Though she’s kept a low profile since 2011, when she released her self-help memoir “True You” and toured behind her “Number Ones” greatest hits set, Janet Jackson spoke with Billboard for an exclusive Q&A where she revisits the making of “janet.,” discusses its current influence and teases her next album (“I am working on a new project now”).
“I can’t believe it is already 20 years!” the 47-year-old singer told Billboard. “I always write my music based on what is going on in my life at the time. I wanted to allow people in… I want my fans to really know me. The janet. album was sexual and I was beginning to really discover that side of me.”
Janet is back in the studio working on her first album since 2008’s Discipline. She is still in the early stages and is in no rush to release it.
“I am working on a new project now. We are creating the concept and initial thoughts on the music,” she said. “I am excited about the direction we are taking. I don’t want to rush it… I don’t want to put a time constraint on the creative process.”
She also gave the stamp of approval to Kendrick Lamar, who sampled her janet. single “Any Time, Any Place” on his hit “Poetic Justice.” “I have listened to the music that is out there and I love Kendrick’s ‘Poetic Justice,’” said Janet. “There are artists, true performers that have come before me who have been a big inspiration to me. I hope I do the same for others.”
