On Friday (Mar. 29) Janet Jackson was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during their 34th annual ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
After officially being inducted by Janelle Monáe, Jackson gave a heartfelt speech about her almost 40-year career and the Jackson family’s legacy in music.
“I witnessed, along with the rest of the world, my family’s extraordinary impact on popular culture—not just in America, but all around the globe,” Jackson said. “And as the youngest in the family, I was determined to make it on my own. I wanted to stand on my own two feet. But never in a million years did I expect to follow in their footsteps. Tonight, your baby sister has made it.”
During her speech, Jackson summoned the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to induct more women next year. “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, please, 2020: induct more women. Thank you so much for this honor.” Jackson and Stevie Nicks were the only two women inducted in last night’s ceremony. Nicks made history as the first woman inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice (she was inducted in 1998 with the band Fleetwood Mac).
Jackson wrapped up her speech by thanking her fans. “I also wanna say a personal word to each and every fan. You’ve been with me every step of the way—through all my ups, all my downs. I have never, never have and I never will, take you for granted,” she said.
She also took this opportunity to give everyone an update on her son, Eissa Al Manal. “And I just, I wanna thank my baby, my beautiful son. He wakes me up every single morning singing his own little melodies. He’s only 2, you guys. And I want you to know you are my heart. You are my life. And you have shown me the meaning of real unconditional love. Mumma loves you, Eissa, ra-ra-ra!”
The 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony will air on HBO on April 27 at 8 pm.