Well, Essence Fest 2022 certainly began with a bang. Nicki Minaj showed why she's still a rap tour de force, keeping everyone up past their bedtime, trying to keep up with her supercharged lyrics. Looking to outdo the curfew from Friday night, the Coca-Cola-presented night of Black joy found 80,000-plus attendees packing out the Caesar Superdome in New Orleans for ever more Black girl magic.

DJ D-Nice impressively brought his Club Quarantine to the stage, where audiophiles were treated to a healthy dose of hype as he brought Dru Hill, Stephanie Mills and El DeBarge for some nostalgic jubilation. Summer Walker followed afterward, gracing the stage with a fully stocked band and plenty of plant life to nurture the stage with peaceful energy — all for an audience eager to behold her talents.

Read More: Why Hip-Hop Heavyweight D-Nice Is Headlining DC Jazz Fest 2021: "To Me, Jazz Is Infused In All Music"

Upon stepping out, the 26-year-old, self-proclaimed "Awkward Kween" glowed beautifully, showing off her pregnant belly in an outfit that would make Rihanna beam. ("She is our Mary J. Blige," 22-year-old Tierra Damon, who traveled from Las Vegas just to make the event, told GRAMMY.com. "I didn't want to miss her for anything.")

When the Atlanta superstar hit "Girls Need Love" and "No Love" — the latter of which had been remixed into a who's who of mega-mavens like Cardi B and SZA — the phones went up, and you could feel the air shift from the crowd swaying from right to left. All in all, her performance proved that Summer is making this season one to be outside for.

All hail Jazmine Sullivan: she arrived to share some classic songs from her discography, including her GRAMMY-winning album Heaux Tales. After Sullivan stepped out to raucous applause, "Bodies (Intro)" kicked things off nicely before segueing into "Holding You Down (Going In Circles)." She even interpolated the Fugees' version of "Killing Me Softly," making the song catch fire for the true hip-hop heads in the crowd.

Subsequently, Sullivan ushered in some much-needed freaky vibes by covering D'Angelo's "Send It On," transitioning right into "On It" — which made standing six feet apart a nearly impossible proposition. Closing with her smash hit, "Pick Up Your Feelings," Sullivan gave the Superdome a primetime performance — and received a standing O in return.

Day 2 brought the legends-and-icons portion of the show. Patti LaBelle, a phenom who needs no introduction, opened her set with a montage of highlights and special moments with famous friends. She leaned into "Love, Need and Want You" and "The Right Kinda Lover," hitting octaves that still sent groovy chills up and down one's body.

She slowed things down at the perfect moment, going into her metaphorical and literal bag with "If Only You Knew" — she produced a perfumer from her purse and used its fragrance as a sage. Indeed, they don't make singers like LaBelle anymore, and her standout performer — which included a C-walk over Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode" — should remind all the young artists in the game that this is how you command a stage.

One of a few intermissions allowed N'Awlins and the crowd to shower the city's hometown hero, Mannie Fresh, with flowers. The Cash Money producer gave us his staples "I Need a Hot Girl" and "Back Dat Azz Up," which wrested people from their seats and showed why he's a bounce-music forefather.

Then, the lights went completely black — and the crowd knew what time it was.

All stood at attention for the incomparable Janet Damita Jo Jackson. And as she took to the stage, one could feel the atmosphere change — as all eyewitnesses knew that she wasn't coming for play-play.

Running the throng of attendees through her most influential moments in style, Janet came out in a bedazzled, disco-tinged one-piece that had everyone awestruck. Then, she ripped into "Feedback," beginning a show that would not only obliterate Queen Nicki Minaj's show length, but the entire audience's bedtime curfews.

Watch Now: Black Sounds Beautiful: How Janet Jackson Went From Record-Breaker To Blacklisted To Forever Immortalized

Ms. Jackson had no intention of letting us go quietly into the night, pulling out megahits and rare grooves that marked her four-decade-plus career. With crisp dance moves, live vocals, and the energy level of a person more than half her age, Jackson went through "If," "What Have You Done For Me Lately?," "Control," and "Nasty" with ease.

The latter included a Big Freedia sample to show some Big Easy love to the home crowd. When she went into "Please Principle," "When I Think of You," "Gone Till It's Gone," and "That's The Way Love Goes," Jackson's music director threw in a Mary J. Blige sample that added even more funkiness to the original.

Speaking of that, Jackson played "The Best Things In Life Are Free," a standout cut from the Damon Wayans-led Mo' Money soundtrack — which this writer had never seen her perform live.

As Jackson's set passed the hour-and-a-half mark, she brought the slow-wine vibes with "Funny How Time Flies," "Let's Wait Awhile," and "I Get So Lonely." She then seemingly brought the show to a close with "State of the World," "The Knowledge," "Miss You Much," and "Alright" — which featured the late, great Heavy D.

Afterward, Jackson said her goodbyes, making everyone think the night was over — but it wasn't! Coming in at two hours and 17 minutes, Ms. Jackson wanted to make sure we left with a powerful message, closing out (for this real in time) with "Rhythm Nation."

