Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson, Scream | Dazzling Duets

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Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson, Scream: Dazzling Duets No. 15 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; MJJ Productions Inc.; cottonbro studio, Sachith Ravishka Kodikara from Pexels; andresilva5, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]In the 15th edition of Dazzling Duets (2025), Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson collaborate on “Scream.”

Sometimes, two is better than one! That is the case when it comes to Dazzling Duets! On Dazzling Duets, we highlight ear-catching songs performed by two artists collaborating. These duets can be from any musical style, making Dazzling Duets a flexible, versatile column on The Musical Hype. In the 15th edition of Dazzling Duets (2025), Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson collaborate on “Scream”. Let the dazzle begin!

Michael Jackson, HIStory Past, Present and Future - Book I [📷: Epic]“Ah, tired of injustice / Tired of the schemes / The lies are disgustin’ / So what does it mean? Damn it.” Hoo! Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009) came out fiery on “Scream”, a duet with his sister and fellow pop superstar, Janet Jackson (1966 – ). “Scream” is the high-energy, stellar opener from the second disc of Michael’s controversial 1995 album, HIStory – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE – BOOK I.  Both Jacksons, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis, penned and produced the track. A big-time hit, “Scream” debuted and peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 (with “Childhood”).  The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.  Both Michael and Janet bring ample attitude to the track. Also, as Jackson’s excerpted verse shows, a few curse words, too!

A glitchy, hard synth distinctly opens “Scream.” The noisy intro instantly draws in the listener.  Once “Scream” settles in, it embraces the hard-nosed New Jack Swing sound that was dominant in the early-mid 1990s. Michael draws first blood, singing aggressively and with grit.  His authenticity and sincerity are indisputable.  After all, “The whole system sucks, damn it / Hee, hoo-hoo!” Janet sings the second verse in a grittier, more assertive fashion than we’re accustomed to hearing. She matches Michael’s aggressiveness, singing, “And you’re sellin’ out souls / But I, I care about mine / I’ve got to get stronger / And I won’t give up the fight.” Michael and Janet trade some bars in the pre-chorus, before joining forces on the last couple of lines: “Somebody, please have mercy / ‘Cause I just can’t take it.” Woo! They sing the unforgettable chorus together, with some sick ad-libs from Michael. Notably, the second iteration of the chorus features a rare MJ f-bomb:

“So stop pressurin’ me (Stop your pressure)

Just stop pressurin’ me

Stop pressurin’ me (Hee-hee!)

Make me wanna scream (Hoo, hoo!)

Ah, stop pressurin’ me (Stop your pressure)

Just stop pressurin’ me (Stop your pressure)

Stop fuckin’ with me

Make me wanna scream (Hee!).”

Dazzling Duets [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; cottonbro studio, Sachith Ravishka Kodikara from Pexels]Michael and Janet split the third verse, with each ad-libbing while the other sings the melody. There is a brief, unique instrumental interlude before the pre-chorus and chorus return. Notably, there is a smooth bridge section performed by Janet (“As I turned on the TV this evening / I was disgusted by all the injustice”), with a closing line from Michael (“All the injustice”). The bombastic instrumental kicks back in, with a guitar solo. “Scream” closes out with the pre-chorus and that kick-ass chorus.  Hoo-hoo! “Scream” is a timeless brother-sister duet.  Their voices soar, the songwriting is dynamic, and the production is electrifying. This is the exemplification of a once-in-a-lifetime duet.

Michael Jackson on The Musical Hype:
Janet Jackson on The Musical Hype:
Michael Jackson » HIStory – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE – BOOK I » MJJ Productions Inc. » 1995
Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson, Scream: Dazzling Duets No. 15 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; MJJ Productions Inc.; cottonbro studio, Sachith Ravishka Kodikara from Pexels; andresilva5, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

 

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Categories: ColumnsDazzling DuetsMusicPop Culture
Tags: 1990s1990s music1990s pop1990s R&B202590s90s music90s pop90s R&Bbrother-sister duetscollaborationsDazzling DuetsDuetsduosHIStory – PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE – BOOK IJanet JacksonJimmy JamMichael Jacksonmusic collaborationsNew Jack Swingpoppop duetsR&BR&B duetsTerry Lewis

the musical hype

The Musical Hype (he/him) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education and music theory/composition, respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Music and writing are two of the most important parts of his life.

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