demonstrate their skill and agility in manipulating the props, the camera records the section in long shot, with a minimum of close-ups on the star. It is only short, but the more documentary approach successfully throws emphasis on the slick precision of both dancers and choreography. Up on the roof, Janet Jackson's frustration and anger is vented through lashing out at objects [during "The Knowledge"], through occasional jumps, runs, and fall to the ground. These actions do not form material for a continuous sequence of dance phrases, but appear as isolated expressions of pent-up emotion. The frame frequently widens to allow her room to move across the roof-top, the camera swinging up and back, or traveling alongwise. The non-sequitur of precise location (as when the camera follows her fall downwards, beyond her position on a small bridge-like structure to discover her immediately upright beneath it) are not problematic in a viewing sense, since the disjointed outbursts of rage do not require any genuine semblance of naturalistic continuity. Instead, the editing, and particularly the camera tracking, convey a feeling of contained energy, especially as the closing quartet of dancers is again composed of a sequence of hard-hitting moves on the spot. In the final sequence ["Rhythm Nation"], the dancing friends, fronted by Janet Jackson, have become a uniformed, formidable army, whose controlled energetic moves and shouts project a disciplined resolution to inspire others through dance and music. Their rhythmic cohesion as one body is evident from the opening sight and sounds of their militaristic drill, before the driving beat of the song stills them into an orderly yet highly charged display of control and unity. Cutaways to the watching boy, followed by camera angles which steal upon the dancers from different perspectives, enable the viewer to share his wonderment. Drawn up in rows, the regiment of dancers operate in precise unison, broken briefly by virtuoso individual solos and finally by a simple but effective canon which catapults the display to a dynamic and punchy conclusion, in a pose evocative of the finale of the bowler hate routine in the first number."[86]	”

Outfit

The iconic "Rhythm Nation" outfit worn in the video and performances of the song is extremely famous throughout pop culture, with many critics comparing ensembles which resemble the outfit to Jackson. Numerous tutorials on how to design the "Rhythm Nation" outfit can be found, with designer website ThriftCore exclaiming "If you don't know what Rhythm Nation is, remove yourself from this blog and educate yourself on YouTube this instant."^[87]

A description of Jackson's wardrobe reads "With a fearless red-lipped pout and long black ponytail", Jackson "sports an iconic look. She comes dressed in a black baseball hat with a metal "1814" applique, a black military-style shirt jacket with silver buckles and faux leather straps and collar, black belted pants and chunky, strappy boots. Special details, including "Janet's signature key earring and silver "1814" pins", ensure that Jackson "is as striking, timeless and instantly recognizable as the video she's inspired from." Another analysis raved Jackson "certainly made military fashion look sexy, sophisticated, and edgy."^[72] Another analysis of the video's militant wardrobe observed "Most of the men and women in the music video are dressed in black, cadet-style costumes that cover the entire body except the face. They can be seen wearing black leather gloves and military hats. Jackson and some of the other female dancers are wearing an earring on each ear with a key attached to each one."^[45] A biography of Jackson detailed her decision for the uniform, reading "She decided that her performances would center around her and her dancers, who would act as "soldiers" in a kind of army of reformers. Her outfit was a dark, buttonedup uniform, and she moved in tight formation with her dancers."^[88] Describing her appearance, The New York Times also commented "the black-and-white video, all military imagery, stars Ms. Jackson buttoned up tight in a tailored uniform, with an Army issue coat, epaulets and combat boots".^[82] An additional article from the publication noted "Ms. Jackson, done up in black military-inspired garb, was eager to rail against societal ills like racism and domestic abuse."^[50]

Chris Ryan of MTV praised Jackson's look as trendsetting, saying "The hat, the hoops, the all-black everything military garb? Janet took her place at the top of the trendsetting heap with her look from the title track’s video off her 1989 smash album." Rebecca Thomas of MTV News also commented "The youngest Jackson made a signature of dangling-key earrings, boxy black hats and suits adorned in gold hardware".^[89][90]

Julianne Escobedo Shepherd of MTV Style spoke about the song, video, and outfit's influence, recalling that "everyone wanted to dress like her" and dance classes would "dedicate hours" to the video's choreography. "For her second album Rhythm Nation 1814, she took her menswear even further. It was a concept album about a world in which social disparity is eradicated, so Janet went in for the military hardware and the world flipped. "Rhythm Nation," the song, was so influential that in my dance classes at the time, the teacher would dedicate hours to teaching us the dance from the video, and everyone wanted to dress like her—black leggings, military jackets, ballcaps. She had her own personal Rhythm Nation hardware and bondage straps; I can't figure out or remember if she predated the Boy London hardware caps, but both were around the same time, and she was influential enough that it's not unlikely her steez gave them the idea."^[91]

Yahoo! Music denoted "Every Janet Jackson wardrobe varies depending on her albums and concert appearances. The Rhythm Nation 1814 album and single garnered huge success and was complimented with a powerful music video. During this era, the superstar wore more simplistic attire for her performances."^[73] An additional analysis considered the video's wardrobe as "intimidating" and a "uniform fetish", saying Jackson and her dancers are "dressed in garb that looks like some type of dark-ops cadet corps."^[75]

Other aspects of Jackson's outfit are also regarded as trendsetting and influential within pop culture, such as her key earring, black snapback hat, and ponytail. Essence also praised Jackson as a trendsetter, commenting "Janet’s military-inspired look was as tight as her dance moves. She started her own movement with the hoop earrings with the solo key."^[92] Another anecdote recalled "Janet’s pulled-back hair topped with a black cap became her signature look during the success of “Rhythm Nation."^[93] Retail outlet Karmaloop called Jackson's snapback hat "80s signature style", also selling a hat based on Jackson's in the video due to Jackson's continued popularity.^[94] MTV credited Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" look as one of the reasons for the snapback hat's recent revival in popularity.^[95] Jackson commented on the key earring she wore in the video as being the key to an animal cage, explaining "I still have this Rhythm Nation outfit. The key thing started when I was a kid." "I kept the cage key on my earring."^[96]

Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" outfit continues to receive various accolades and recognition due its iconic status. In 2011, Entertainment Weekly included the outfit at number nineteen on a list of "50 Stars Who Rocked Fashion", commenting Jackson adopted a "crisp military look for the ladies — with epaulets, cadet caps, fierce tailoring — in Rhythm Nation.".^[97] In 2013, Lucky Magazine ranked "Rhythm Nation" among "The 18 Most Stylishly Influential Music Videos of All Time".^[98] The same year, Cosmopolitan listed "Rhythm Nation" among the "10 Most Iconic Music Video Looks of the 80s", saying "How do you step out from behind the shadow of the world’s biggest pop star? You strap on some black, wear a key as an earring and dance like you’re going to war. Janet is a style General and all the rest better fall in line."^[67]

In 2013, Alexander Fury of The Independent called Jackson a "style icon", exclaiming "the artwork created with Eighties illustrator Tony Viramontes for Control stands the test of time, as does the video for 1989's "Rhythm Nation", adding he was "obsessed" with the video's "get-up of quasi-military uniform accessorised with a single key on a hoop earring." Fury also said Jackson "deserves a place in the fashion hall of fame".^[99]

Unity and equality

The themes of unity among the dancers and various ethnicities in the video, as well as equality among both genders, has been a frequent topic of discussion in reviews and critiques of the clip.

Slant Magazine observed individuality as well as solidarity portrayed among the dancers, saying "The solidarity of Janet Jackson's multi-racial Rhythm Nation dancers is evoked with hyper-synchronized movements while their individuality is expressed via their separate, distinct dances."^[68] The New York Times praised Jackson as a feminist for the positive portrayal of sexuality in the video, proclaiming "Although most female characters on MTV are still reclining, swept off their feet by the fantasies of self-serving musicians and video directors, more singers are getting up and standing on their own two feet. You only have to catch Janet Jackson's hit, Rhythm Nation to be convinced that a change has taken place. The black-and-white video, all military imagery, stars Ms. Jackson buttoned up tight in a tailored uniform, with an Army issue coat, epaulets and combat boots, leading a coed crew in an aerobic goose step - a far cry from the lascivious bodies in various states of undress that flood the channel."^[82]

34th Street Magazine applauded the video's implication of gender neutrality, saying "Just to score one more point for Janet — even if this can’t be said for all of her videos, “Rhythm Nation” makes a far superior statement on the fluidity of gender. In this video, men and women dress and dance identically and no one’s really sexualized. Everyone just knows how to move. In other words, sometimes the best way to send a positive message is not to try so damn hard."^[74] An additional critique also commended the clip's theme of activism and leadership, responding "Instead of using sexual elements to attract audiences, it portrays the strong bond between entertainers and social activists with a common goal." The review concluded the video "speaks particularly to young people and encourages them to be the leaders of tomorrow. Jackson passes on the message of social activist Mahatma Gandhi who once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”^[45] A biography of Jackson stated the video "introduced the world to a hard-hitting Janet clad in military attire, backed by a veritable army of dancers whose aim it was to spread a message of love that was neither naive not superficial."^[100]

Most notably, the review also comments on the video's portrayal of gender and racial equality, lauding Jackson for eliminating racial stereotypes among different cultures, which had often plagued African-American women at the time. "Because the music video preaches justice and equality, having a fair representation of different races would make sense. Evidently, the video features dancers of African-American, Caucasian, and Asian ancestry. Occasionally, a fairly young black male would observe Jackson and her dancers after going through a time of mental anguish. Janet Jackson, the lead vocalist and dancer, is an African-American who is known for breaking existing racial stereotypes specifically toward African-American women. Due to the stereotyping of black women in the media, it is sometimes believed by several ignorant individuals that all women of African-American ancestry are submissive maids, sex kittens, or obnoxious complainers. Jackson, on the other hand, proves that she is a socially responsible citizen with dignity and grace."^[45]

An analysis of the video placed strong emphasis on the clip's portrayal of activism among Jackson and the backing dancers, saying "The dancers in the music video are representative of social activists and the empty surroundings stand for the indifferent attitudes in society. By featuring entertainers that appear to be making a change, viewers are encouraged to be more involved with their community. In addition, with lyrics like “People of the world unite / Strength in numbers we can get it right / One time / We are a part of the rhythm nation,” they become aware that by being ambitious, idealistic, and politically active, fighting the good fight will never be impossible." Jackson and her dancers were also observed to portray strength and confidence in gender equality, commenting "About the same number of men and women are featured as professional dancers, promoting gender equality in society. With the exception of the segment near the end of the music video that includes freestyle dancing, most of the video consists of Jackson with background dancers performing a synchronized dance routine. Judging by the serious facial expressions and vigorous body movements of Jackson and her dancers, the men and women in “Rhythm Nation” are confident, courageous, and display unmatched conviction." The review concluded "the music video is very different compared to many mainstream videos today. Instead of using sexual elements to attract audiences, it portrays the strong bond between entertainers and social activists with a common goal."

