Janet Jackson’s ‘Rhythm Nation’ Inducted Into Grammy Hall of Fame: It ‘Fights Bigotry and Promotes Understanding’

By Althea Legaspi

Althea Legaspi

Contact Althea Legaspi on X View all posts by Althea Legaspi May 9, 2026

Janet Jackson was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for Rhythm Nation 1814, alongside several seminal albums and recordings at a gala on Friday at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

The musician, who celebrated the 40th anniversary of Control earlier this year, delivered a powerful acceptance speech following her induction by Jimmy Jam, who along with Terry Lewisproduced Rhythm Nation.

“I’m so grateful and honored that Rhythm Nation is being recognized tonight in this wonderful, wonderful way. It’s beautiful to relive the memories attached to this project that’s so, so precious to me,” Jackson said. “I don’t see Rhythm Nation as a phenomenon that lives in the past, I believe it’s alive and well in 2026. Rhythm Nation still resonates on a deep and profound level. It’s an ongoing force that fights bigotry and promotes understanding. It cannot be stopped — it’s simply too strong and too positive. Rhythm Nation is a movement of people of all ages and backgrounds seeking to give and receive love, free of judgment.”

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“As we celebrate tonight, let’s remember that it transcends all borders, nationalities, and faiths. When you hear the music of Rhythm Nation, I hope you hear my heart‘s desire when we first created this suite of songs. More than ever, my hope is that we might live in a world free of fear and despair,” Jackson continued. “The prayer driving this Rhythm Nation remains the same, exactly the same, that peace prevail. Peace the world over, peace among nations, peace in our neighborhoods, peace in our homes. May the music of Rhythm Nation continue to bring us together in peace and may that peace allow us to celebrate this precious gift of life that God has given us. All praise be to God. I thank the Grammy organization for this wonderful honor.”

The star-studded event celebrated the induction of several important recordings. Take 6 kicked off the performances for the night, delivering the Soul Stirrers’ inducted recording “Jesus Gave Me Water.” It was followed by Taylor Hanson, who performed a faithful acoustic cover of Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon,” the title song from the late folk singer’s third and final album that was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and also made Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time List. Hanson released a cover of “Pink Moon” in 2024, which appeared on Underneath: Complete, a 20th anniversary reissue of their third album.

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Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson revisited their band’s debut studio album, Dreamboat Annie, for its induction, performing the classics “Magic Man,” the title track, and “Crazy on You.” Fyütch and Aura V followed with a performance of Ella Jenkins’ “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song,” the title track to the inducted album from the late “first lady of children’s music.” Their performance was followed by Lucinda Williams delivering “Can’t Let Go” and the title track of the inducted Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. Her 1998 alt-country classic landed at Number 98 on our Greatest Albums list. Isabel Marie came next, delivering Selena’s “No Me Queda Mas” from the late singer’s inducted album, Amor Prohibido.

Norah Jones, who received the Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award paid tribute to Charles, performing renditions of his “Seven Spanish Angels” and “Hallelujah, I Love Him So,” her take on “Hallelujah, I Love Her So.”

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Funkadelic’s 1971 album Maggot Brain, which also made Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, was inducted with a rousing performance of “Maggot Brain” and “Can You Get to That” from bandleader George Clinton, Funkadelic guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight, and Erykah Badu.

Warner Records was also recognized as the Vision of Music recipient to close out the night, with Teddy Swims and Josh Groban paying tribute to the label with separate performances.

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