Literally Nothing is Off Limits on Janet Jackson's New Album

Janet Jackson is a visionary. That much we've always known to be true. But what we weren't as clear on was just where Ms. Jackson was drawing inspiration from for her upcoming new record. In a Billboardcover story out today, that's all changed.

Related | Janet Jackson Honored With the 2017 Music Icon Award at the OUT100 Gala

Jackson's follow-up to 2015's Unbreakable will take lyrical inspo from literally anything: including but not limited to elderly Japanese women and chirping birds. To Billboard, Jackson explains:

"Anything can inspire me. This morning, I saw this lovely elderly Japanese woman walking down the streets of Hollywood wearing an adorable bonnet with bright red flowers. She might be a song. I remembered an especially painful chapter in my early life last night before going to bed. That might be a song. I woke up this morning and heard a bird chirping in a rhythm that captivated my heart. Maybe that will turn into a new groove. Like everyone else, my feelings are fluid. My ideas are fleeting. I like to keep it that way. I can't decide in advance what a song or an album concept will be. I have to let those songs and concepts come to me rather than chase them down."

Jackson was honored at this past OUT 100 gala with the 2017 Music Icon Award. Accepting the award onstage, she said:

"My heart says thank you, your appreciation means the world to me. My heart says thank you for being and having the courage to be who you are. Thank you for giving others the courage to be who they are."