The video was used as an example of "positive gender performance of black women in a music video" in the book Gender and Qualitative Methods, reading "Janet Jackson's early 1990's video "The Rhythm Nation Compilation,' produced a new kind of desire and a new position for a female viewer (and listener)". "At the beginning of the video the directors comment on them, constructing Jackson as a creative, intelligent professional, someone who aims at promoting the status of black people, especially women. The video begins with the words 'We're a nation with no geographic boundaries - pushing forward a world rich of colour lines'. In a stylized factory setting we see a young black man, with tears in his eyes, watching the dancing Jackson and her companions. The lyrics call on people to act collectively to improve social conditions. 'Lend a hand to help your brother do his best - Let's work together to improve our way of life.' The choreography suggests self-control and military discipline. Jackson and the other dancers are dressed in identical black uniforms: they move in unison and in the same rhythm, dancing like roots, with stiff square arm movements. The factory environment, the black-and-white scenery and the choreography hinting at Asian martial arts, underline the atmosphere of remorseless determination. Jackson is also dressed in a uniform and is performing asexually and almost anonymously in front of, but as one of the members of the group."^[79]

The video was also one of the only popular music videos considered suitable to be broadcast to US troops in Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf due to religious restrictions on the portrayal of female sexuality. Commenting on the situation, VH1 executive Jackie Sharp said "It's the perfect women's video, because they're all buttoned up to the neck and nobody touches".^[101]

Chart performance

"Rhythm Nation" debuted at number forty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the week's highest new entry, depriving rival Madonna of another consecutive Hot Shot Debut on the chart.^[102] The single peaked at number two on the chart, only second to Phil Collin's "Another Day in Paradise".^[102] The song also charted within the top ten or twenty in Canada, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and New Zealand, also peaking in the Top 25 in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Belgium, also charting in Australia and Germany. However, a physical single for the song was not released in all territories which effected its chart positions, and Jackson relied more on album sales than singles sales at the time, with her Rhythm Nation 1814 album more than doubling its domestic sales worldwide.

Live performances

Jackson performed the song on Top of the Pops and Peter's Popshow in Germany during the song's initial promotion. Jackson had also performed the song for Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family at the "Royal Variety Show", which celebrated Elizabeth the Queen Mother's ninetieth birthday. Jackson's pants split during the performance due to the song's vigorous choreography.^[103] A live broadcast of the performance from the janet. World Tour was aired on MTV, along with several of the show's other performances. Jackson also performed "Rhythm Nation" on the Ellen DeGeneres Show during promotion for her tenth studio album Discipline, and later performed the song at the "America United Concert" benefit event and the Essence Music Festival. The song was also performed on all of Jackson's following tours.

Jackson notoriously performed "Rhythm Nation" along with "All for You" and a brief excerpt of "The Knowledge" at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show, which resulted in Jackson's breast being accidentally exposed by Justin Timberlake during a surprise duet of Timberlake's "Rock Your Body". The incident led to Jackson being blacklisted from many radio formats and music channels worldwide by entertainment conglomerates involved with the broadcast who were fined by the FCC and taken to Supreme Court following the event, such as Viacom and CBS, and subsidiaries including MTV and Clear Channel Communications. The performance also infamously led to the creation of Youtube, and became the most watched, replayed, and recorded television event in history, as well as setting a record for making 'Janet Jackson' the most searched term and image in the history of the internet. The performance is regarded as one of the most iconic events in entertainment history.

Top of the Pops [104] Royal Variety Show [105] Peter's Popshow [106] Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show (with "All for You", "The Knowledge", and "Rock Your Body") Ellen DeGeneres Show [107] MTV's janet. World Tour special (Live broadcast) [108] America United Concert [109] Essence Music Festival

Rhythm Nation Tour janet. World Tour The Velvet Rope World Tour All for You Tour Rock Witchu Tour Number Ones, Up Close and Personal Tour

During Jackson's MTV Icon special, Pink, Mýa, and Usher each paid tribute to Jackson by performing several of Jackson's earlier hits including "The Pleasure Principle", "Miss You Much", and "Alright" before gathering together to perform "Rhythm Nation".

Jackson has performed "Rhythm Nation" on all of her tours, wearing various ensembles for each tour's performance. On the Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour and the janet. Tour she wore a military suit, wearing an army suit for performances on The Velvet Rope Tour. Jackson wore a black catsuit for the song's performances on the All for You Tour, wearing a black body suit and white blouse with a black tie underneath on the Rock Witchu Tour. When she performed the song on the Number Ones: Up Close and Personal World Tour, she wore a black jacket with buckles and black pants.

Reception

In a review of the Rhythm Nation World Tour, Jennifer Running of The New York Times praised the live rendition of the song, saying "A wedge of hard-driving bodies moves like a robot battalion in precision drill through Rhythm Nation, the title song of Janet Jackson's current national tour. Legs chop wide open, then close again. They shoot out abruptly to the sides, then kick into jazz spins and bouncing splits to the floor. There are sedate pelvic jerks and a swiveling turn on a toe, trotting runs and purposeful syncopated walks. But essentially these are bodies rooted into the floor, taut yet alive in the way of a boxer edgily biding his time in the ring."^[110] A review of the song's performance during a concert in Tokyo, Japan detailed "she donned a paramilitary uniform with medals and billed hat--a getup mimicked by many of her fans--to close the show with "Rhythm Nation" - "The choreography, a cross between break-dancing and military maneuvers, sent some spectators dancing into the aisles."^[111] The video's massive success prompted many fans to dress like Jackson at the show, as well as for future, concerts. "The mountain of curly black hair, the motorcycle-style leather jacket, the basic black outfit underneath. And oh yes, the signature house-key as earring were all out in full force this week as Janet Jackson wanna-bes swarmed to see her perform at the Forum. Hey, was that Janet Jackson standing in line for her own concert? No, but you sure could have fooled most people. The look-alikes were all ages--from 10 to thirtysomething. Vanessa Simmons, 10, wore all black with an "1814" pin, the name of Jackson's latest album, and a baseball cap with the words "Rhythm Nation" printed on it. That's the name of Jackson's tour. Lisa Hewett and Beatricz Giraldo wore Jackson's big-hair style and key earrings. "Janet is my favorite singer and dancer," explained Betty Maine, 9, who wore a Janet Jackson T-shirt to the show. "I want to be just like her."^[112] One reviewer characterized part of Jackson's show as a "pop-feminist rally", while another compared her ability to work up the crowd by chanting "Prejudice, no!" to Jesse Jackson's galvanizing his Rainbow Coalition.^[113] Various celebrities such as Whitney Houston were also reported to attend the show.

MTV News considered the performance on The Velvet Rope Tour to feature "the characteristic, Russian-style military suit she wore in the video, corresponding with the song's rigid, robotic dance movements." The LA Times exclaimed "imitating the pseudo-Egyptian hand motions seen in the videos for "If" and "Rhythm Nation," she becomes a human musical medley."^[114] The Daily Telegraph considered the performance "show-stopping" and displaying "hyperbolic tension".^[115] The live rendition of the song on the All for You Tour was analyzed as a "neon-lit number straight out of Blade Runner" and "climatic", while Rolling Stone exclaimed Jackson performed "a stunning rendition of "Rhythm Nation" on which Jackson showed that even near the end of the two-hour show, her voice was unwaveringly powerful, carrying the "Sing it people/Sing it children" lines like a flag on the Fourth of July."^[116][117] The Guardian commented "Rhythm Nation, made famous by its memorably routine- infested video, is the ultimate example, the tight, regimented moves playing off against the structured, sassy beats."^[118] The New York Times considered the performance suitable for Nickelodeon ""with a segment that turns her dancers into animated toys and storybook figures" despite Jackson's often steamy nature, also likening the performance to the Sci-Fi Channel with "cat-suited dancers doing robot moves to Rhythm Nation."^[119]

The performance of "Rhythm Nation" on the Number Ones, Up Close and Personal was declared as "smokin'", with a review saying "Clad in a sleek silver catsuit so tight it was a miracle she could even breathe, let alone walk, let alone shimmy, let alone writhe on the stage during "Feedback", let alone pull of the kung-fu dance moves of "If" and "Rhythm Nation," Janet Jackson kicked whatever bad mojo lingered from her Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction straight out of the Reliant Stadium rodeo chute. Girl was smokin'." The Courant also praised the performance as "long on mechanical bluster."^[120][121] The Daily Telegraph exclaimed Jackson had "the whole building shifting and swaying to a dynamic Rhythm Nation" during the tour's performance in London.^[122] MuuMuse also praised the performance, writing "And as always, the singer’s dance moves were simply spot-on: Janet sliced her way through tight, sharp choreography–from the militant steps of “Rhythm Nation” right down to the same exact breakdown routine from the 1993 MTV VMA performance of “If.”^[123] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian praised the number, exclaiming Jackson "segues into an even more ferocious take on Rhythm Nation: if she wanted to remind people how commanding a presence she can be, she's done her job."^[124]

Legacy and influence

Various aspects of "Rhythm Nation", including the song's theme, production and the video's choreography, outfit, and post-apocalyptic setting, have influenced a wide array of entertainers, actors, choreographers, and performers, who have directly cited Jackson and "Rhythm Nation" as an influence to their careers. Among the numerous entertainers who have referenced or paid homage to "Rhythm Nation" in their songs or videos include Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Cheryl Cole, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Girls' Generation, Sleigh Bells, Nicole Scherzinger, Jessie Ware, Jamie Lidell, Prince, U-KISS, Selena, Peter Andre, Ciara, Chris Brown, 'N Sync, and Michael Jackson, among many others. The New York Times credits Jackson as a source of frequent inspiration for future popstars and entertainers, exclaiming "Ms. Jackson was a mainstay of radio and MTV" with "danceable" pop singles such as "Rhythm Nation" and "That’s the Way Love Goes", also exclaiming "her sharp, abstract choreography inspired subsequent generations of pop stars."^[6]

