Janet Damita Jackson, Ms Jackson if you’re nasty, today celebrates her 56th birthday.

The multi-faceted entertainer, who broke away from her brothers’ shadow, made quite the name for herself over the years, becoming a legendary figure in music.

A singer, songwriter, actress and dancer, Jackson has left an indelible footprint in the world of music, so, as we celebrate her, let us take a look at a few songs by the mother-of-one to add to your playlist.

8. Escapade

The 14th track from the record breaking Rhythm Nation 1814 album, Escapade topped the Hot 100 chart for three consecutive weeks.

Achieving gold status, Escapade was inspired by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ track, Nowhere To Run.

7. All For You

All For You is the lead single from Jackson’s 2001 album of the same name. Written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the lyrics were inspired by her life as a newly single woman, having recently divorced husband of nine year,s Rene Elizondo Jr.

Jackson, who has spotted a guy that has the hots for her, tries to put him at ease, after noticing how intimidated he felt in approaching her.

6. The Pleasure Principle

Written by Monte Moir, a member of the Minneapolis funk group The Time, The Pleasure Principle was the sixth track from the singer’s Control album.

The accompanying music video, where Janet performs a solo-dance routine is considered one of her best, even beating out her older brother, Michael, for the MTV video music award for Best Choreography.

5. So Excited

One of the singer’s more modern songs on this list, So Excited was released on her 20 Y.O album.

A mixture of pop, hip hop and dance, So Excited features American rapper Khia. Released in 2006, the track was produced by LRoc, Jermaine Dupri, Janet Jackson and her longtime producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

4. Luv Me Luv Me

Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Luv Me Luv Me is a track by Shaggy which features the artiste. The song was done for the soundtrack for the 1998 film, How Stella Got Her Groove Back.

Due to contractual negotiations, this version of the track was never released as a single. Shaggy who wanted to add the track to his Hot Shot album, re-recorded the record with Samantha Cole three years later.

3. Control

Control, which opens the 1986 album, was to signify her new found independence. The fourth track from the album of the same name, Control, hit gold status.

This album saw the singer professionally break away from her father, Joe Jackson, who managed her until that point.

2. Scream

The one and only song released and featuring the most popular Jackson siblings (with the exception of P.Y.T which features Janet’s background vocals), Scream was written, composed, and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in collaboration with the two Jacksons.

The up-tempo track, released on MJ’s ninth studio album, was his way of clapping back at the media who for years had been hounding him. For Janet, being on the track was her way of supporting her older brother who had recently faced sexual abuse allegations.

This was the first track in which Michael used an expletive.

1. Rhythm Nation

One of the artiste’s most popular and impactful tracks, even to date, Rhythm Nation was influenced by the crime and violence taking place at the Stockton playground in California at the time.

Patrick Purdy killed five children on the playground before turning the gun to his own head. Jackson, along with Jam and Lewis, wanted to write something that zoomed in on the nation of people who visited dance clubs.

These patrons who come from many different backgrounds unite for mainly one thing, their love of music.

“I was reading about all these clubs and I thought it would be great if we could create our own nation. One that would have a positive message and that everyone would be free to join,” Jackson shared in an interview.