Control

After two solid but low-profile releases, Control turned 19-year-old Janet Jackson into an international superstar, second only to her brother Michael. Leaving the family nest to connect with former Prince protégés Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jackson created a subtle concept album about feminine independence—from the take-no-prisoners electro-funk of "Nasty" to the shimmering delicacy of "Let's Wait Awhile." The mixture of vibrant, melodic pop and dance floor-ready R&B especially shines on the syncopated thwack of "What Have You Done for Me Lately."