The video's massive impact on choreography has heavily influenced subsequent generations. Numerous dance groups in various schools and dance organizations have been named after the song worldwide, with a notable example being the United Kingdom's "Rhythm Nation", a dance-based organization with clients including Nintendo, Disney, Marks & Spencer, and BBC's CBBC.^{[125][126][127]} Jackson's videos, the "Rhythm Nation" and "If" video in particular, are also credited to many fans and performers as being their first introduction into athletic dancing. An account from Pink is the New Blog recalled studying the video's choreography in dance class for a year, calling the experience "epic".^[128] The term is also used to denote musical skill or involvement, with instructional book Set Your Voice Free: How To Get The Singing Or Speaking Voice You Want labeling the process of learning vocal techniques as "Joining the Rhythm Nation".^[129] The song and video's success, innovation, and impact has also become one of the media's standards for Jackson whenever she releases new material, with an example being Entertainment Weekly questioning if Jackson can "recapture a rhythm nation" on her upcoming eleventh studio album.^[130]

Music and video

Influence from the "Rhythm Nation" and its video have been observed in many videos from artists spanning various genres, most notably from pop entertainers who draw influence from Jackson's classic "Rhythm Nation" style. Reporter Richard McComb stated "They have all tried to copy it – Britney, Cheryl Cole, Noel and Liam Gallagher", though added "but no one has improved on the original."^[131] The Sun Sentinel commented "No one can witness the militaristic precision of Rhythm Nation, which gives the impression that a really angry pep squad has taken over the dance floor, and not see how Janet's style has been sampled, borrowed and stolen over and over ... and over."^[66] Buzzfeed ranked the "Rhythm Nation" video as Jackson's best and most influential video, exclaiming it to be "The ultimate Janet Jackson video. This was the moment Janet went from Michael Jackson’s little sister into a powerhouse in her own right. She also basically pioneered the dancing in a warehouse, post-apocalyptic, industrial setting video. So, Britney (“Till The World Ends”), Rihanna (“Hard”), Lady Gaga (“Alejandro”), and even the Spice Girls (“Spice Up Your Life”) – you all have Ms. Jackson to thank."^[132] Jackson and "Rhythm Nation" are also paid homage to in the Legends In Concert series.

Britney Spears included "Rhythm Nation" in a list of her favorite music videos during promotion for her sixth studio album Circus, also ranking Rhythm Nation 1814 as her favorite album, which Spears said she listens to before recording to obtain a proper mood. Influences from the "Rhythm Nation" video were also observed in several of Spears' videos and performances, including "Til the World Ends", "Me Against the Music" and "I'm a Slave 4 U". The post-apocalyptic industrial warehouse setting of Spears' "Till The World Ends" video drew comparisons to "Rhythm Nation", as well as Jackson's "All Nite (Don't Stop)" video'.^[132] Spears also included "Rhythm Nation" interspersed with "I'm a Slave 4 U" and "I Wanna Go" in an advertisement for her appearance at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, which also recreated Jackson's iconic Rolling Stone cover and uncensored janet. album cover.^[133][134] Citing Jackson as her main influence, Spears also tweeted about the ad, saying she was "proud" to have Jackson in the promo as her biggest inspiration.^[135] Spears also referenced the song while tweeting Jackson on her birthday in 2013, exclaiming "Happy happy birthday to @JanetJackson!! I've been part of the #RhythmNation for as long as I can remember!!" ^[136][137] With Jackson's performing style and choreography a mainstay on Spears, PopEater deciphered Spears' "I'm a Slave 4 U" video as comparable to Jackson, saying it "comes across as 'Rhythm Nation' in the slums", with the clip also noted to draw influence from Jackson's "Someone to Call My Lover" and "If" videos.^[138] With Jackson considered the standard for female choreography and performing, The Orlando Sentinel praised Spears' performance of "Toxic" on The Onyx Hotel Tour saying "The polished choreography resembled Janet Jackson, circa Rhythm Nation 1814."^[139] In a critique of Spears Oops!... I Did It Again Tour, a review also stated "Spears has copped a lot of Janet Jackson's old concert act and cleaned it up for a younger audience." "Spears, along with a five-piece band with two backup singers and seven dancers, put out a 75-minute set of "Rhythm Nation" precision."^[140] Additionally, Spears performance of "Boys" on The Circus Starring Britney Spears Tour was described as a "Rhythm Nation-like military stomp" by MuuMuse.^[141] Film journal Reverse Shot also observed "all the moves copped from Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” video" in the choreography in Spears' video for "Me Against the Music", which also reportedly drew influence from Jackson's "I Get Lonely" and "Alright" videos.^[142] Spears requested the song to be played during various photoshoots, also praising the song on VH1's "100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons" special.^[143] Us Weekly likened a red jacket worn by Spears on The Circus Starring Britney Spears Tour to being influenced by Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" outfit.^[144] Additionally, Entertainment Weekly compared parts of Spears' cover of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" from her sophomore album Oops!...I Did It Again to "Rhythm Nation", saying "The No, no, no chorus becomes a rhythm-nation chant."^[145]

Several of Lady Gaga's music videos and performances have drawn inspiration from Jackson and "Rhythm Nation". Gaga's "Alejandro" video was notably influenced by "Rhythm Nation", with Rolling Stone observing the clip was "sporting shades of Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation".^[146] MTV News stated Gaga's video "seems to also borrow from Janet Jackson‘s iconic clip for “Rhythm Nation,” which "also used sharp black-and-white and muscular dance moves." Chris Ryan of MTV also commented "the martial stepping in a factory setting" to be reminiscent of the video.^[147][148] An additional description of the video said "the depressed mood, robotic dance moves and black clothes channel Janet Jackson and “Rhythm Nation”, and The Village Voice commented "the sexy/military theme here feels like it'll be content to recall Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" video and call it a day".^[149][150] Buzzfeed considered several of the settings and dance sequences in Gaga's videos to draw "endless" inspiration from Jackson's videography, commenting "The nod to Janet is perhaps an acknowledgment of Janet’s influence on Gaga over the years. “Rhythm Nation” video is just one particular video that’s provided endless inspiration for her, with its ground-breaking industrial factory setting and her troupe of backup dancers — an image that Gaga frequently emulates in her own videos."^[151] Vogue Magazine described a performance on Gaga's Born This Way Ball tour to tribute Jackson, commenting "she and her troupe of dancers do a lengthy homage to Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” to the Gaga song “Scheiße".^[152] The theme and production of Gaga's "Born this Way" was also compared to "Rhythm Nation".^[153] Additionally, Entertainment Weekly also described Lady Gaga's "LoveGame" video as inspired by the video's choreography, involving "bondage-loving biker-gang dancers who back the Lady through a routine that’s part Rhythm Nation".^[154]

Beyoncé has incorporated elements of Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" in several videos, as well as live performances at the MTV Video Music Awards and Grammy Awards. PopCrush noted Beyoncé's "Run the World (Girls)" video to be influenced by the clip, "which is said to have borrowed its militaristic themes from Janet Jackson‘s ‘Rhythm Nation’ video".^[155][156] Beyoncé's performance of "Ring the Alarm" at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards also used part of Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" choreography, with Entertainment Weekly calling it "Rhythm Nation, only on the wrong side of the law" and another publication saying it "culminates in a total Rhythm Nation dance sequence".^[157][158] PopEater also said Beyoncé "took a moment to channel Janet Jackson circa Rhythm Nation" during the set.^[159] The Associated Press also commented "the out-of-place dance number in the middle seemed to steal the choreography from Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation".^[160] Additionally, The New York Times described the theme of Beyoncé's performance of "If I Were A Boy" at the 2010 Grammy Awards" as "Rhythm Nation goes totalitarian".^[161] Rihanna and her dancers on the Unapologetic promotional tour wore outfits resembling Jackson's, with MTV observing "Rihanna outfitted her super-agile dancers in full Janet Jackson "Rhythm Nation"-era regalia for the opening numbers, including her wistful "Love Without Tragedy/ Mother Mary" and "Phresh." The youngest Jackson made a signature of dangling-key earrings, boxy black hats and suits adorned in gold hardware for her fourth studio album back in 1989, and the look was recreated with perfect twists onstage in BK [Brooklyn]."^[162] MTV also described outfits worn on the Diamonds World Tour as inspired by "Rhythm Nation".^[163] Another review of the tour stated "Her outfit was a throwback to Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation outfit which came across to us as a respectable gesture to the Pop icon."^[164] The dancer's appearances were also examined as "dressed in black and gold, recalling “Rhythm Nation 1814”-era Janet Jackson".^[165] Buzzfeed observed elements of the "Rhythm Nation" video, as well as "You Want This", in Rihanna's "Hard" video.^[132] Spin also noticed Jackson's influence in the video, saying "Donning an array of military-themed outfits, each with varying degrees of undress -- think Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" meets Christina Aguilera's "Dirrrty" phase".^[166] Jackson's influence was also seen in Rihanna's performance of "Pon De Replay" at the House of Blues, with The LA Times saying "Rihanna opened her hourlong set with a scrappy garage-pop take on "Pon De Replay" that offered a sign that she's been looking to "Rhythm Nation"-era Janet Jackson for stylistic cues".^[167] Additionally, Rihanna's River Island clothing line was considered a "'90s-grunge-meets-Rhythm-Nation collection" by MTV News.^[168]

