AceShowbiz - The iconic album Janet Jackson created with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Rhythm Nation 1814, was officially inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame during a prestigious gala held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Friday.

Marking a major milestone for the groundbreaking project, Janet Jackson delivered an emotional acceptance speech reflecting on the album’s enduring impact since its initial release. Earlier this year, she celebrated the 40th anniversary of her album Control, further cementing her place in music history.

In her remarks, Janet Jackson expressed profound gratitude, saying, "I'm so grateful and honored that Rhythm Nation is being recognized tonight in this wonderful, wonderful way. It's beautiful to relive the memories attached to this project that's so, so precious to me." She emphasized that Rhythm Nation is not a relic of the past but a living, ongoing movement.

"I don't see Rhythm Nation as a phenomenon that lives in the past, I believe it's alive and well in 2026. Rhythm Nation still resonates on a deep and profound level. It's an ongoing force that fights bigotry and promotes understanding. It cannot be stopped - it's simply too strong and too positive," she added.

Janet Jackson described Rhythm Nation as a unifying force that transcends age and background, bringing people together through a message of love without judgment. She urged attendees to remember that the album's influence crosses all borders, nationalities, and faiths.

Continuing, she shared her heartfelt hopes for the world, stating, "When you hear the music of Rhythm Nation, I hope you hear my heart's desire when we first created this suite of songs. More than ever, my hope is that we might live in a world free of fear and despair." She reaffirmed the album’s core prayer for peace globally, in communities, and within homes.

"May the music of Rhythm Nation continue to bring us together in peace and may that peace allow us to celebrate this precious gift of life that God has given us. All praise be to God. I thank the Grammy organization for this wonderful honor," Janet Jackson concluded.

The gala itself was a star-studded celebration honoring multiple historic recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The evening began with a stirring performance by Take 6, who performed the Soul Stirrers' classic "Jesus Gave Me Water," one of the inducted recordings.

Following this, Taylor Hanson delivered a faithful acoustic rendition of "Pink Moon," the title track from the late folk artist Nick Drake’s third and final album. This album was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and ranks on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. Hanson had released his cover in 2024 as part of a 20th anniversary reissue titled Underneath: Complete.

The legendary rock band Heart’s founding sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson, honored their band’s debut album Dreamboat Annie by performing fan favorites including "Magic Man," the title track, and "Crazy on You."

Next, performers Fyütch and Aura V paid tribute to Ella Jenkins, known as the “first lady of children’s music,” with the song "You'll Sing a Song and I'll Sing a Song," the title track of her inducted album.

Lucinda Williams followed with performances of "Can't Let Go" and the title track from her critically acclaimed 1998 alt-country album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, which holds a spot at number 98 on the list of greatest albums.

Isabel Marie honored the late Tejano superstar Selena by performing "No Me Queda Mas" from Selena’s inducted album Amor Prohibido.

In a special tribute to Ray Charles, Norah Jones, recipient of the Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award, performed two of his classics: "Seven Spanish Angels" and her interpretation of "Hallelujah, I Love Him So," originally titled "Hallelujah, I Love Her So."

The legendary funk band Funkadelic’s 1971 album Maggot Brain—also on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums list—was celebrated with a powerful performance of the title track and "Can You Get to That." The set featured bandleader George Clinton, guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight, and singer Erykah Badu.

To close out the night, Warner Records was honored as the Vision of Music recipient. The label was celebrated through moving performances by Teddy Swims and Josh Groban, who each paid tribute with separate renditions highlighting the label’s legacy in the music industry.

The Grammy Hall of Fame Gala 2026 successfully celebrated timeless music and its ongoing cultural significance, with Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 standing as a powerful testament to music’s ability to unite and inspire change.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Rolling Stone.