For the first Throwback Thursday of 2013 we travel back to 2009 to highlight one of the best females to ever do it, Janet Jackson. The newly engaged superstar made headlines when the American Music Awards billed this performance as their big ticket and the 8 minute long show opener lived up to their promising. Janet performed a medley of her many #1 hits, including “What Have You Done For Me Lately”, “If”, “Control” and her then new single “Make Me” among others.

Anyone who has seen a Janet performance live knows she never disappoints as she effortlessly glides and hits every single move of her high intensity choreography. That night was no different as the star studded audience which included Jennifer Lopez, Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift and every industry powerhouse as they shouted and cheered the queen of pop on. The highlight for everyone had to be the sets closing performance of “Together Again” which served as a moving tribute to her late brother Michael Jackson, who had just passed that summer.

As she preps for an upcoming wedding, fans can only hope for forthcoming music that she has promised will be released soon, and more amazing performances like this and of her epic caliber.