An outfit worn by Selena Gomez in her "Slow Down" video was compared to Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" outfit by Idolator. Observing Gomez's "shoulder pads and baby face" in the clip, MuchMusic also questioned "Can you not see Janet Jackson, circa Rhythm Nation?"^[169][170] VH1 likened the choreography of Justin Beiber's performance of "Boyfriend" on The Voice to draw influence from Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" routine, observing Bieber was "ending the performance with some Rhythm Nation-esque moves".^[2] Cheryl Cole's outfit and choreography during performances of "Fight for this Love" on The X-Factor and other venues was inspired by "Rhythm Nation", with several publications also commenting on the tribute. One analysis declared Cole as "wearing the Janet Jackson, Rhythm Nation-’inspired’ military uniforms with a troup of backing dancers" while on tour, and another reviewer observing "a sexy, sequence track-suited Chezza whipping out the military moves like Janet in her Rhythm Nation days of sass" while performing the song on The X-Factor.^[171][172] When reviewing Cole's performance of the song at the 2010 BRIT Awards, Dose Magazine stated Cole "apparently hired out Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation army to perform "Fight For This Love.""^[173] MuuMuse also commented Cole "broke into a militant strut a la Rhythm Nation", while Digital Spy noted Jackson's "sartorial influence on a certain glossy-maned Geordie pop pony - who knew Chez wanted to be part of the Rhythm Nation?"^[174][175] Elements from the "Rhythm Nation" video were also noted in Cole's "Fight for this Love" music video.^[176] Nicki Minaj ranked Jackson as her "style idol" in People Magazine, saying "In "Rhythm Nation" she was sexy, strong and mysterious. I always loved the jet black hair, especially the ponytail with the hat. That's how I tried to dress when I was little."^[1] Pink covered the song in a medley with Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure" for the film Happy Feet Two, and had previously performed a dance tribute of the song's choreography with Usher and Mýa on Jackson's MTV Icon special. Christina Aguilera included the song in her A.P.E. radio station, and The Denver Post likened Aguilera's performance of single "Fighter" on the Justified and Stripped Tour to the song, saying "she was best with "Fighter," the "Rhythm Nation"-inspired track that had dancers owning the stage".^[177] Nicole Scherzinger included the video in a list of her favorite choreographed music videos.^[178] The industrial production of Scherzinger's "Poison" was also compared to the song, with a review likening the track as reminiscent of "the insides of a dark factory and Nicole dressed like Janet Jackson “Rhythm Nation style, in all black clothes with a military state of mind."^[179] Scherzinger's promotional tour was also observed to be inspired by Jackson, with an anecdote calling saying Jackson's "Rhythm Nation Tour obviously ‘inspired’ everything here from costumes to heavy dance choreography".^[180] Kylie Minogue's "Everything is Beautiful", which appears on her eleventh studio album Aphrodite, was described as "Backed by a Rhythm Nation beat" by Australian website Sound Alliance, and Minogue's producer Stuart Price praised the album's title track for its "‘Rhythm Nation’-esque qualities".^[181][182] Digital Spy also considered the title track of Minogue's "Rhythm of Love" album to draw influence from "Rhythm Nation".^[183]

British singer Jessie Ware channeled elements of Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" look and ensemble in her video for "Imagine It Was Us", with Ware also modeling the song after Jackson.^[184][185] English singer Jamie Lidell cited "Rhythm Nation" as the inspiration for his self-titled fifth album, revealing "I got into Rhythm Nation and Control and thought 'these are amazing songs, why don't they make them like this anymore? I want to make them like that!' So that's what kicked it off for me."^[186] Prince's video for "Breakfast Can Wait", released 2013, was also said to include "fantastic. Rhythm Nation-era group dancing" as well as influence from Jackson's "That's the Way Love Goes" video.^[187] In 2010, British pop singer Peter Andre's "Defender" video was inspired by the choreography and outfit from "Rhythm Nation", with Andre commenting "Style wise I can definitely admit to borrowing a bit of Rhythm Nation", attempting to create a "masculine routine based on military manoeuvres and defense moves." ^[188] Elements of "Rhythm Nation" were observed in the setting of Bjork's "Declare Independence" video, with Idolator describing it as set in a "stark “Rhythm Nation” atmosphere".^[189] The website also considered the atmosphere of T.I.'s "Hurt" video as comparable to "an unused Janet-circa-Rhythm Nation video and stock footage of Onyx from the vault".^[190] English rapper Lisa Maffia mentioned Jackson when asked who her style icon is, saying "Janet Jackson in her Rhythm Nation days... Army-style jackets and biker boots with heels."^[191]

Themes of unity and empowerment in pop songs have been likened to the song's theme, with the theme of Kelly Clarkson's "People Like Us" compared to "Rhythm Nation".^[192] Military themes in music videos have also often drawn comparison to "Rhythm Nation", with an example being Elena Gooray of 34th Street Magazine contrasting the portrayal of military abduction in Katy Perry's "Part of Me" video to Jackson's video, saying "Perry’s latest video is neither feminist nor patriotic". "Yes, it’s good to see women accessing their inner and outer strength, excelling in areas traditionally dominated by men, focusing on their own identities rather than defining themselves in relation to partners, and so forth. But in this case, all of it is to prove a point to her ex-boyfriend." "While music can obviously be a powerful political tool, recreating images of people using guns and risking their lives for the sake of pop music messages — such as “screw you, ex-boyfriend!” — just does not seem OK." Gooray then praised the theme of Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" as a positive portrayal of military imagery, saying "Janet’s messages? Justice, togetherness, the power of dance. Those ideas are simple and almost by definition inoffensive. Her use of military themes? Only to inspire her wardrobe and some incredibly synchronized dance routines with bangin’ choreography. She seems to understand that as a pop star, her expertise is in the world of the aesthetic. Any pop reference to the military should stay within that realm (or else go the extra mile to produce a truly thoughtful message). Just to score one more point for Janet — even if this can’t be said for all of her videos, “Rhythm Nation” makes a far superior statement on the fluidity of gender. In this video, men and women dress and dance identically and no one’s really sexualized. Everyone just knows how to move. In other words, sometimes the best way to send a positive message is not to try so damn hard. The clunky attempts in “Part of Me” to be “meaningful” not only fall flat, but edge into offensive."^[74] A militant dance sequence during Perry's performance of "Part of Me" on American Idol was also compared to Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" choreography and outfit.^[193]

South Korean girl group Girls' Generation, also known as SNSD, covered "Rhythm Nation" and performed the song's choreography during a performance on KBS Gayo Daechukje and during their first concert tour Girls' Generation Asia Tour Into the New World.^[194] K-pop group After School performed a cover of "Rhythm Nation" on the music show Kim Jung-eun's Chocolate.^[195] Japanese singer Crystal Kay covered "Rhythm Nation" for the Japanese version of the animated film Happy Feet Two, with the song originally covered for the film by Pink. Kay has also said Jackson is her musical idol.^[196] Popdust likened Korean group U-KISS's "Standing Still" video as "heavy on choreography with a lot of Jackson influences", also considering the setting a "very Janet-esque warehouse" and adding the group "stormed the set of “Rhythm Nation” in the clip.^[197] BoA's "Rock With You" was likened to "Janet Jackson during 'Rhythm Nation 1814' period" during an interview, to which she replied "Oh, it might be. I like Janet and I wanted to sing rock song some time." Many of BoA's performances have also drawn comparisons to Jackson's performing style.^[198] Japanese pop singer Thelma Aoyama was inspired by "Rhythm Nation" to pursue a career as a performer, with Aoyama's official biography reading "she took an interest in dancing while watching Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation music video", which she would watch "until the videotape wore out." Aaoyama would later set the world record for the biggest selling digital single in Japan with "Soba ni Iru ne".^[199][200] Korean pop producer Yoo Young-jin based his production style for artists such as Girls' Generation, BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, and SHINee on Jackson and "Rhythm Nation", explaining "Ever since I started writing songs, I wanted to create dramatic dance music if I could do such a thing. When I was one of the dancers for [Korean broadcaster] MBC, songs like Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" was very popular at the time. Listening to that kind of music and watching those performance, I wanted to show a variety of performance elements within in a song. Like setting a certain flow and breaking it, or putting stop-brakes during the music or slowing down the beat rather than just taking one flow from beginning to end of a song."^[201] Korean pop group TVXQ's, also known as Tohoshinki, performances of "Rising Sun" also drew influence from Jackson, with a review calling the choreography "awesome" and "very reminiscent of Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” (people in uniform marching and incorporating dance choreography)".^[202] A critique of Tenjochiki's (now known as The Grace) debut Japanese album Graceful 4 cited influence from "Rhythm Nation" in the song "One More Time, OK?", saying it "has that Janet Jackson “Rhythm Nation” style of feel".^[203] Chisato Moritaka was influenced by Jackson's "new quasi-military look" during her "Rhythm Nation" period, with a biography saying "influenced by this, Moritaka was often photographed around this time in a brocade-adorned military jacket, complemented with a pleated mini-skirt and high heels - a look which has become a standard cosplay template."^[204] An annual Japanese music festival known as "Rhythm Nation" was named after the song and has hosted various performers such as Korean pop singers BoA, Koda Kumi, TVXQ, and Exile.^[205] Hits compilations released by Japanese record label Rhythm Zone are also titled "Rhythm Nation".^[206]

Alexis Krauss of indie group Sleigh Bells was influenced by the song for their Bitter Rivals album, saying "I was obsessing with the singing and the melodies of records like Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson." Speaking to Glamour, Krauss said "Janet Jackson was a huge inspiration. I was completely obsessed with the vocal production on Rhythm Nation. There are so many great ideas crammed into one song."^[207][208] The song is also referenced in a line of their song "Tiger Kit", with Derek Miller saying "It’s got like that Rhythm Nation reference." "We’re both huge Janet Jackson fans."^[209] Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles included the video in a playlist of her favorite videos for MTV, commenting "I spent endless hours trying to become Janet Jackson", adding "I never really got it, but the video kicked ass."^[210] Folk singer Lissie also said "This ["Rhythm Nation"] was the first pop music I remember listening to as a kid. I would make up dance routines and sing along in my basement then invite my family down to watch my "shows"."^[211] Indie pop singer-songwriter St. Vincent suggested Jackson as her most-desired performer for a music festival, saying "I would get Janet Jackson to perform Rhythm Nation in full with the hats and everything. I'm just now really getting into Janet Jackson. I love the production and arrangements on that album."^[212] Damian Kulash of OK Go considered it one of the greatest dance videos of all time, saying the video was a "big influence", also incorporating part of the "Rhythm Nation" choreography in their video for "A Million Ways".^[213]

