After years of silence, things started happening in the spring of 2015. Hints of new music to come, rumours of a tour. This was it — she was reunited with Jimmy and Terry and would finally address all the rubbish that happened to her over the previous decade. The first single, “No Sleeep,” became a hit and was reminiscent of “That’s the Way Love Goes” in its style and pace. A good sign for sure. When the “Unbreakable” album finally came out, I was beyond thrilled. The song that really struck me was “Shoulda Known Better.” I still can’t hear that last line without shedding a tear. I live in Baltimore and our city has been through it with riots and police brutality. Hearing Janet finally weigh in again after 25 years on issues of social consciousness at this time in our city’s life was so moving. To hear her reminisce about “Rhythm Nation” 25 years later is powerful. Those of us who were there in 1989 remember what it was like. Our generation — Gen X — was going to fix all the rubbish that the Boomers messed up. Poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia, and on and on. To hear her reflect on that and acknowledge that we didn’t quite make it was simultaneously heartbreaking and motivating. We have to keep fighting for the revolution.
My friend and I, who first saw her on the Rhythm Nation tour, reunited for her show in Minneapolis. What a night! We clasped hands during the last lines of “Shoulda Known Better.” We danced the whole time, hugged each other during some of the sadder moments. Another friend who came with us and is just a casual fan declared it “the best concert I have ever seen in my life.” Exactly.
And now, at age 46, I can say that Janet’s music remains the soundtrack of my life. “Unbreakable” inspires listeners to be more positive and grateful and to do good and not be a critic (because it’s never the critic that counts). To always focus on love and gratitude. I will work on all of the above.
I hope the success of this album and tour reminds her that she’s truly inspired legions of people over the decades and that she keeps on making music and performing. The journey continues and we don’t know where it will end because the world keeps calling each of us. Janet’s calling is to inspire through music and I hope she keeps going. She’s well travelled but there’s a long way to go. Thank you, Janet, for all you’ve done for LGBT people and for people of colour and for everyone who was / is an underdog or outsider. We are all a part of the Rhythm Nation and always will be.