Janet Jackson Honors Late Family Members At 2018 Global Citizen Festival

Janet Jackson’s set at the 2018 Global Citizen Festival was bursting with heart-rending moments.

On Saturday (September 29), the living legend opened her explosive showcase at the free-ticketed music festival with a rare delivery of her song “Skin Game,” a b-side track from Jackson’s album Rhythm Nation 1814.

The R&B star kept the energy going from there, performing some of her well-known hits — from ‘80s throwbacks like “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” “Nasty,” “Control” and “The Pleasure Principle” to her contemporary dance grooves “All for You,” “Feedback” and “That’s the Way Love Goes.”

After surprising her crowd by bringing out rapper Q-Tip for their fiery team-up “Got ’til It’s Gone,” the 52-year-old musician’s set took an emotional turn when remembering her departed family members.

Janet began to tear up reflecting on past abuse during “What About” and shouted to the heavens to remember her brother Michael Jackson during “Scream.” Fighting through the hurt, she kept her head held high while honoring her late father Joe Jackson, whose face was displayed on a projection screen as she dedicated “Together Again” in his memory. "I miss you," she said. "I love you. Both of you."

Before closing her show with her latest jam "Made for Now," Janet turned her attention to important social issues women are still dealing with today. "Like millions of other women out there, I know about bullying. I know about verbal abuse. I know about physical abuse. I know about abuse of authority," she started her speech. "I'm sick, I'm repulsed, I'm infuriated by the double standards that continue to treat women as second-class citizens. Enough, you guys!"

Watch a few moments from her set, below, and read our exclusive interview with Janet here.

Photo: Getty Images