Scenes from David Guetta and Kelly Rowland's "Commander" video were said to be reminiscent to "Rhythm Nation", "but sexier, thanks to Fatima Robinson’s wicked choreography."^[214] A review of the Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D. World Tour analyzed the show to be "pop’s latest sci-fi spectacle, in a lineage that dates back at least as far as Janet Jackson’s 1990 Rhythm Nation Tour".^[215] Usher's "OMG" video and performance of the song at the 2011 Grammy Awards incorporated moves from Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" choreography, with MTV saying "Usher then tapped a Janet circa "Rhythm Nation" vibe during a popping-and-locking group dance to "OMG"", and MSN also commenting "[Usher] has been rockin' a symmetrical futuristic "Rhythm Nation"-type look on stage lately."^[216][217] The choreography in Usher's "Love in this Club" video was also likened to being inspired by "Rhythm Nation" by Idolator.^[218] Keri Hilson paid homage to the video's outfit and routine in her "Pretty Girl Rock" video, with Yahoo! Music exclaiming the recreation to be "Hilson's best remake".^[29][219] Influences from the video are also seen in Ciara's "Gimmie Dat" video, which portray "some zero-gravity choreography that’s pretty much a combination of Janet Jackson‘s “Rhythm Nation” and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in “Inception”, with another review adding "the military-style dancers running choreography in an empty warehouse feel directly inspired by Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” video". Sharon Clott of MTV News also stated the warehouse dance sequence in the video "reminds us of Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" routine".^{[220][221][222]} Ciara previously told MTV the "Rhythm Nation" video is the music video she wishes she had made.^[223] During a medley of "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step" at the Billboard Music Awards, a review from The Village Voice said "Ciara looks really stiff and uncomfortable doing Rhythm Nation choreography".^[224] Entertainment Weekly also noted Jackson as the inspiration for Ciara and Justin Timberlake's "Love Sex Magic" video, though clarified "it takes more than a Rhythm Nation ponytail and a duet with Justin Timberlake to make you Janet Jackson. You also have to be able to sing."^[225] Mary J. Blige wore an outfit similar to Jackson's for her performance of "25/8" on Dancing with the Stars, also wearing the outfit and referencing some of Jackson's choreography in the song's music video.^[226] D. Woods of Danity Kane wore the video's outfit during an appearance in 2013.^[227] Chris Brown's "Gimme That" video also incorporates choreography from the video, with Brown saying "There's sort of a 'Rhythm Nation'-type feel with all-black suits on."^[228] The setting and theme of a commercial advertisement for Brown's fifth studio album Fortune was also noted to draw inspiration from Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" clip and its long-form video.^[229] Brown later paid homage to Jackson again when tributing her "Alright" video in his video for "Yeah 3x".

Michael Jackson had named his MJJ Music label "Nation Records" to tribute Jackson and the song, though the name had already been copyrighted. A former confidant revealed "It was a poke at Janet", adding "Michael's always been helpful and supportive with Janet".^[230][231] Following the success of "Rhythm Nation" and Jackson's Control and Rhythm Nation 1814 albums, Michael worked with Janet's producers Jam & Lewis to adapt the new jack swing sound she developed. People Magazine considered Michael Jackson to draw influence from "Rhythm Nation" and the Rhythm Nation 1814 album for his eighth studio album Dangerous, saying Michael "tries to accommodate the new "rhythm nation" (in his sister Janet's phrase) on several tracks".^[232] Producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins also said Michael was motivated and inspired by the song for future projects. Additionally, Michael's duet with Janet, "Scream", was said to be influenced by "Rhythm Nation" by The New York Times, commenting "written with Janet Jackson and her producers, [the song] simply picks up the sound of Janet's "Rhythm Nation".^[233] The Sun Sentinel also noted other new songs produced by Jam & Lewis on Michael's HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I album to be inspired by the song, saying the material "seems more like something Janet would have included on her belligerent Rhythm Nation album".^[234] In an interview, Michael also recalled listening to Janet's music and "Rhythm Nation" with his children Prince Michael Jackson I and Paris Jackson, saying "As soon as Janet's songs with a good beat like 'The Knowledge' or 'Rhythm Nation' come on they both go crazy. You'd think a machine is moving them around. I start singing and there's screaming all over the house. I start dancing and Prince is all in the way trying to dance with me."^[235] A former MTV executive spoke about Jackson as "huge during the Rhythm Nation period" and "as big as Michael".^[236] The song was mentioned in Jackson's rival Madonna's tour documentary film when a dancer described an outfit she was wearing as "very Janet Jackson, Rhythm Nation", to which she angrily responded "Bite your tongue."^[237] A review of Madonna's "Secret Project" video likened the clip to drawing influence from "Rhythm Nation", saying the black-and-white clip gave the impression of expecting her to "put on a black cap and key earring and join Janet Jackson and the Rhythm Nation to fight financial injustice through dance".^[238] Salon also observed parts of Madonna's "American Life" video to be influenced by "Rhythm Nation", saying she "indulges in some “Rhythm Nation”-style dance moves in a hallway".^[239] The "politically correct dance music" of Deee-Lite's "Groove is in the Heart" was considered to be inspired by "Rhythm Nation", with AllMusic also describing Karyn White's "Ritual of Love" album as sounding like "Rhythm Nation leftovers".^[36][240] Mark Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block also likened the group's success to being inspired by Jackson, saying ""People don't give us credit. Janet Jackson sat down with her producers and came up with the concept of Rhythm Nation. That's the same thing we did with our album."^[241] Mexican singer Selena wore outfits inspired by the "Rhythm Nation" uniform and performed the song's choreography in several music videos and performances, including the music video for "Enamorada de Ti" and while performing "Enamorada de Ti", "No Quiero Sabar", and "Baila Esta Cumbia" on the show "Bailando", as well as performing the routine during "Enamorada de Ti" at the Tejano Music Awards.^{[242][243][244]} The post-apocalyptic setting of the Spice Girls' "Spice Up Your Life" video was also noted to draw influence from "Rhythm Nation" by Buzzfeed.^[132] Justin Timberlake's former group 'N Sync uses several moves from "Rhythm Nation" in their videos for "It's Gonna Be Me" and "Bye Bye Bye", with LA Weekly commenting "Even the most successful of the boy-band wave — ’N Sync, Backstreet Boys — owe much of their performing style to Janet".^[245]

The song has also been referenced in various indie and electronic songs, including Sleigh Bells' "Tiger Kit" and Chromeo's "Destination: Overdrive".^[209] Various hip-hop songs have mentioned the song, including Tupac's "Got My Mind Made Up", Mickey Avalon's "Jane Fonda", Das Racist's "Michael Jackson", Fred the Godson's "She Call Me God", Cunninlynguists's "Dance for Me", Aasim's "Gone Pt.1", Killarmy's "War Face", YC the Cynic's "Suicide", Big Daddy Kane's "Give a Demonstration", and Public Enemy's "Power to the People".

Performing arts, film, and choreographers

The iconic "Rhythm Nation" choreographed routine is considered of the most memorable and infamous dance routines in entertainment history by publications such as Rolling Stone and Slant Magazine. Many actors, choreographers, and entertainers specifically credit Janet and "Rhythm Nation" for inspiring them to pursue a career in performing arts fields or aiding their careers through learning the video's advanced choreography.

Choreographer Travis Payne began his professional career as a dancer on Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour after auditioning, which lead him to produce tours and videos for Michael Jackson, Madonna, Lady Gaga, the reality series Popstars, and various others.^[246] Choroeographer Wade Robson also commented on the song, saying "It has been one of my favorite songs. It spoke to me." Robson later choreographed a routine to the song in the film Happy Feet 2, as well as a tribute performance of the song on Jackson's MTV Icon special, commenting "There's no such thing as any dancer or artist who hasn't been influenced by Janet. It doesn't exist to me."^[247][248] Fly Lady Di, dance director at Canada's hip-hop festival "Manifesto", was inspired to become a dancer by watching the video, revealing “When I saw it for the first time, I knew I had to be a dancer.”^[249] The New York Times likened the stage presence of choreographer Laurieann Gibson to Jackson's in "Rhythm Nation" as the standard for performing, saying "With her wild black curls, piercing gaze and fierce attitude in the studio, Ms. Gibson has a screen presence reminiscent of Janet Jackson’s circa “Rhythm Nation”.^[250] Buzzfeed also noted The Running Man dance gained fame and popularity through Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" video.^[85] Simon Barnum, main choreographer for many European performers including Girls Aloud and the Sugababes, founded the "Rhythm Nation" dance school in Winchmore Hill, London, which was also named after the song.^[201]

Actress Elizabeth Mathis auditioned for a role in the science fiction film Tron: Legacy by learning the "Rhythm Nation" choreography and other routines from Jackson's videos, crediting Jackson for her success in obtaining the part. "The last, and only, time I considered myself a dancer was the night before the TRON audition", Mathis said. "My character moves in these robotic ways. It needed choreography, but I’ve never been a good dancer.. at all. [Laughs] So I got all my friends together, and we watched Janet Jackson’s old videos all night. I tried so hard to get her moves down. I even counted down with my fingers, 5… 4… 3… 2… 1, like in ‘Rhythm Nation.’ And, obviously, I got the part. So I owe it all to Janet.”^[251] Actress Kate Hudson commented on the song while speaking about a dance scene in the film Something Borrowed, saying "For me, it was Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation.” I specifically remember the routine that me and my friends would do to that."^[252] Actor Michael K. Williams, best known for his portrayal of Omar Wilkes on The Wire, was inspired to pursue a career in the entertainment industry as a backing dancer and actor after seeing Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" video, saying "here comes Janet Jackson across my television screen dressed in black talking about “Rhythm Nation.” And that struck such a chord in me, I thought, I got it. I know what I want to do in life. I quit my job, I quit school and I was on a quest to become a backup dancer for Janet Jackson." "I wore the tour jacket, the Doc Marten boots, all that. She inspired the shit out of me." "I taught myself to count steps and to catch choreography by watching Janet Jackson videos. And every time she moved to the left, I would move to the right. I was obsessed. If I heard any Janet Jackson music anywhere I would totally embarrass all my friends and start doing the routine in the street."^[253][254]

