Janet Jackson Covers Essence / Updates on New Album

Janet Jackson is set to storm the stage as a headliner at the Essence Festival of Culture next month.

Prior to then, the music megastar aptly stuns on the cover of Essence Magazine‘s latest issue.

The spread, which was lensed by Yu Tsai, is accompanied by an interview feature that sees the mom of one open up about the status of her hotly anticipated new album, ‘Black Diamond.’

Speaking with Gerrick Kennedy, Jackson said of her elusive LP:

“It’s so funny because I see the fans asking, “When are we going to get Black Diamond?” “Will you please release?” Sometimes things happen that you don’t expect to happen, and you have to figure things out—or you’re in a space in your life when you have to take a step back and take a break for a minute. Even though it’s something that I absolutely love, it still is my work, my job. There will be music at some point. Exactly when? I can’t say just yet, but there will be. I love it too much not to do it. This is all I know. There’s so much that I want to do—but my number one job is being a mama.”

Suffice to say, it seems like we’ll need to exercise a bit of patience.

Still, we’re ready when she is!

Peep more from Ms. Jackson’s stunning shoot:

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Essence / Yu Tsai]