Janet Jackson has shared some poignant reflections on her late brother Michael Jackson during her current world tour. The “Got ’til It’s Gone” singer continued her Together Again tour by performing her 1995 duet “Scream” in a visual tribute to Michael, who sadly passed away in 2009 at the age of 50.
Jackson opened up to the BBC and shared how revisiting the emotional memory of writing the song brought back a whirlwind of feelings.
“‘Hearing Him, Seeing Him, Remembering Us’ every night is very emotional,” she said.
Janet co-wrote “Scream” with Michael in their New York apartment, and performing the song now rekindles memories of their relationship.
“I relived the whole journey, listening to him sing, and remembering what he was going through. It was just me as his sister, always there for him, his support system. That’s always been my role.
The song originally appeared on Michael’s 1995 album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, and also appears on Janet’s 2009 compilation album Number Ones.
“Scream” was a rebuttal to the intense media scrutiny Michael faced in the mid-1990s, responding to rumors about his erratic behavior, including sleeping in an oxygen chamber and owning a chimpanzee named Bubbles.
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Michael’s life was mired in controversy during the 1990s, including being accused of inappropriate behavior with a young boy in 1993, which he settled out of court. Similar charges led to his acquittal in 2005, but public suspicion persisted even after his death.
Janet’s tour is planned for September in the UK, with performances in London, Birmingham and Manchester. In October, she plans to perform in Glasgow, continuing to honor her brother’s legacy on stage.
Despite the challenges of revisiting such a personal song, Jackson remains steadfast and uses her artistry to keep Michael’s memory alive.
“‘Doing this every night keeps his spirit with me and connects me to fans around the world. It’s truly a shared experience,” Jackson conveyed the message to her audience, emphasizing The lasting impact of her brother’s legacy.