Several publications also suggested the song as a campaign song for President Obama, with one commenting "Obama's entire inaugural address could be set to the tune of Rhythm Nation".^[255] Idolator also suggested the song as a suitable campaign theme for Hilary Clinton's presidential campaign.^[256] The song and choreography are performed in the film Happy Feet Two, with a review from Time Magazine commenting "By the thousands, Emperor penguins cavort through a foot-stomping, fin-shaking rendition of Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation.”^[257] A review of the 2010 rendition of the broadway musical Chess from Entertainment Weekly also noted influence from Jackson, citing "Rhythm Nation-esque backup dancers". ^[258] AfterEllen observed a performance in the film Showgirls "features motorcycles and a sort of S/M-meets-Cabaret-meets-Rhythm Nation theme."^[259] Michele Wiles, a principal ballet dancer with American Ballet Theatre, cited "Rhythm Nation" as a massive inspiration to her career, revealing "When I was 9, I had one routine to 'Rhythm Nation' by Janet Jackson. I wore black spandex with appliqués all over it and jazz shoes with the crunched-down socks and a little jacket. So cheesy! But I think all of that was good for me because I don't have stage fright now. I love it. I'm dying to get onstage."^[260] The video's director Dominic Sena's later work was often compared to "Rhythm Nation", with Sena considered to "throw his whole Rhythm Nation bag of tricks" into the production of the film Swordfish.^[261] Robin Raskin of Philadelphia commented "I was a cheerleader in eighth grade and can still remember our halftime dance to Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation”.^[262]

Jackson's hand-written lyrics to the song are displayed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum’s Women Who Rock exhibit, with the chart-topping hit also used as an example of songwriting in the Museum's “Women Who Rock: Songwriting and Point of View” class based on female songwriters.^[7] The official Twitter account for Xbox Music tweeted the song was "game-changing", featuring it as their "dance rewind".^[263] A K-pop concert known as "Rhythm Nation", advertised as "the biggest indoor music festival", is held annually in Tokyo, Japan, with multiple festivals being released on DVD.^[264] An annual talent search competition in New Zealand titled "Rhythm Nation Summer Beats" was also named after the song and is sponsored by Coca-Cola.^[265] In 2011, the United States Air Force performing ensemble Tops In Blue performed a live event known as the "Rhythm Nation Tour", which "brings to life the music of America".^[266] In 2013, the Brooklyn Nets dancer's The Brooklynettes taught dance classes and practiced for performances during NBA games using a remix of Rihanna's "Hard" with Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" set to a military routine.^[267] The annual "Mandarins" music competition was also named after the song in 2006, with divisions in the production pursuing "extensive training in progressive dance, taking it into territory the corps hadn’t deeply explored in the past."^[268] A production show performed on Royal Caribbean cruise ships starring Susan Anton was also titled "Rhythm Nation".^[269] Performances of "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party" at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in 2012 were also noted to be influenced by Jackson, with Matthew J. Palm of The Orlando Sentinel saying dancers were " busting moves I swear come from Janet Jackson's old "Rhythm Nation" video."^[270] The tenth anniversary of Walt Disney's World on Ice featured a rendition of "Rhythm Nation" performed by Mickey and Minnie Mouse.^[271]

Television

"Rhythm Nation" has been referenced on various television shows and programs worldwide, including many talent shows.

The "Rhythm Nation" outfit has been portrayed on many television shows, including Glee!, the Disney Channel's A.N.T. Farm, Everybody Hates Chris, RuPaul's Drag Race, Living Single, Taina, and In Living Colour, and has also been mentioned on American Dad and the eighth season of Will and Grace.^{[272][273][274][274][275]} A mash-up of "Nasty" and "Rhythm Nation" was performed by Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist) and Bree (Erinn Westbrook) on the fifth episode of the seventh season of Glee!. Entertainment Weekly declared the tribute " blows a nice kiss to diva Janet Jackson", while another review added "the show nailed iconic choreography from a classic music video".^[276][277] The "Rhythm Nation" outfit is mentioned on an episode of American Dad titled "Moon Over Isla Island", with the song's dance routine briefly performed on the sixthteenth episode of the sixth season.^[278] A parody of the video on In Living Colour was titled "Rhythmless Nation".^[279]

Multiple shows have been titled after the song, with examples being the Australian music show "Turn It Up (Rhythm NATion)" and an episode on the seventh season of The Bachelorette in which contestants had to perform choreography titled "The Best Men vs. No Rhythm Nation".^[280] A contestant on the eighteenth cycle of America's Next Top Model wore an outfit inspired by "Rhythm Nation" during the season's first episode.^[281] Coco Montrese, a contestant on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, also portrayed Jackson on the show and wore the video's outfit.

Most notably, Jackson performed the song with "All for You" and a brief excerpt of "The Knowledge" at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show, which featured a surprise appearance by Justin Timberlake to perform "Rock Your Body" and ended in Jackson's breast being accidentally exposed by Timberlake. The event became the most-watched, replayed, and searched television event and image in history, served as the inspiration for Youtube, and resulted in Jackson being blacklisted by media conglomerates Viacom and CBS, and subsidiaries which included music channels such as MTV and many radio stations worldwide, after being fined by the FCC and taken to Supreme Court following the incident.

"Rhythm Nation" and its routine has also been a mainstay at various dance competition and talent shows worldwide when attempting to portray impressive choreography to a well-known song. On the first season of The X-Factor USA, The Stereo Hogzz performed a cover of "Rhythm Nation" to much acclaim, also replicating the video's outfits and choreography. PopCrush commented "The guys from Stereo Hogzz did a great job with putting their own spin on ‘Rhythm Nation’ while staying true to the original video’s choreography. Wearing matching military-inspired red outfits, Stereo Hogzz marched around stage a la Ms. Jackson in ‘Rhythm Nation’ and performed a complete choreographed dance breakdown, all while singing pitch-perfect. Their performance felt like a full-blown arena concert, with an army of backup dancers and energetic stage presence."^[282] English dance troupe Diversity performed a routine referencing Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" outfit and choreography on the third season finale of Britain's Got Talent, allowing them to win the competition over Susan Boyle.^[283] A choreographed marching entrance on the fifth season of Canadian reality show The Next Star was described as having "a “Rhythm Nation” vibe" by Hardly Magazine.^[284] Dance troupe Fatally Unique gave what was described as a "thrilling and precise “Rhythm Nation”-like performance" on the sixth season of America's Got Talent.^[285]

An Australian music show titled "Turn It Up (Rhythm NATion)" also aired, and was put back into production in 2009. A "very sharp military-inspired hip-hop dance set" set to The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" on the fifth season of So You Think You Can Dance was said to be "reminiscent of Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" video."^[286] A contestant also recreated the song's video and outfit on the British talent show Stars in Their Eyes.^[287] "Rhythm Nation" was also performed in unison by all dance troupes on the second season of MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew", and "clip reels of Janet's greatest dance moves were given to the crews for inspiration." The performance received positive reception, with a live review exclaiming "everyone in the crowd cheered possibly the loudest all season long. Miss Jackson herself did not make an appearance, but she probably heard the applause from wherever she was."^[288][289]

Fashion

Due to the Jackson's massive impact, entertainers and celebrities photographed or seen wearing military-inspired regalia or black leather attire are often compared to Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" outfit, with the outfit also serving as the inspiration for several fashion lines. Various other elements of Jackson's appearance in the video are also credited to her by major publications when observed on other performers, with long, sleek ponytails cited as the "Rhythm Nation ponytail" by Entertainment Weekly.^[225] In 2013, Lucky Magazine ranked "Rhythm Nation" among "The 18 Most Stylishly Influential Music Videos of All Time".^[98] The outfit is included in Madame Tussaud's exhibits in Hollywood and New York, as well as Tussaud's Rock Circus exhibit in London. The outfit was also abducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, most recently being displayed in 2011's "Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power" exhibit, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Julianne Escobedo Shepherd of MTV News commented on the videos's influence on dance and fashion, saying "For her second album Rhythm Nation 1814, she took her menswear even further. It was a concept album about a world in which social disparity is eradicated, so Janet went in for the military hardware and the world flipped. "Rhythm Nation," the song, was so influential that in my dance classes at the time, the teacher would dedicate hours to teaching us the dance from the video, and everyone wanted to dress like her—black leggings, military jackets, ballcaps. She had her own personal Rhythm Nation hardware and bondage straps; I can't figure out or remember if she predated the Boy London hardware caps, but both were around the same time, and she was influential enough that it's not unlikely her steez gave them the idea."^[91] Commenting on Jackson endorsing fashion brand Blackglama, with Jackson following a roster of stars which included Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, Diana Ross, and Lena Horne, an article in Ombre Magazine compared the influence of Jackson's iconic choreography and fashion, particularly in the "Rhythm Nation" video, to that of iconic European entertainer Josephine Baker, saying "Jackson, who Mattel immortalized into a Barbie doll two years ago, has likewise created statement outfits. The Rhythm Nation attire has dressed Mickey Mouse and Keri Hilson among others and her Rolling Stone cover in 1993 has been replicated countless times."^[290]

Fashion designer Jeremy Scott's Spring/Summer 2013 collection was described by MTV as "a more "Janet circa Rhythm Nation" sort of affair."^[291] Designer Italo Zucchelli's 2011 men's fashion line with Calvin Klein was influenced by Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" ensemble, with the The New York Times observing " In a nod to the late-1980s style of Rhythm Nation, models in caps and closely cropped hair marched in oversized, drop-shoulder bomber jackets and slim pants in heavy felted wool in charcoal and olive drab", which effectively "made for a mildly militaristic look that was quite arresting."^[292] The opening of Japanese fashion store Uniqlo in New York City was described by GQ Magazine as equipped with "300 mannequins that recalled Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" music video."^[293] Amsterdam-based designers Viktor & Rolf's fall 2010 fashion show, which included "black leotards and black leather baseball hats", was inspired by the outfit, with New York Magazine observing "The headwear coupled with the backdrop of illustrated machinery and the models' Blue Steel expressions gave the show a "Rhythm Nation" vibe, but with more fur, more leg, and, sadly, much less synchronized dancing."^[294] Salon.com considered outfits announced as "Contemporary riffs on military garb" at Milan Fashion Week in 2010 to be "part of the Rhythm Nation".^[295] During his tenure at Bottega Veneta in 2001, British fashion designer Giles Deacon was inspired by the video's wardrobe and "controversially revived that Janet era, earring and all. He designed record boxes in solid silver, patent guitar cases, and plenty of excessive Eighties shoulder lines", with Alexander Fury of The Independent calling it the "best collection I've seen."^[296]

