Janet Jackson has always been candid about her close bond with her late brother, Michael Jackson. The King of Pop’s death in June 2005 was a profound loss for the world, but, for Janet, it was a personal heartbreak. As she continues her Together Again tour, she pays homage to Jackson, ensuring his legacy lives on through their iconic collaboration, “Scream.”
Revisiting “Scream” is bittersweet for Janet Jackson
The 58-year-old performs the smash duet “Scream” on her Together Again tour using video footage of Michael. The song, which they co-wrote and released in 1995, resonates deeply with her.
Speaking to the BBC, Janet shared, “Mike and I wrote that song in New York, in his apartment. So [I relive] that whole journey, listening to him sing it [and remembering] what he was going through at that time. And just me being his little sister, always by his side, and being that support system. That’s always been my role.”
Backstory of “Scream”
“Scream” was more than just a duet; it was a powerful statement. Released shortly after Michael settled a 1994 lawsuit accusing him of abuse, the song alluded to his struggles with public harassment, scrutiny, and fame. The lyrics, “I’m tired of injustice, I’m tired of the schemes / Your lies are disgusting / So, what does it mean, d*** it?” reflect Michael’s frustrations.
The song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 17 weeks on the chart. The accompanying music video was well-received, winning the 1996 Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form, and receiving a record 11 nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards.
In a 1995 interview with MTV, Michael expressed his gratitude for the song’s success, saying, “I feel very, very honored. And I’m sure Janet is, too. We worked hard on it. To reap the fruits of this type of thing is a wonderful achievement.”
What was it like filming the music video?
While “Scream” was a commercial success, the behind-the-scenes story was more complicated. In her 2022 Lifetime docuseries, Janet Jackson, the singer revealed the challenges she and Michael faced while filming the music video.
“It was tough,” Janet explained. “Michael shot nights; I shot days. His record company, they would block off his whole set so that I couldn’t see what was going on. They didn’t want me on set. I felt like they were trying to make it very competitive between the two of us. That really hurt me, because I felt I was there fighting the fight with him. Not to battle him.”
Janet Jackson has continued to love her brother
Despite the difficult circumstances, Janet’s love for her brother remained unwavering. She reflected on their time together with a mix of nostalgia and sadness, saying, “I wanted it to feel like old times between he and I, and it didn’t. Old times had long passed.”
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Janet’s tribute to Michael during her tour connects her with her brother’s spirit and keeps his memory alive for fans. However, performing the song makes her emotional, as it has her “listening to him every night, seeing him, remembering us.”