Janet Jackson to return with first new album in 7 years

Janet Jackson is back!

Just days after hitting rehearsals for her highly-anticipated world tour, Jackson announced that she'll release her first new album in seven years this fall. The singer also took to Twitter to announce a new, high-profile business venture: her own record label!

With Rhythm Nation, Jackson will become the first-ever African-American woman to head up her own label. And she'll put her new venture to good use, providing a home to new and established recording artists.

While no official details have been released, sources tell Entertainment Tonight that Jackson's new album will serve as a tribute to her brother Michael, who tragically passed away in 2009 at 50 years old.

%shareLinks-quote=""I promised you'd hear it from my lips and now you will. This year, new music, new world tour, a new movement. I've been listening. Let's keep the conversation going."" type="quote" author="Janet Jackson" authordesc=""%

Last month, just one day before her 49th birthday, Jackson confirmed rumors that she was staging a comeback.

"I promised you'd hear it from my lips and now you will. This year, new music, new world tour, a new movement. I've been listening. Let's keep the conversation going," she said in a video announcement on May 15.

PICS: Janet Jackson Preps For World Tour

Believe it or not, it's been 25 years since Jackson released her iconic Rhythm Nation 1814 album. If that isn't enough to make you feel old, Michael's 17-year-old daughter Paris recently made her red carpet debut, looking very grown-up, with a handsome new boyfriend on her arm. See for yourself in the video below.