MTV News considered the revival in popularity of the leather snapback hat during the late noughties to pay homage to fashion from the late eighties and early nineties, with the infamous leather hat worn by Jackson and her dancers in the "Rhythm Nation" video as a particular example for the accessories' sudden renewal among youth. Streetwear retailer Karmaloop offers a "Rhythm Nation" snapback due to Jackson's continued popularity.^{[94][95][297]} A statue of Mickey Mouse wearing the "Rhythm Nation" outfit was mantled at Walt Disney World theme park, though the statue was removed following Jackson's controversial Super Bowl performance, A spokesman for Disney said "Considering all the controversy it [the performance] drew, we talked it over for a couple of days and decided it would be best to replace hers with a new one". Entertainment Weekly objected the decision, arguing "they're still letting Donald Duck walk around without pants".^[298]

Rihanna's River Island clothing line was inspired by Jackson and considered to be a "'90s-grunge-meets-Rhythm-Nation collection".^[168] Prison guards in the 2013 film Escape Plan, starring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, were described as "dressed like they were extras in Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" video" by The Huffington Post.^[299] People Magazine compared a "military-esque Balmain jacket" worn by Beyoncé to the outfit. ^[300] Black leather jackets and uniforms worn by Madonna during appearances in October 2013 were also compared to Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" outfit.^[301][302] Rolling Stone considered Cody Belew's outfit worn during a performance of Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" on the third season of The Voice to be "a costume that split the difference between Tom of Finland and Janet Jackson circa Rhythm Nation."^[303] The publication also described contestant DOMO to be "dressed like a Rhythm Nation backup dancer" during a rendition of the Pussycat Doll's "Don't Cha" on the show's third season.^[304][304] will.i.am's appearance at Justin Beiber's Never Say Never film premiere was described by MTV as wearing a "Rhythm Nation-style leather jacket."^[305] Lovefoxxx of Brazilian band CSS "sported a Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation tour t-shirt" during a concert.^[306]

Entertainment Weekly described the outfit worn by Elizabeth Taylor during an appearance at Disneyland for her sixtieth birthday as "a sequined jacket that made her look like the Queen of the Rhythm Nation".^[307] VH1 considered a black leather outfit worn by actress Michelle Rodriguez in 2010 to be reminiscent of Jackson's ensemble.^[308] The music channel also described Victoria Beckham as "part of a Rhythm Nation" when photographed wearing a black leather jacket in 2008.^[309] An Emporio Armani blazer worn by Beckham was also compared to the outfit, with Interview Magazine noticing "Posh looked chic in this slight Rhythm Nation beaded epaulet blazer and crystal tights".^[310] Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas's black leather outfit worn at the seventh annual Peapod Benefit Concert in 2011 was analyzed as a "Rhythm-Nation-meets-matador ensemble".^[311] House music producer Laidback Luke described a black outfit and hat worn by DJ Gina Turner as "looking like Rhythm Nation".^[312] A jacket worn by Jennifer Hudson while performing the National Anthem was also compared to the outfit by Us Magazine.^[144] Additionally, an outfit worn by Missy Elliott during the Verizon Ladies First Tour was described as "glittering, post -- Rhythm Nation couture" by Entertainment Weekly.^[313] Black leather outfits worn by Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz during an appearance in 2010 were considered to be "reviving Janet’s Rhythm Nation".^[314] A black and gold outfit worn by singer Fantasia Barrino in 2013 was also compared to the outfit.^[315] Cecil Frena of electronic group Born Gold was described as wearing a "Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation era-esque military jacket" during a concert with indie pop act Grimes.^[316]

Country singer Rosanne Cash also tweeted "When my daughter was a pre-teen she said 'Mom, you wear a lot of black, just like Janet Jackson.'"^[317] Usher's outfit worn during his medley performance with Justin Bieber and Jaden Smith at the 2011 Grammy Awards was described as inspired by Star Trek and a "sprinkling of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation", with MSN also commenting the performer "has been rockin' a symmetrical futuristic "Rhythm Nation"-type look on stage lately."^[217][318] MTV News noted "Usher then tapped a Janet circa "Rhythm Nation" vibe" during the performance, and Logo's NewNowNext also observed the outfit as "Usher’s blue suede Rhythm Nation chauffeur suit".^[319][320] During a concert, The LA Times said Charlie Singleton of funk group Cameo's "black paramilitary garb made him look like a deserter from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation army."^[321] An outfit worn by disco group The Village People during a performance was also compared, with a review saying "the police officer in this incarnation looked more like Janet Jackson in her Rhythm Nation video."^[322] Japanese singer Chisato Moritaka was influenced by Jackson's "new quasi-military look" during her "Rhythm Nation" period, with a biography saying "influenced by this, Moritaka was often photographed around this time in a brocade-adorned military jacket, complemented with a pleated mini-skirt and high heels - a look which has become a standard cosplay template."^[204]

Actor James Marsters was described as wearing a costume which was "half Janet Jackson circa "Rhythm Nation" on the fourth season of Doctor Who.^[323] GQ Magazine labeled an outfit worn by Vince Wilfork of The New England Patriots as an "epaulet-enhanced Rhythm Nation-looking outfit".^[324] The Daily Mail compared an outfit worn by former Jersey Shore television personality Jennifer "JWoww" Farley to the outfit while filming Snooki & JWoww, saying Farley "arrived looking like a backing dancer for Janet Jackson during the Rhythm Nation days", also "taking style notes from Janet Jackson circa her Rhythm Nation era."^[325] On the finale of the first season of Tamar & Vince, Tamar Braxton mentions she was wearing boots comparable to Jackson's in the video. During a performance of "A House is Not a Home" on the fourth season of American Idol, Entertainment Weekly considered Anwar Robinson to be "clad in a full-length Rhythm Nation: 1814 overcoat".^[326] Salon.com also commented on an outfit worn by American Idol contestant Todrick Hall by saying "Janet, I think we found your Rhythm Nation costume."^[327]

Headset microphone

With performances promoting her breakthrough album Control as well as Rhythm Nation 1814, Jackson was notably the first artist to use and bring the headset microphone to prominence, with it now used by numerous performers and often being labeled the "Janet Jackson headset mic". As an example of Jackson's continued influence, fashion website Jezebel.com described the host of an event in 2012 by saying they "wore one of those Rhythm Nation headset mics".^[328] Additionally, MSNBC anchor Alex Wagner also described her microphone as "Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation-style headphones" during a live broadcast from the 2012 Democratic National Convention.^[329]

Furthermore, a description for the Xbox game Karaoke Revolution said "Karaoke Revolution comes with a USB Hands-free headpiece mic a la Janet Jackson in "Rhythm Nation.""^[330] In a review of a commercial advertisement for the ShamWow, news website Salon observed the first thing noticeable in the ad was "the Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation headset."^[331]

Miscellaneous

The Nintendo DS dance game "Rhythm Heaven" was originally announced as "Rhythm Nation", initially titled after the song and Jackson's iconic choreography.^[332] The song inspired the name of English DJ Trevor Nelson's BBC Radio 1 show "Rhythm Nation", with Nelson also telling Jackson this during an interview which aired on the same show. The show also spawned several compilation albums under the same name. DJ Amadeus also became well known for his "Rhythm Nation" radio shows, which was named after the song and broadcasts progressive trance in Lebanon and Cyprus.^[333] The countdown in the song is heard in various NBA Live games produced by EA Sports, played before each 3-point shootout. In 2006, beverage company Heineken, one of the world's four largest brewing companies, released limited edition "Rhythm Nation" designer classes to commemorate the song's legacy. A press release announced "The song preached racial unity and harmony among nations, in promise of “looking for a better way of life” and a way to stop “social unrest and injustice”, bonded by the love of music. To inculcate the spirit found in the song almost two decades later, Heineken is introducing its Rhythm Nation designer glass series, a stylish graphic reimagining of five contemporary music genres from around the world – pop punk, crunk, reggaeton, trance and chillout."^[334][335] Music stores have also been named after the song internationally, including "Rhythm Nation Records" in England.^[336]

Philanthropy

Jackson established the "Rhythm Nation Scholarship" with the UNCF, and has assisted countless students striving to meet their educational goals. In addition to the scholarship, Jackson has also supported many other charitable and social causes globally, with an analysis of Jackson's work saying "Through words and deeds, Janet has set an example of generosity, of empowerment, of tolerance, while leading an array of efforts addressing some of society’s greatest challenges. She has raised money for such charities such as the Cities in Schools and America's Promise. She has supported the Watts Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club of America, the Starlight Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, A Place Called Home (providing after school programs in South Central, Los Angeles), the American Foundation for AIDS Research, S.O.S. Children's Villages in South Africa, Cartier's Love Bracelet Program benefiting OCNA and sponsored an Airlift of Food and Medical supplies to famine-stricken Rwanda." "Most recently, she chaired the American Foundation for AIDS Research’s gala charity event in Milan that raised more than a million dollars. She also traveled to Abu Dhabi recently to support fresh2o, a charity whose goal is providing worldwide access to clean water for drinking and sanitation purposes. Janet has been the recipient of many humanitarian awards because of her involvement in charitable and social causes, including the 2008 Humanitarian of the Year award from the Lisa Lopes Foundation, the 2008 Vanguard Award from GLAAD, and the 2004 Touching a Life Humanitarian and Philanthropic Award from the NBA. Janet’s admirable efforts have been recognized by AIDS Project LA, the Congress for Racial Equality, and by the NAACP with its Chairman’s Award."^[337]