As with everyone else at Essence Fest 2022, Damita Jo left the crowd in awe. Keep checking GRAMMY.com for more up-to-date coverage of this long-awaited weekend of Black joy!

Sharing mental health issues with close family or specialized medical professionals can be challenging enough. Add in the pressures of fame and being in the public eye, and any struggles are exponentially more difficult to cope with.

In recent years, though, mental health has become a much more widely discussed topic in celebrity culture. Several artists have used their music and their platform to open up about their own struggles with depression, anxiety and the like, from Bruce Springsteen to Selena Gomez.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, GRAMMY.com highlights the inspirational impact of music superstars who speak out about what they're going through, and how they manage their challenges. These 10 performers are making change through their courage and candor.

Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran takes fans behind the curtain of his personal life and struggles with mental health in Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All. The four-episode docuseries, which is now streaming on Disney+, details the pain of losing his best friend Jamal Edwards and his wife Cherry Seaborn receiving a cancer diagnosis while she was pregnant with their daughter Jupiter.

"What I think is really great about the documentary is the themes that it explores, everyone goes through," Sheeran said at the New York City premiere on May 2, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "Everyone goes through grief. Everyone goes through ups and downs of their mental health."

Sheeran dives deeper into his struggles — and is more vulnerable than ever before — on his latest album Subtract, which arrived on May 5. "Running from the light/ Engulfed in darkness/ Sharing my eyes/ Wondering why I'm stuck on the borderline," he sings on album cut "Borderline," which touches on battling suicide thoughts.

Lewis Capaldi

Like Sheeran, Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi also gave fans an incredibly upfront look at his mental health challenges in a documentary, How I'm Feeling Now. The new Netflix release details his experience with anxiety and Tourette's syndrome, taking viewers to physical therapy with Capaldi and discussing how his medication both helps and hurts the quality of his life.

Capaldi's second album, Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent (due May 19) will further explore his anxieties and vulnerability. While he has admitted it wasn't easy to be so raw in his music and on screen, Capaldi wants to make a difference in other people's lives. "If people notice things that are concurrent with what's going on in their life, then it's all been worth it," he told Variety.

Billie Eilish

While Billie Eilish's music has been raw and real from the start, her music has become increasingly more vulnerable throughout the years. Whether in her music or in interviews, the star has opened up about dealing with body dysmorphia, depression and thoughts of self-harm — hoping to inspire fans to speak up when they are hurting, and to know that it gets better.

"It doesn't make you weak to ask for help," she asserts in a 2019 video for Ad Council's Seize The Awkward campaign, which features stars discussing mental health.

"Kids use my songs as a hug," she told Rolling Stone earlier that year. "Songs about being depressed or suicidal or completely just against-yourself — some adults think that's bad, but I feel that seeing that someone else feels just as horrible as you do is a comfort. It's a good feeling."

Selena Gomez

As one of the most-followed stars on social media, Selena Gomez has often used her formidable presence to discuss her mental health and connect with others. In 2022, the singer launched a startup called Wondermind, which is focused on "mental fitness" and helping users maintain strong mental health.

Just a few months later, Gomez further chronicled her own mental health journey in an Apple TV+ documentary, Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me, which shows extremes she's suffered with her depression and bipolar disorder. She has said she was initially hesitant to share the film, but ultimately reflected on how many others could be helped if she did.

"Because I have the platform I have, it's kind of like I'm sacrificing myself a little bit for a greater purpose," she explained in a 2022 cover story with Rolling Stone. "I don't want that to sound dramatic, but I almost wasn't going to put this out. God's honest truth, a few weeks ago, I wasn't sure I could do it."

Shawn Mendes

In 2019, Shawn Mendes first publicly addressed his struggles with anxiety in the dynamic — and GRAMMY-nominated — hit "In My Blood." Three years later, the singer postponed his 2022 tour in order to focus on his mental health, opening up an important conversation to his legion of fans.

"The process was very difficult," he said in a February interview with Wall Street Journal. "A lot of doing therapy, a lot of trying to understand how I was feeling and what was making me feel that way. And then doing the work to help myself and heal. And also leaning on people in my life to help a little bit. 

"It's been a lot of work, but I think the last year and a half has been the most eye-opening and growing and beautiful and just healing process of my life," he continued. "And it just really made me see how culture is really starting to get to a place where mental health is really becoming a priority."

Bruce Springsteen

Even an artist as successful and celebrated as Bruce Springsteen has faced depression. In his 2016 autobiography Born to Run, the 20-time GRAMMY winner cites a difficult relationship with his father and a history of mental illness in the family, sharing that he has sought treatment throughout his life.

"I was crushed between 60 and 62, good for a year, and out again from 63 to 64," he wrote in the book. In that time, he released his 2012 album, Wrecking Ball, which featured a raw track called "This Depression." "Baby, I've been down, but never this down I've been lost, but never this lost," he sings on the opening verse.

As his wife, Patti Scialfa, told Vanity Fair in 2016, "He approached the book the way he would approach writing a song…A lot of his work comes from him trying to overcome that part of himself."

