In January, Ciara gave fans a first taste of her new album Jackie with the emotional “I Bet,” a personal track about her very public breakup with the rapper Future. Despite the single’s intimate tone, the rest of the album, which is named after her mother, has a more upbeat sound. “It came from me wanting people to dance and groove,” says the singer, who names Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Sade as her sources of musical inspiration. “I have always wanted to make this kind of album.” Here, she explains how she came up with the album’s title, what fans can expect, and more.
Why did you decide to name the album after your mom?
I felt like it was the best title for where I am in my life right now. Being a mom, I can now see the world through her eyes and fully understand what she was thinking. Being a mom has changed me forever.
How is Jackie different from your previous albums?
I am so much more expressive and confident than I have ever been in my life. Even though there has been musical and personal growth, this album really takes me back in time, to when I didn’t overthink the creative process. Before, I would have said Goodies was my favorite album, but now I believe Jackie is my best body of work.
