But it was Rhythm Nation 1814, the source of both those opening tracks, that ended up providing the most timely material - its themes of equality and revolution are just as relevant now as they were in 1989, and Jackson didn't have to change a single note to make it that way. Though this undertaking is technically a redo of a tour promoting Unbreakable, the bulk of Jackson's 2017 set list was pulled from her most acclaimed albums, including Control (1986) and janet. Lithe and lively from the start, she jumped right into "The Knowledge," probably the most danceable song about childhood literacy ever written ("We've got to teach our kids to read & write / that's the only way to win this fight for life"), following it with "State of the World," the civic-minded banger that gives this venture its name. The one at stage left lifted, revealing a cane-wielding Jackson decked out in a bold, Cersei Lannister-esque leather-trimmed dress. How you really know you're with some grown folks: West Philly native DJ Aktive, who warmed up the arena before Jackson took the stage a few minutes before 9 p.m., stirred bigger roars with Chubb Rock's 1991 hit "Treat 'Em Right" than Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow."Ī trio of banners cascading from the ceiling served as the backdrop for an opening montage addressing humanity's biggest struggles by name, from famine and domestic terrorism to global warming and white supremacy. Each section contained a smattering of women rocking convincing DIY versions of Jackson's Rhythm Nation paramilitary look. The audience was composed mostly of thirtysomething-and-up fans who knew the words (and in some cases, the moves) by heart. Though slick-packaged political statements are de rigueur for today's most woke musicians, Jackson's compact, confident production was a much-needed reminder that she set the standard for the socially engaged pop star nearly 30 years ago. Jackson's current tour, renamed "State of the World," does not shy away from the difficult issues of today. The development left local "Control" freaks who'd already secured their tickets holding the R&B equivalent of a savings bond, which they were finally able to cash, with interest, Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center. The show was pushed to August of that year so the singer could undergo throat surgery then was postponed indefinitely after Jackson announced plans to have a child with her now-estranged husband, Wissam Al Mana. The reclusive legend, 51, was originally scheduled to play here in February 2016 in support of Unbreakable, her most recent full-length album. Good thing the only thing that changed while we were waiting was the world. The thing about this album is there’s a lot of different places that it touches, but at the end of the day, it’s pure Janet.Janet Jackson was a good 21 months late for her date with Philadelphia. At the end of the day, I go back to that. “I think it’s totally different from any of her other albums,” Jam told Entertainment Weekly. However, her collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are very excited for audiences to hear her new tracks. Positive vibes to my sis the opening of her tour 2night! U r UNBREAKABLE_ Do ya thang_ /KjlSOoGQr4- Missy Elliott August 31, 2015Ī new album is expected to be dropped while Jackson is on tour, but a release date hasn’t been announced.
Though Elliot was not at the performance, she sent her best to Jackson. Cole does the same on “No Sleeep.” Kendrick Lamar’s “Poetic Justice” is also played during “Any Time, Any Place,” which was sampled in Lamar’s track, according to the New York Times. Missy Elliot raps on video in “Unbreakable,” and J. While Michael was the only deceased performer in Janet’s set list, she sang with other a few other absentee performers as well. Jackson performed her hit “Scream,” a duet with her late brother, Michael Jackson. The “Unbreakable” World Tour’s set list also included a few duets.