Janet Jackson

The physical and emotional abuse suffered by the famous Jackson family is well-documented in books, documentaries and TV dramatizations. But it's only been in recent years that Janet Jackson has talked about her own depression, which she has referred to as "intense." Her son Aissa has helped her heal from mental health challenges that have followed her all of her life.

"In my 40s, like millions of women in the world, I still heard voices inside my head berating me, voices questioning my value," she wrote in a 2020 ESSENCE cover story. "Happiness was elusive. A reunion with old friends might make me happy. A call from a colleague might make me happy. But because sometimes I saw my failed relationships as my fault, I easily fell into despair."

Elle King

After seeing global success with her debut single, "Ex's & Oh's," Elle King experienced the woes of sudden fame as well as a crumbling marriage. Her second album, 2018's Shake the Spirit, documented her struggles with self-doubt, medicinal drinking and PTSD.

"There's two ways out," she told PEOPLE in 2018, describing her marriage as "destructive," physically abusive and leading her to addiction. "You can take the bad way out or you can get help. I got help because I knew that I have felt good in my life and I knew I could get there again."

Brendon Urie

Certain public situations can trigger crippling anxiety attacks for Brendon Urie, who has been open about mental health concerns throughout his career. He can perform in front of thousands of fans, but he's revealed that being in the grocery store or stuck in an elevator for too long with other people are among some of his most uncomfortable scenarios in his life.

"You would never tell on the surface, but inside it's so painful I can't even describe," the former Panic! At The Disco frontman — who disbanded the group earlier this year to focus on his family — said in a 2016 interview with Kerrang.

Big Sean

Rapper Big Sean and his mother released a series of educational videos during Mental Health Awareness Month in 2021 — two years after the Detroit-born star started talking about his own long-held depression and anxiety publicly.

"I was just keeping it real because I was tired of not keeping it real," he said in an interview with ESSENCE in 2021. "I was tired of pretending I was a machine and everything was cool and being politically correct or whatever. I just was like, I'm a just say how I feel."

Like many of his peers, he hopes that his honesty will help others. "Whatever they can apply to their life and better themselves and maybe it just even starts a whole journey in a different direction as far as upgrading and taking care of themselves and bossing up themselves," he added. "Whatever they're trying to do, I hope it helps them get to that place."

How Durand Jones' Debut Album 'Wait Til I Get Over' Helped Him Explore His Roots & Find Self-Acceptance

As Jagged Edge and Nelly asked in 2001, where the party at? On May 6, it's at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds thanks to Lovers & Friends.

The star-studded festival largely celebrates the R&B and hip-hop stars of the '90s and 2000s, with a lineup that boasts Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Usher, Christina Aguilera, Nelly, and 50 Cent, among countless other hitmakers. With a jam-packed roster, it's hard to believe the fest is only one day. But one thing is guaranteed: it's going to be a day full of bangers.

There's also a good chance that there will be some viral moments from the second annual Lovers & Friends fest. Several of the stars on the bill have delivered some smash hits together, and they may just take the stage together to perform them — whether it's Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes for "Look At Me Now," Frankie J and Baby Bash for "Suga Suga," or, yes, even Jagged Edge and Nelly for "Where The Party At."

Even if you didn't get a ticket to this year's sold-out fest, that certainly doesn't mean you can't get in on the nostalgia. GRAMMY.com has curated a 50-song playlist to highlight all 50 performers on the Lovers & Friends 2023 lineup (which also includes current stars like Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller and Partynextdoor), and it will undoubtedly get you pumped up.

Below, jam out to GRAMMY.com's Lovers & Friends 2023 playlist, or listen to it on Apple Music, Amazon Music or Pandora.

Spring is in full bloom, and with it comes a slew of inspiring records and unmissable tours. May brings upon us the return of giants and some promising newcomers, and whether you like the country music of Parker McCollum or the Mexican pop of AQUIHAYAQUIHAY, this month's releases offer something to please every taste.

This month, the Jonas Brothers finally make their awaited return with The Album, while Ed Sheeran completes his math symbols series with Subtract. Paul Simon will turn dreams into reality with Seven Psalms, and Tuareg collective Tinariwen will continue their desert blues exploration on Amatssou. Early aughts pop-punk outfit the Exploding Hearts will get a remastered, expanded reissue, and dance music maven LP Giobbi will make her studio album debut with Light Places.

Below is a guide with 15 must-hear albums dropping May 2023. Read on for known names that might reignite your passion, and budding acts who will make your curiosity flourish.

Ed Sheeran - Subtract 

Release date: May 5

Completing Ed Sheeran’s series of albums titled after mathematical symbols, Subtract (stylized as -), will feature 14 cuts that deal with the singer’s "fear, depression, and anxiety" throughout the hardships that shaped his past year, according to an Instagram post.

Sheeran added that his wife’s tumor diagnosis while pregnant, the death of his best friend Jamal Edwards, and a 2022 plagiarism trial "changed my life, my mental health, and ultimately the way I viewed music and art," prompting him to scrap "a decade’s worth of work with my deepest, darkest thoughts."

Produced by the National’s Aaron Dessner, Subtract is billed as an acoustic album, ranging from "pared back, folk-leaning textures to bolder, full-band/orchestral arrangements," which can be seen through pre-release "Boat" and lead single "Eyes Closed."

