Janet Jackson fired her father as her manager, hired Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and made Control -- an album about a young woman taking the reins of her own life. The youngest of the Jackson dynasty, and for a long time the most interesting. Miss You Much. Escapade. Rhythm Nation 1814 -- a concept album about racism, poverty, and injustice that somehow also filled dance floors.

Then the 2004 Super Bowl. Justin Timberlake. The wardrobe malfunction. Janet was blacklisted. Her music pulled from radio. Timberlake's career continued uninterrupted. The double standard was so obvious it didn't need commentary. She kept working. Kept touring. Kept being Janet.

She's one of the best-selling artists in history. Her choreography influenced a generation. Her music -- from the plucky independence of Control to the dark sensuality of The Velvet Rope -- mapped the emotional life of a Black woman navigating fame, family, and desire. The industry tried to cancel her. She's still dancing.

Janet Jackson -- fired her father, made Control, made Rhythm Nation. The Super Bowl tried to cancel her. She's still dancing.