NOTES:
Rhythm Nation 1814 is the fourth studio album from Janet Jackson, released on September 12, 1989 by A&M Records. It is a concept album addressing socially conscious issues, such as racism, gang violence, poverty, illiteracy, bigotry, and substance abuse. It was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and it was also the first time that Janet was given co-producing credit. A&M executive John McClain, who was also Janet's manager, served as the album's executive producer.

Prior to recording the album, A&M Records urged Janet to create her next album expanding on the lyrics and themes explored in her previous studio album Control, particularly concerning her family. Janet, however, insisted on writing a concept album dealing with completely different subject matter. The album is considered innovative due to its use of socially conscious lyrics that are put to up tempo dance music, containing elements of rhythm and blues, funk, and new jack swing. Janet, Jam and Lewis drew inspiration for the lyrics and its interludes from television news coverage, such as CNN.

The album's liner notes contain the creed, "Music, Poetry, Dance, Unity," and the pledge, "We are a nation with no geographic boundaries, bound together through our beliefs. We are like-minded individuals, sharing a common vision, pushing toward a world rid of color-lines."

The use of the number 1814 in the title was chosen for two reasons: It was the year that Francis Scott Key wrote the United States national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner," and also the letter "R" is the 18th letter of the alphabet and "N" is the 14th.

A 30-minute long-form music video, also titled Rhythm Nation 1814, was created to promote the album. Directed by Dominic Sena, the plot of the black and white film centers around two boys whose dreams of pursuing a music career together are ruined because one of them becomes a victim of substance abuse. The film features elements of several songs from the album, most notably "Miss You Much" and "Rhythm Nation," both of which were also released as their own separate short-form music videos.

The album reached #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and seven of its singles reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, becoming the first and only album in history to achieve that feat. It is also the only album in history to chart number one hits in three separate calendar years. It has been certified six-times platinum by the RIAA.

Janet supported the album with her first concert tour, the Rhythm Nation World Tour, which became the most successful debut tour by any music artist in history.

A limited edition version of the album was released in the United States, which contains the album on both CD and cassette formats, and also includes an 1814 pin.

SINGLES RELEASED:
"Miss You Much," "Rhythm Nation," "Escapade," "Alright," "Come Back to Me," "Black Cat," "Love Will Never Do (Without You)," and "State of the World."

ALBUM CREDITS:
Janet Jackson (vocals, keyboards); Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis (various instruments, background vocals); Lisa Keith (background vocals); John McClain, Rene Elizondo, James "Popeye" Greer, Randy Ran, Anthony Thomas, Steve Hodge, Jamila Lafleur, Tsehaye Marks, Tarnika McDaniel, Sonja Robinson, Clarice Rupert, Warlesha Ryan, Reshard Taylor, Steven Wilson, Shante Owens, Amy Powell (additional vocals); Herb Alpert (tijuana brass, trumpet); Johnny Gill (finger snaps); Dave Barry, John McClain, Jesse Johnson, O. Nicholas Raths (guitar); Jellybean Johnson (drum programming, drums, percussion, guitar, additional vocals); Julie Ayer, Carolyn Daws, Hanley Daws (violin); John Tartaglia, Tamas Strasser (viola); Peter Howard, Joshua Koestenbaum (cello); Chris Brown (bass); Kathy Kienzle (harp).

Producers: Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jellybean Johnson.

Engineers include: Steve Hodge, Brad Yost.