Jonas Brothers - The Album

Release date: May 12

The Jonas Brothers’ sixth studio album has been teased since 2020, but after several delays (including the COVID-19 pandemic), the The Album will be unleashed into the world. The trio told Variety that the follow-up to 2019’s Happiness Begins "features elements of classic ’70s pop and Americana with a modern edge," and was inspired by another sibling trio — the Bee Gees — as well as rock bands the Doobie Brothers and America.

Produced by Jon Bellion (who is also the album’s only featured artist), most of its tracks were performed at the Jonas Brothers’ fifth and final Broadway show on March 18, 2023. However, expectations remain high as the album release will be accompanied by a yet-to-be-announced tour.

Kaytraminé - Kaytraminé

Release date: May 12

Fusing the talents of top-rated producer/DJ Kaytranada and rapper Aminé might have been one of the most ambitious efforts of 2023. 

Although they have been frequent collaborators since 2013, including Kaytranada producing three songs out of Aminé's 2015 mixtape Calling Brio, this is the first time they unite forces for a whole record as Kaytraminé.

The project's first single, "4EVA," features the Neptunes' Pharrell Williams on vocals and co-production. Judging by its vibe, it seems like summer already has an official soundtrack.

Parker McCollum - Never Enough

Release date: May 12

2021’s Gold Chain Cowboy set Parker McCollum on the path to becoming a country music star. The major label debut followed two self-released albums — 2015’s The Limestone Kid and 2017’s Probably Wrong, and ended up winning New Male Artist of the Year at the American Country Music Awards — as well as a double-platinum single, "Pretty Heart," and a gold-certified single, "To Be Loved by You."

McCollum continues to look forward with Never Enough. Among its 15 tracks, there is the first time he ever said "beer" in a song, as well as singles "Handle on You," "Stoned," "I Ain’t Going Nowhere," and "Speed." The singer is also extending his tour through the summer, with the participation of fellow country artists like Larry Fleet, Randy Rogers Band, and Flatland Cavalry on some dates.

LP Giobbi - Light Places

Release date: May 12

Boundary-bender musician, producer and entrepreneur LP Giobbi believes in "letting yourself get lost and finding out it’s exactly where you were supposed to be." 

The statement, and title of her debut studio album Light Places, follows lyrics from the Grateful Dead’s "Scarlet Begonias": "Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places / if you look at it right." Giobbi, who is also a confessed Deadhead, said that the lyrics are one of her father’s favorites, "and almost a philosophy for the way he lives and taught my brother and me to live." 

Produced almost entirely during flights while she toured the world with her "one-woman jam band" DJ sets, Light Places expands Giobbi’s classical jazz training into buoyant dance rhythms, and features collaborations with DJ Tennis, SOFI TUKKER, Caroline Byrne, and more. As a preview, she recently released singles "Can’t Let You Go (feat. Little Jet)" and "All I Need."

AQUIHAYAQUIHAY - NO ME BUSQUES DONDE MISMO

Release date: May 12

The forerunners of M-pop (Mexican pop) and a self-professed "anti-boyband," AQUIHAYAQUIHAY are known for blending traditional Latin genres with R&B and hip-hop. The 20-something quintet are set to release a new album, NO ME BUSQUES DONDE MISMO.

Formed in 2016, AQUIHAYAQUIHAY released their debut album, DROPOUT in 2019 and signed with DJ/producer Steve Aoki’s Latin underground label, Dim Mak en Fuego. The group  dropped two EPs in 2021, titled :) and :(.  

Although the sounds and influences in NO ME BUSQUES have yet to be revealed, the band released two preview singles, "Duelo" and "B-day," a TikTok teaser, and announced a Mexican tour in June.

Summer Walker - Clear 2: Soft Life 

Release date: May 19

"Y’all ready for some new music?" Summer Walker asked the crowd during her set at April’s Dreamville Festival. The question was preceded by the announcement of her upcoming EP, Clear 2: Soft Life.

Clear 2 is a sequel to Walker’s first EP, 2019’s Clear, which was released just nine months before her breakout debut studio album, Over It. Debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, the LP earned the biggest streaming week ever for an R&B album by a woman, and set the singer as a force to watch. Her 202 sophomore album, Still Over It, surpassed its predecessor and debuted at No. 1 on the same chart.

"This one — I want it to be a lot longer so I can really get that sound out," Walker recently told Billboard about her upcoming EP. "I make what I got to make for the radio, but I’m very excited for [Clear 2]. Hopefully, my budget will be permitted."

Lewis Capaldi - Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent

Release date: May 19

"If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it" seems to be a saying that Lewis Capaldi currently lives by. The Scottish sensation said in a press release that he doesn’t want to "create a new sound for myself, or reinvent myself," and therefore his much-awaited second studio album, Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, will follow his usual emotionally-driven delivery.

The album was recorded with a minimal set-up, consisting of only a "small interface, laptop, speakers, and a Shure SM7B vocal mic," as well as the same team who worked on his first album, 2019’s best-seller Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent: TMS, Phil Plested, Nick Atkinson and Edd Holloway.

