Gen Zers are learning about Janet Jackson, and the results are so-so so far.

A plus is that the pop icon’s 2001 single “Someone to Call My Lover” has resurfaced thanks to TikTok. Millennials and teenagers alike are enjoying the blissful bop through choreography, parodies, and memeable posts. Jackson herself even joined the fun by posting a narrative-driven TikTok, recounting the Erik Satie sample behind the All for You track.

But the storytime wasn’t enough for younger fans, who aren’t familiar with Jackson's endless classics across eleven albums. One individual even went viral after asking for song recommendations, sharing a playlist with their newly discovered top Jackson picks. The trend also created a dialogue that left the singer’s fans divided. 

On one end, Jackson has reached an untouchable status. She’s sold over 100 million records globally, had ten Billboard chart-topping hits, and had seven albums that debuted atop the Billboard 200. But at 58 years old, some believe that Jackson hasn’t carried a legacy equal to that of her musical contemporaries, like Mariah Carey or Mary J. Blige.

But let’s be clear, Jackson’s been in her own lane for decades. She doesn't need comparison to artists, who, while legendary in their own right, haven’t needed to reclaim themselves publicly to the extent that Jackson has. Although she wasn’t at fault, Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction during the 2004 Super Bowl nearly derailed her career, with the singer being targeted as a ‘Jezebel’ and accused of sexualizing the sports event. Jackson apologized but, partially due to the evolving music industry, wouldn’t regain the same album sales she had in her early years. However, over 20 years since the incident–what else do we want from Ms. Janet?

Since 2008, Jackson has embarked on seven world tours and was an Essence Festival headliner four times, the latest in 2024. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. More recently, Jackson held a Las Vegas residency, which was extended after a successful ten-show run. Perhaps Jackson isn’t as social media savvy as Carey and her Lambily, but she’s been consistent. She has given us a lifetime of material to cherish and introduce to the next generation.

Maybe Jackson isn’t in the space to capitalize on her impact in a way fitting for fans who grew up on the internet. She occasionally posts concert recaps and check-ins on TikTok, but they’re on brand for a celebrity that’s so private that she doesn’t even share pictures of her eight-year-old son. Whether Jackson goes viral again or decides not to seek further validation, fans shouldn’t be demanding of her. Jackson set the standard and has given us more than enough.