Janet Jackson3

She’s kept pretty quiet since the death of her brother Michael, but at tonight’s MTV Video Music Awards, Janet Jackson broke her silence in a big way.

The “Rhythm Nation” songstress indulged the crowd at Radio City Music Hall with a killer performance of “Scream,” synched up with footage of the late King of Pop singing the same song.

Janet looked confident and intense as she worked the stage, showing off a fit and fine form underneath her black and white ensemble.

All in all, the opening minutes of the 2009 VMAs was a fitting tribute to the late Michael Jackson, just shy of 3 months since his death.