Jackson was also the recipient of a special tribute at the NAACP Awards and was given the chairman's award for her work with illiteracy, drug abuse, violence and high school dropout prevention. Responding to a critic who said Jackson's socially conscious "Rhythm Nation" video could accomplish "nothing," Jackson broke into tears as she pointed to two recent high school graduates who shared the stage with her and creditited the song and video as the motivation for keeping them in school.^[338] Various portions of the "Rhythm Nation" outfit were donated to charitable causes, including the jeans worn by Jackson in the video being given to the Music Against AIDS auction.^[339]

A tribute band known as "Rhythm Nation" also performs at many charity events, including benefit fundraisers for children with cancer at the Ronald McDonald House in New York.^{[340][341][342]} In 2001, the Ventura County Ballet Company was awarded a grant to provide therapeutic ballet and hip-hop dance classes to foster children, with Jackson's former choreographer Anthony Foster teaching Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" choreography and other routines.^[343]

Covers and samples

Jacob Artist, Melissa Benoist and Erinn Westbrook covered "Rhythm Nation" in a mash-up with "Nasty" for the fifth season of Glee! ^[344] Pink covered "Rhythm Nation" in a medley with Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure" for the film Happy Feet Two. Japanese singer Crystal Kay performed a Japanese rendition of the song for the Japanese version of the film.^[196] Girls' Generation covered the song during a performance on KBS Gayo Daechukje and on their first concert tour Girls' Generation Asia Tour Into the New World.^[194] K-pop group After School performed a cover of the song on the music show Kim Jung-eun's Chocolate.^[195] Pink, Usher, and Mýa performed a dance tribute of "Rhythm Nation" on Jackson's MTV Icon special. The Stereo Hogzz performed a live rendition of the song and also replicated the song's choreography during the first season of the The X Factor.^[282] Filipino singer Jaya included a live cover of the song on her live album Jaya Live at the Araneta.^[345] The song's countdown is also used in various releases of the game NBA Live.

Awards and accolades

Award	Nominated work	Result
Billboard Music Awards	Director's Award	Won
Billboard Music Awards	Top Dance/Club Play Single of the Year	Won
Billboard Music Awards	Best Female Video Artist	Won
Billboard Music Awards	Best Female Artist, Dance	Won
Billboard Music Awards	Tanqueray Sterling Music Video Award for Artistic Achievement	Won
Billboard	10 Best 80's Music Videos	Won
BMI Pop Awards	Most Played Song	Won
BMI Pop Awards	Songwriter of the Year	Won
Cosmopolitan	10 Most Iconic Music Video Looks of the 80s (2013)	Won
Grammy Awards	Best Music Video, Long Form (Rhythm Nation 1814 Film)	Won
Grammy Awards	Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (Janet Jackson)	Won
Legends in Concert	Janet Jackson & "Rhythm Nation"	Won
MTV	Bust Up: Best Dance Video Ever	Won
MTV Video Music Awards	Best Choreography in a Video	Won
MTV Video Music Awards	Best Dance Video	Won
MTV Video Music Awards	Video Vanguard Award	Won
National Museum of Women in the Arts	"Rhythm Nation" outfit	Won
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame	"Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power" Exhibit ("Rhythm Nation" outfit and lyrics, 2011)	Won
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame	"Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power" songwriting exhibit ("Rhythm Nation")	Won
Rolling Stone	Ten Best Apocalyptic Dance Music Videos (2011)	Won
Rolling Stone	10 Favorite Dancing Musicians (2011)	Won
Slant Magazine	Greatest Dance Songs of All Time (#21)	Won
Slant Magazine	Greatest Music Videos of All Time	Won
Soul Train Awards	Music Video of the Year	Won
VH1	100 Greatest Videos (#37)	Won

In other accolades, Fuse included the video on the channel's "50 Girls Who Run the World" countdown in 2013. ^[346] "Rhythm Nation" won a poll on Idolator which questioned which song would be the most likely to be listened to if an apocalypse was announced.^[347] A poll on Billboard ranked it among the ten best '80s music videos, saying "Janet Jackson's 1989 clip had a lot going for it: Years before Coldplay raided the Sgt. Pepper's jacket department, Ms. Jackson and her crew put on their military jackets and did the finely choreographed routine that fans everywhere wore out countless VHS tapes rewinding to memorize."^[77] In 2012, MetroLyrics ranked "Rhythm Nation" as number one on a list of "Anthems for Your Super Bowl Party", citing Jackson's controversial performance of the song at the Super Bowl XXXVIII as "one of pop culture's most shocking moments."^[348] In 2001, the video won the category of "Bust Up: Best Dance Video Ever" during "MTV's 20th: Live and Almost Legal" special, winning over competition such as Michael Jackson's "Beat It".^[102]

Official versions and remixes

Album Version – 5:31 LP Version – 4:42 Design of a Decade US Edit – 5:58 7" Edit – 4:27 Instrumental – 4:44 7" CHR Remix – 4:06 Rhythm Mix – 4:48

7" United Mix Edit – 4:34 12" United Mix – 6:35 12" United Dub – 6:11 7" House Nation Edit – 4:23 12" House Nation Mix – 8:07 House Nation Groove – 6:45

Track listings

International 7" single/3" CD single/Cassette single "Rhythm Nation" (edit) "Rhythm Nation" (instrumental) International 12" single "Rhythm Nation" (United Mix) "Rhythm Nation" (United Dub) "Rhythm Nation" (edit) "Rhythm Nation" (12" House Nation Mix) "Rhythm Nation" (House Nation Groove Mix) "Rhythm Nation" (instrumental) UK CD single "Rhythm Nation" (edit) "Rhythm Nation" (House Nation Mix) "Rhythm Nation" (United Mix) International CD single "Rhythm Nation" (edit) "Rhythm Nation" (United Mix Edit) "Rhythm Nation" (United Mix) "Rhythm Nation" (instrumental)

Japan CD maxi single "Rhythm Nation" (7" edit) – 4:30 "Rhythm Nation" (12" United Mix) – 6:37 "Rhythm Nation" (12" House Nation Mix) – 8:07 "Rhythm Nation" (House Nation Groove) – 6:45 "Rhythm Nation" (United Dub) – 6:11 "Rhythm Nation" (7" CHR Remix) – 4:08 "Rhythm Nation" (7" United Mix Edit) – 4:23 "Rhythm Nation" (7" House Nation Edit) – 4:37 "Rhythm Nation" (LP version) – 4:42 "Rhythm Nation" (instrumental 7") – 4:45 "Rhythm Nation" (Rhythm Mix) – 4:48 US promo maxi "Rhythm Nation" (edit) "Rhythm Nation" (LP version) "Rhythm Nation" (instrumental) UK 12" "Rhythm Nation" (12" House Nation Mix) "Rhythm Nation" (United Mix) "Rhythm Nation" (United Dub) UK cassette single "Rhythm Nation" (edit) "Rhythm Nation" (CHR Remix)

Charts

Peak positions Chart (1989/1990) Peak position Australian Singles Chart[349] 56 Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)[350] 24 Canadian Singles Chart[351] 6 Dutch Top 40[352] 11 German Singles Chart[353] 83 Italian Singles Chart[354] 14 Irish Singles Chart[355] 19 New Zealand Singles Chart[356] 17 Swiss Singles Chart[356] 22 UK Singles Chart[357] 23 Billboard Hot 100[358] 2 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[358] 1 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[358] 1

End of year charts End of year chart (1990) Position Billboard Hot 100[359] 38

See also

• List of number-one dance singles of 1989 (U.S.)
• List of number-one dance singles of 1990 (U.S.)
• R&B number-one hits of 1990 (USA)

References

External links

• Official music video on "Vevo" on YouTube
• Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

v t e Janet Jackson Discography Videography Awards and nominations Studio albums Janet Jackson Dream Street Control Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 Janet The Velvet Rope All for You Damita Jo 20 Y.O. Discipline Compilation albums Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 Number Ones Icon: Number Ones Remix albums Control: The Remixes Janet Remixed Video releases Janet Design of a Decade 1986/1996 The Velvet Rope Tour – Live in Concert All for You (DVD Edition) Live in Hawaii From Janet to Damita Jo: The Videos Tours Rhythm Nation 1814 Janet World Tour The Velvet Rope Tour All for You Tour Rock Witchu Tour Number Ones, Up Close and Personal Television The Jacksons Good Times A New Kind of Family Diff'rent Strokes Fame Filmography Poetic Justice Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Why Did I Get Married? Why Did I Get Married Too? For Colored Girls Books True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself Labels A&M Virgin Island Related articles Janet Jackson as a gay icon Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis René Elizondo, Jr. Book Category Portal Template WikiProject

v t e Janet Jackson singles Discography Videography Awards and nominations Janet Jackson "Young Love" "Come Give Your Love to Me" "Say You Do" "Love and My Best Friend" "Don't Mess Up This Good Thing" Dream Street "Don't Stand Another Chance" "Two to the Power of Love" "Fast Girls" "Dream Street" Control "What Have You Done for Me Lately" "Nasty" "When I Think of You" "Control" "Let's Wait Awhile" "The Pleasure Principle" "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)" Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 "Miss You Much" "Rhythm Nation" "Escapade" "Alright" "Come Back to Me" "Black Cat" "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" "State of the World" janet. "That's the Way Love Goes" "If" "Again" "Because of Love" "Any Time, Any Place" "Throb" "You Want This" "Whoops Now" "What'll I Do" Design of a Decade 1986/1996 "Runaway" "Twenty Foreplay" The Velvet Rope "Got 'til It's Gone" "Together Again" "I Get Lonely" "Go Deep" "You" "Every Time" All for You "Doesn't Really Matter" "All for You" "Someone to Call My Lover" "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" "Come On Get Up" Damita Jo "Just a Little While" "I Want You" "All Nite (Don't Stop)" "R&B Junkie" 20 Y.O. "Call on Me" "So Excited" "Enjoy" "With U" Discipline "Feedback" "Rock with U" "Luv" "Can't B Good" Number Ones "Make Me" Icon: Number Ones "Nothing" Other singles "Start Anew" "Ask for More" "Megamix 04" Featured singles "Diamonds" "Making Love in the Rain" "2300 Jackson Street" The Best Things in Life Are Free" "Scream" "Luv Me, Luv Me" "What's It Gonna Be?!" "Girlfriend/Boyfriend" "Feel It Boy" "Don't Worry" "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" Book Category Portal Template WikiProject