Preceded by singles "How I'm Feeling Now," "Forget Me," "Pointless," and "Wish You the Best" — of which the last three topped the UK Singles Chart — it looks like Capaldi’s right to bet on his tried and true formula, with enough skills to spark curiosity from the audience, over and over again.

Paul Simon - Seven Psalms

Release date: May 19

Seven Psalms is Paul Simon’s fifteenth album, and his first of new material since 2016’s Stranger to Stranger. According to the six-decade-spanning singer, the project came to him in a dream and was inspired by the Book of Psalms.

Including seven acoustic tracks that are meant to be listened to as one uninterrupted piece, the album also features British vocal group VOCES8 and a participation by Simon’s wife, singer/songwriter Edie Brickell.

Seven Psalms is said to be a departure from any of his previous work, which encompasses the illustrious Simon & Garfunkel albums Bridge Over Troubled Water, Sounds of Silence, and more. An accompanying documentary, In Restless Dreams, is also set for release.

Juanes - Vida Cotidiana

Release date: May 19

While Juanes found immense success in 2021 with his cover album Origen, winning Best Pop/Rock Album at the Latin Grammy Awards and Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album at the GRAMMY Awards, his latest original work dates back to 2019, with the LP Más futuro que pasado.

Considering the events the world went through, 2019 feels more like a century ago. Therefore, Vida Cotidiana (or "daily life," in Spanish) arrives as a testament to the Colombian star’s reflections and changes during this turbulent time.

The 11-track collection also marks Juanes’ return to rock and Latin American folk foundations, while examining "love, marriage, family, and his country," according to a press release. So far, he released three lovelorn advance singles off the album: "Amores Prohibidos," "Gris" and "Ojalá."

Tinariwen - Amatssou

Release date: May 19

Amatssou means "beyond the fear" in Tamashek, the native language of the Tuareg collective Tinariwen — which, in turn, means "deserts." Known for their sociopolitical resistance and commitment to portraying the struggles of Mali, Amatssou stands as a fitting title for the band's ninth studio album.

Recorded inside a makeshift studio tent in Algeria, the record was produced in L.A. by GRAMMY winner Daniel Lanois) and features country musicians Wes Corbett and Fats Kaplin, furthering the collective’s link to the musical style. In a press release, Tinariwen are said to "have always been a country band, albeit a North African take on that most North American of genres."

Tinariwen will embark on a U.S. and Europe tour starting on May 27 in Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. They will also perform at festivals including Glastonbury and Roskilde. 

Arlo Parks - My Soft Machine

Release date: May 26

Contrasting with her delicate voice, British singer/songwriter Arlo Parks said in a statement that her sophomore album, My Soft Machine, is all about "the mid-20s anxiety, the substance abuse of friends around me, the viscera of being in love for the first time, navigating PTSD and grief and self-sabotage and joy." In summary, it’s a record about "what it’s like to be trapped in this particular body."

With an exceptional talent to transcribe raw emotions into contemplative, spacious music, Parks has given a taste of what to expect from this release through the singles "Blades," "Impurities," and "Weightless." She will also celebrate this moment by touring Europe and Asia in the following months, including performances at Spain and Portugal editions of Primavera Sound Festival

Lola Young - My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely

Release date: May 26

"And I like to think that I'm growing up and that I'm learnin'/But I've no idea what's underneath," reflects the south Londoner Lola Young on "Stream of Consciousness," the lead single for her upcoming album, My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely.

Following up on her 2021 EP After Midnight, the release is said to reflect Young’s "journey towards being a woman and figuring out who I am." Through her poignant lyrics, the 21-year-old gives a glimpse into the joys and pains of love in the 2020s. "I swear it don't hurt / You're looking at her / I'm looking at you," she muses in "Annabel’s House (From The Train)."  

Nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2022 BRIT Awards, she also revealed in an interview for NME that the album will be "slightly different" from her previous work, featuring more retro, alt-rock, and indie influences with a "raw edge."

The Exploding Hearts - Guitar Romantic (Expanded & Remastered)

Release date: May 26

The short-lived but still impactful Exploding Hearts will get a brand new chance of reaching more fans this spring. Their 2003 album of power-pop classics, Guitar Romantic, is being reissued to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Soon after the album release in 2003, three members of the band tragically passed away in a van accident while returning home from a gig in San Francisco. Surviving members King Louie Bankston (who passed away last year) and bassist Terry Six maintained their legacy through the duo Terry & Louie. Now, Six partnered with the band’s original producer, Pat Kearns, for the album reissue, and plans to play tribute shows in the upcoming months.

Guitar Romantic (Expanded & Remastered) will feature unreleased material, like conversations from the members, a King Louie Mix of "I’m A Pretender," and an unheard version of "So Bored."

Sparks - The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte

Release date: May 26

"So many people are crying in their latte" is the kind of musing about the contemporary world that only outlandish duo Sparks could have transformed into an engaging, nifty track. The lyrics come right off "The Girl is Crying In Her Latte," a preview single from their upcoming studio album of the same name.

