Janet Jackson is one of the few names in pop culture who has been a successful triple threat throughout her entire career. In 1990, she headlined her first world tour. With the release of her fourth studio album, Rhythm Nation 1814, Miss Jackson performed songs from that album as well as her third album Control.

It may have been forgotten by now, that Janet released two previous albums that were poorly received before linking up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The Flyte Tyme producers from Minneapolis, have worked with Janet on her studio albums since Control in 1986.  

On this tour, she introduced fans to what would become the quintessential Janet Jackson tour; she had the essentials—background singers and live band—but then she also was supported by a group of six background dancers who added excitement to the live experience. The Paula Abdul school of dance was showcased well on this first tour.

She performed songs like Control, Nasty, Pleasure Principle and of course Rhythm Nation. And slowed it down with ballads like Let’s Wait a While and Come Back to Me. It was this tour that separated her as a stellar performer who can stand on her own without help from her legendary brother.

During her tour around the world, Janet had seven different songs on the billboard charts in the year 1990. She was nominated for multiple music awards and made TV appearances on programs like the American Music Awards and Billboard awards. 

The tour launched in Pensacola, FL on February 27, 1990, when Escapade was number one on the Billboard charts. Most of the tour was a sell out with Japan tour dates selling out in a record breaking seven minutes. The tour wrapped on November 16, 1990 in Japan at the Yokohama arena.

Recently, Miss Jackson’s name was brought up for a possible Verzuz battle with Missy Elliott. And now adays, you have to start fictitious beefs online as a pretentious publicity stunt to stay relevant. So, Swizz Beatz decided to take a swipe at Miss Jackson to gather interest around the possible battle. I find this superfluous since both ladies can garner interest without fake beefs but, I’m not the expert, so…

Some information used in this article was obtained from the Billboard website and the Fandom website.