ROC4LIFE

For over two decades, Janet Jackson has entertained us as a singer, as a dancer and as one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st century. Today marks the 46th birthday of the truly inspirational woman who has delivered iconic albums such as Rhythm Nation and The Velvet Rope to us during her musical tenure.

To honor the born day of a woman responsible for selling over 100 million albums worldwide throughout her lengthy career we are acknowledging her presence on the music time-line by noting six of her most prevalent disciples.

Ask most artists on the R&B chart today who they cite as their major influences and Janet Jackson will inevitably come into conversation.

So, Happy Birthday Janet Jackson, Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty.

6. J.Lo
Obviously her lyrical tenacity pales in comparison to Janet’s, but one aspect where the JJ influence is apparent is in J.Lo’s dance moves. Heavily influenced by Janet, Lopez danced her way onto the video set for “That’s The Way Love Goes,” as a back up dancer for Ms. Jackson. Who better to learn from than the woman herself?

5. Destiny’s Child
Kelly Rowland cites Janet as her biggest influence, and Beyonce forever holds the Jackson’s baby sister in the highest of regard. It is easy to see the influence of Janet in the group’s early tracks from “Bug a Boo” to the girls “making money” and throwing their hands in the air. The independent spirit Janet promoted is forever present in all Destiny’s Child released.

4. Usher
Usher has always been vocal about how influential the Jackson family have been on him as an artist. He credits Janet Jackson as his major push to execute the perfect stage show. Picking up countless tips from Jackson on the Velvet Rope tour, where he was one of her opening acts, Usher has put all the advice and lessons learned during the infancy of his career to good use and has become one of the best showmen in R&B.

3. Britney
Giving Janet’s smash hit “Nasty” a modern day feel in “I’m a Slave 4 U,” courtesy of the Neptues, Britney has forever advocated her love for the woman who did it all years before she was even born. One big difference between the two is that Ms. Jackson pens her own lyrics, but the respect is there from the once troubled Spears whenever she gets the opportunity.

2. Ciara
They say imitation is the biggest form of flattery, and for Atlanta singer/dancer Ciara, there is no other person who has aspired to be the contemporary Janet Jackson more. Hailed as Jackson’s mini-me, Ciara even went as far as to collaborate with her icon on Feedback in 2007 and gets the goose-bumps when compared to her muse.

1. Rihanna
She dressed like her when she was a kid. She admires the strength and power she has as a music icon so is it any wonder that Rihanna has forever held a light for the musical prowess of Janet Jackson? Probably not. Bringing to video in the 21st century what Janet did in the 20th, this Bajan star, like many others on this list, is indebted to the legacy of Ms. Jackson.

— Melanie J. Cornish