Photo provided by Solaiman Fazel

Coming from the the most famous musical family ever sure didn’t hurt Janet Jackson’s chances for notoriety, but she certainly took “Control” of her destiny and carved out a colossal niche all her own since the early 1980s.

Much like her brother Michael was crowned the “King Of Pop,” Janet is often considered the genre’s “Queen,” though her more than 100 million copy-selling catalogue is also filled with constant innovation in rock, R&B and otherwise.

All of her many flavors and iconic eras were on display at a jam packed United Center for the latest leg of the “Together Again” Tour, which just so happened to fall on on Juneteenth and found fans wearing just as many shirts to mark the occasion as merchandise sporting the headliner.

Despite not permitting press photos, Jackson’s nearly two-hour night was filled with glitzy costume changes, giant screens, lasers, a live band, four male dancers and all the classic choreography on a double level stage.

The slow burning, sensual start included “Night,” “2nite” and “Slolove,” prior to pumping up the dance beats during “Rick With U” and “Throb,” eventually settling into the chill grooves of “That’s The Way Love Goes.”

Although “What Have You Done or Me Lately,” “Nasty,” “The Pleasure Principle” and “When I Think Of You” were amongst her earliest smashes, they sounded just as trendsetting today, plus she dusted off rarities such as “Diamonds,” originally cut with jazz giant Herb Alpert, and “The Best Things In Life Are Free,” which featured late soul great Luther Vandross.

Ballads “Let’s Wait Awhile,” the audience accompanied “Again” and “Any Time, Any Place” served as particularly effective vehicles for Janet’s tenders vocals, while one call and response anthem flowed into the next come the continuous “All For You,” “Alright,” “Escapade” and “Miss You Much.”

However, the socially conscious stretch of “State Of The World” and “The Knowledge,” straight into the guitar-charged “If” and the MJ duet “Scream,” each perfectly paved the way towards the pinnacle of “Rhythm Nation” as Jackson unequivocally reclaimed her place atop the throne.

Right beforehand, “Country Grammar” rapper/actor Nelly, alongside a crew of emcees, dancers and a DJ, breezed through bits or full renditions of “Ride Wit Me,” “Dilemma” and “Hot In Herre,” to name a handful of his humongous personal or collaborative hits, ensuring the party promptly got started.

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