On May 18, 1993, Janet Jackson released her most commercially successful album to date, janet. That was 25 years ago, which is an eternity in the ever changing music business. However, Janet has defied all of the odds over the years. Plus, the 25th anniversary of her biggest album couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Last night, she was honored with the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards. Here’s a quick run down of 25 reasons why Janet is still the greatest female performer of all time.

1. She’s always been unafraid to speak out on social injustice. Janet Jackson has always stood up for what’s right…as far back as the late 80s with albums like Rhythm Nation 1814. 
2. She proved that how you start isn’t how you finish. Her 1986 third album, Control, was so wildly successful that people forget it wasn’t her first. 1982’s Janet Jackson and 1984’s Dream Street came first and predated her worldwide crossover appeal
3. Janet is sexy without being trashy. Many female artists have tried to emulate her tying a male fan to a chair and dancing on top of them. She pushed the envelope with songs like “Throb”, “Would You Mind?” and the classic ,”Anytime, Anyplace”. However, she always managed to still leave something to the imagination.
4. Poetic Justice is still a classic. Janet Jackson has starred in several hit movies, but Poetic Justice is still my favorite. The film was the perfect segue way into the release of janet.. The movie helped solidify her as the 90s “it” girl.
5. At 52 years old, she still looks and dances better than women half her age. I love Beyonce, but let’s be clear. Janet Jackson set the blue print for image and showmanship.
6. “I Get Lonely” is hands down one of the best breakup songs to ever be recorded. The music video took it a step further with her simple, yet dominant and sexy black pants, suspenders and that infamous open shirt scene.
7. “Scream” is still the best sibling duet the music industry has ever seen. The music video was unlike anything that had ever been seen before. It even took home a Grammy Award. for Best Music Video in 1996. TLC capitalized on it in the “No Scrubs” video a few years later. Both clips were directed by Hype Williams.
8. Her style is iconic. Whether she’s in a t-shirt and jeans, a leather cat suit or form fitted dress, she always looks amazing. Some of today’s stars like Teyana Taylor still borrow from some of Janet’s most notable looks.
9. She’s the first and only artist to have 7 top 5 Billboard Hot 100 hits from just one album, Rhythm Nation 1814.
10. She has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Of course, many artists don’t sell physical records anymore. Nonetheless, there are only a few who have achieved this many sales even with streams tallied.
11. She has nearly 30 top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits from her whole career.
12. In 2015, she formed her own record label, Rhythm Nation Records. Her last studio album, Unbreakable, was released that same year.
13. She still holds the record for the most American Music Awards nominations from one album (12 for Control).
14. Rhythm Nation 1814 is the only album in history to produce a No. 1 single in three separate calendar years (1989-1991).
15. She was awarded with the MTV Video Vanguard Award in 1990. In case you’re not aware, many artists only dream of receiving this award.
16. janet. was her first album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart.
17. The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame lists janet. as one of the 200 Definitive Albums Of All Time.
18. Her single “Again” earned her a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song in 1993.
19. “If” is the best “I’m not with you, but this is what I would do to you if I was” song in history. Many female artists have explored this theme in songs before, but no one made it as sexy as Janet….even 25 years later. She had all the guys wishing she was speaking to them back then and still does now.
20. “Got Til It’s Gone” featuring Q-Tip won a Grammy Award in 1998 for Best Music Video. We’ve been dreaming for another collab from these two for the past 20 years.
21. In 2001, MTV gave her another huge honor with the Inaugural Icon Award, which was a televised event specifically designed just for her.
22. 20 Y.O. (released in 1996) became her eighth consecutive platinum album.
23. BET honored her with the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award in 2015.
24. Janet is STILL selling out arenas around the world, more than 30 years into her career. 
25. She is the first African American woman to be awarded the Billboard Icon Award. Plus, she KILLED her performance of the medley of her hits. 

Here’s a look back at some of the best of old school and new school Janet.