Starring Cate Blanchett and her dandy dance moves in the music video, the track is proof that Sparks still have their finger on the pulse of culture, even after five decades of activity. "Veronica Lake," the second single off the project, keeps that same vein, bringing a modern spin to the narrative of actress Veronica Lake changing her hairstyle in order to protect factory workers during World War II.

The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte arrives after 2020’s A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip, and will be their first release under Island Records in 47 years. The pop rock pair is also scheduled to tour multiple cities in the U.S., Europe, and Japan in the summer.

Behind Shania Twain’s Hits: How A Hospital Stay, A Balmy Porch And A Hair Nightmare Inspired Her Biggest Hits & Videos

Janet Jackson has built a musical legacy artists dream of. With five GRAMMYs, 100 million albums sold, 10 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, there's no other way to describe her than a global icon.

As a member of the ever-talented Jackson family and little sister to the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson, it may not be so surprising that Janet has carved a trailblazing path of her own. But her musical success story wasn't immediate — not only was she hesitant to pursue a music career after establishing herself as an acclaimed actress in the late '70s and early '80s, but her first two albums lacked Jackson's creative input and were met with disappointing sales.

Once Jackson started calling the shots herself, though, she was on the fast track to rivaling pop's biggest names. Her 1986 album, Control, wasn't just her coming of age story — it was proof that she was a superstar in her own right.

Nearly four decades later, Jackson has released 10 albums, seven of which topped the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. On April 14, Jackson will launch her Together Again Tour, which commemorates her 50th anniversary in entertainment, as well as the anniversaries of her multi-platinum albums Janet and The Velvet Rope.

As the tour kicks off, GRAMMY.com revisits all of the timeless albums, standout visuals, and fearless concepts that propelled her into superstardom and inspired countless stars after her.

Listen to GRAMMY.com's official Songbook: An Essential Guide To Janet Jackson playlist on Spotify above and on Apple Music, Amazon Music and Pandora.

Commercial Breakthrough

Jackson closed out the '80s on a high note with back-to-back hits — including Hot 100 chart-topper "Miss You Much" — so it's easy to forget that the decade started out rather slowly for her. Between 1982 and 1984, Jackson released her eponymous debut studio album and its follow-up, Dream Street, both of which failed to make a significant impact on the Billboard 200; they sold just over half a million copies combined.

By the mid-80s, Jackson yearned for the creative freedom that could set her apart from her famous family, most notably her brother Michael, who was still riding high off the success of Thriller. She parted ways with her father as her manager and enlisted Prince protégés-turned-legendary duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for the funk-infused, synthesized assertiveness demonstrated in her third studio effort: Control. 

Released in 1986, the LP was undeniably a commercial success, producing several top five feminist anthems, including "Nasty" and "What Have You Done for Me Lately." She even scored a hit with the album closer, "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)," which emerged as a staple across R&B radio stations, despite not being released as a single. And while Control featured the pro-abstinence ballad "Let's Wait Awhile" — which proved to be especially powerful amid the AIDS epidemic, "Funny How Time Flies" felt like a catalyst for Jackson's sexually suggestive material that followed in the '90s and beyond.

In addition to earning Jackson her first No. 1 ("When I Think of You") and first GRAMMY nominations, including Album Of The Year, Control re-introduced Jackson as a force to be reckoned with and kickstarted a run of chart-topping albums and songs.

Socially Conscious Grooves

Instead of taking the safe route and capitalizing off the success of Control, Jackson set out to make a socially conscious record for the follow-up — despite her label's pushback against the idea. According to Jimmy Jam, Jackson was particularly disturbed by 1989's Stockton playground murders, a racially motivated mass shooting at an elementary school that claimed the lives of five children.

Taking notes from Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, and U2, Jackson released Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 in late 1989. The album opens with a now-iconic spoken pledge that states in part: "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."

What follows is a sequence of three hard-hitting, danceable tracks that preach racial harmony while shedding light on important issues like homelessness, poverty, teen pregnancy, crime, and substance abuse: "Rhythm Nation," "State of the World," and "The Knowledge." On the chilling outro of "Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)," children's screams and a snippet of a news broadcast covering the Stockton playground murders are heard throughout.

"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," Jackson reportedly said at the time of the album's release. "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."

Jackson's powerful messages resonated in a major way: Rhythm Nation 1814 sold 12 million copies worldwide — the second highest of Jackson's career — and amassed a long string of No. 1 and top 5 hits, including "Love Will Never Do (Without You)," "Come Back to Me," "Escapade," and "Black Cat." Rhythm Nation 1814 was also the first album to boast No. 1 hits in three different calendar years, and it's the only album to garner seven top 5 singles.

Its accompanying tour transformed Jackson into a fashion icon, as hoards of fans emulated her all-black, military-inspired attire. With two million concertgoers, the Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 is the most successful debut concert tour, a record Jackson still holds today. 

But the accolades didn't end there: "Rhythm Nation" won a GRAMMY for Best Long Form Music Video. She received a total of nine nominations in 1990 and 1991, including Producer Of The Year (Non-Classical) — making her the first woman to receive a nod in that category.

Culturally, it set the wheels in motion for future pop and R&B stars to make bold musical statements, from TLC's "Waterfalls" to Black Eyed Peas' "Where Is the Love?" to Beyoncé's "Formation." In 2021, the album was added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry for its "cultural, historical or aesthetic" significance.

The Janet Era

Jackson's "Love Will Never Do" video — the first to show off her physique — offered a preview of the megastar embracing her sensuality, but 1993's Janet saw her shed her good girl image once and for all.

Sonically, Janet departs from the big dance numbers Jackson issued in the '80s. Lead single "That's the Way Love Goes," for instance, marked her official foray into more adult, R&B-oriented sounds. It turned out to be a risk worth taking: The song soared to the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 and won a GRAMMY for Best R&B Song.

The album displayed Jackson's willingness to experiment with a myriad of musical styles, including new jack swing ("Because of Love"), opera ("This Time"), jazz ("Funky Big Band"), and house ("Throb"). Jackson, of course, leaves room for social consciousness in the underrated "New Agenda," a collaboration with Public Enemy's Chuck D that addresses racial and gender discrimination through a more optimistic lens.

Lyrically, "If" and "Any Time, Any Place" contain some of Jackson's most risqué verses. "I'll hold you in my hand and baby/ Your smooth and shiny feels so good against my lips, sugar," she sings in "If"; "Any Time, Any Place" is dedicated to public lovemaking ("I don't wanna stop just because people walkin' by are watchin' us").

But although the LP's overall theme was sexual pleasure, liberation, and lust, standout track "Again" tugged on listeners' heartstrings, showcasing one of her most emotional vocal performances. It sounds like Jackson is fighting back tears as she sings the closing line, "Don't you stand there and then tell me you love me then leave again/ 'Cause I'm falling in love with you again."

"Again" appeared in the 1993 film Poetic Justice, which saw Jackson return to her acting roots by playing the titular role. The song scored Jackson her first Oscar and Golden Globe nominations in 1994, and her "Poetic Justice" braids created another style icon moment for the star, as the hairstyle soared in popularity among young Black women. 

The sexed-up Janet era also birthed her famous Rolling Stone cover, which featured a topless Jackson with then-husband René Elizondo, Jr.'s hands cupping her breasts — solidifying her new status as a full-on sex symbol.

A Game-Changing Concept Album

Riding high off the success of three consecutive multi-platinum albums, Jackson was at her commercial peak in late 1997. Two years prior, she released her first compilation album, Design of a Decade: 1986-1996, celebrating the hits that made her a bonafide superstar. "Runaway," one of two new tracks recorded to promote the album, debuted in the top 10 — a first for a female artist at the time.

Adding to the hype, in 1996, she renegotiated her Virgin Records contract for $80 million, the largest deal in history at that time for an artist. Beneath the surface, however, Jackson battled depression. She chronicled those then-private struggles in what's arguably her most impactful project: The Velvet Rope.

On lead single "Got 'til It's Gone," Jackson merges hip-hop and folk music, thanks to Q-Tip's rap verse and a brilliant sample of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi." Set in South Africa's apartheid era, its stunning visuals celebrating Black culture and beauty earned a GRAMMY for Best Short Form Music Video in 1998. 

For many, "Together Again" is Jackson's most recognizable track from The Velvet Rope era, selling over six million copies worldwide — her biggest international hit to date, likely due to its universal themes of grief and loss. Originally penned for a friend she lost to AIDS (with the song's proceeds benefiting the American Foundation for AIDS Research), "Together Again" has since morphed into a dedication to her late brother, Michael.

Leaning into the sounds of neo-soul, "I Get Lonely" (which features Blackstreet on its remix) unveils Jackson's vulnerability. "I fell asleep late last night, cryin' like a newborn child," she laments on the song's first verse. Elsewhere on The Velvet Rope, she tackles domestic violence ("What About"), protests against homophobia ("Free Xone"), and confronts her own self-scrutiny and childhood trauma ("You" and "Special"). She also explores sexual fluidity on a cover of Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night," as well as BDSM on "Rope Burn." In contrast, the club-ready "Go Deep" serves as one of the rare bright spots on the album — perfectly crafted for late-night house parties.

Decades later, The Velvet Rope holds up as a masterpiece. The deeply personal record sparked conversations about mental health and helped to usher in alternative R&B, a sub-genre now associated with artists like SZA, The Weeknd, and Frank Ocean. It also paved the way for mainstream artists to incorporate darker themes into their music while tapping their personal lives as inspiration — with Beyoncé's Lemonade and Rihanna's Rated R albums being prime examples.

Feel-Good Classics

Jackson separated from Elizondo, Jr. when she began recording 2001's All for You. The upbeat title track, built around a heavy sample of Change's "The Glow of Love," skyrocketed to No. 1 — her 10th and final chart-topper.

Smashing radio airplay records left and right, "All for You" made its way onto every pop, rhythmic, and urban radio station during its first week, and it also became the highest Hot 100 debut for a non-commercially available single. The song's chart performance earned Jackson the "Queen of Radio" title — an impressive feat nearly 30 years into her career, especially amid the booming success of younger acts like Britney Spears, Destiny's Child, Usher, and Nelly. A year later, "All for You" earned Jackson her fifth GRAMMY, and her first for Best Dance Recording.

The 20-track LP also includes "Doesn't Really Matter," the lead single for the Nutty Professor II: The Klumps soundtrack and technically Jackson's first offering of the new millennium. All for You's final single "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" — a delightfully warped reimagining of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" — and deep cuts like "Trust a Try," "Truth," and "Better Days" allude to the singer's relationship woes, but the album mostly celebrates being newly single. The then 35-year-old sounds optimistic, almost giddy at times, about the possibility of finding love again, as exhibited in "Come On Get Up" and "Someone to Call My Lover." The latter song borrows America's laid-back guitar riff from their 1972 hit "Ventura Highway" for a dose of nostalgic folk.

Turning Music Videos Into An Art Form

As Jackson proved to be a stealth competitor to the new generation of pop superstars, her impact was rippling through the music videos of Britney Spears, Usher, and Backstreet Boys — particularly her "Miss You Much" chair routine. 

Jackson's music videos have been an essential facet of her legacy from the start, but "Rhythm Nation" is arguably the most striking and influential. Originally presented on MTV as the conclusion of Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 short film, the black-and-white visual displayed a deeper side to her artistic vision, featuring Jackson and her dancers executing rigid, military-style choreography in a warehouse setting, while singing unison about social injustice. 

The Velvet Rope is responsible for some of her most artistic and captivating visuals to date. In "Together Again," filmed in Tanzania, vibrant images of a joyful, red-haired Jackson in a safari-esque utopia are bolstered by breathtaking shots of wildlife. Her sex appeal is undeniable in the videos for "I Get Lonely" and moderate hit "Every Time," the latter of which is easily her most forgotten visual — though it seemingly inspired the bathtub scenes in Britney Spears' "Everytime" and Rihanna's "Stay" videos.

Earlier videos such as Control's "The Pleasure Principle" quickly set a new standard for female artists to carry entire videos based on choreography alone, as evidenced in Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody?," Ciara's "Promise," and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." Later, 1995's avant-garde "Scream" — her highly anticipated duet with brother Michael — set off a wave of other futuristic videos, including TLC's "No Scrubs" and Missy Elliott's "She's a B—." The visual won the sibling duo a GRAMMY for Best Short Form Music Video in 1996, and still holds the Guinness World Record for most expensive music video ever made, costing a whopping $7 million. 

As a pioneer of the video era, Jackson's contributions were acknowledged and celebrated when she received MTV's inaugural Icon tribute in 2001. The televised event featured an electrifying dance tribute from Pink, Usher and Mýa; a sincere rendition of "Let's Wait Awhile" from Destiny's Child; and *NSYNC's recreation of Jackson's "That's the Way Love Goes" video. Jackson herself closed out the show with a performance of her then-latest hit "All for You."

Underrated Gems

Upon the arrival of 2004's Damita Jo, Jackson's music had been overshadowed by a career-derailing wardrobe malfunction during her Super Bowl halftime show performance with Justin Timberlake. The incident resulted in Damita Jo becoming Jackson's first album to miss the No. 1 spot since 1984's Dream Street; even then, many critics praised its lead single, "Just a Little While," noting its potential to become Jackson's next big hit. Despite the unprecedented backlash Jackson endured, Damita Jo picked up a nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2005 GRAMMY Awards.

Standouts include "All Nite (Don't Stop)," "Strawberry Bounce," and the Evelyn King-sampling "R&B Junkie." Co-written by then-upcomers Kanye West and John Legend, the slept-on "I Want You" pays homage to the Motown era and remains a fan favorite.

Jackson's next couple of albums, 2006's 20 Y.O. and 2008's Discipline, also underperformed with combined sales echoing those of Janet Jackson and Dream Street. Even so, compared to Damita Jo's "Just a Little While," 20 Y.O. and Discipline's lead singles fared better on the charts. The endearing "Call on Me" (featuring Nelly), and the infectious "Feedback" peaked at No. 25 and No. 19 on the Hot 100, respectively.

In 2015, Jackson released Unbreakable, which spawned the slow jam "No Sleeep," her 40th Hot 100 entry. Marking Jackson's first release as an independent artist, Unbreakable debuted atop the Billboard 200, making her only one of four artists with No. 1 albums spanning four consecutive decades.

Three years later, Jackson teamed up with Daddy Yankee for "Made for Now," bridging African and Latin beats for a dancefloor classic. The track was an extension of what Jackson does best: create infectious tunes that inspire, uplift, and unite the world. 

It's hard to believe a decade is fast approaching since Jackson's last studio album. As she revealed herself when she announced the Together Again Tour, "there will be new music" — but as it stands, her body of work feels as relevant as ever. 

As she treks across North America to perform her biggest hits, she'll remind millions that she's as musically innovative as they come. Janet Jackson shined a light on social issues, shattered sexual taboos, broke new ground with candid lyrics, and revolutionized the industry with intricate choreography and memorable videos — solidifying her status as eternal pop royalty.

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