Janet Jackson receives Ultimate Icon Award at the 2015 BET Awards

Janet Jackson receives Ultimate Icon Award at the 2015 BET Awards

Jackson, 49, released her first single in seven years last week.

It was all for her. Pop singer Janet Jackson received the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award at the 2015 BET Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles.

Before handing out the award, the BET show put together a tribute montage for Jackson, with stars including Tinashe, Jason Derulo, and Ciara performing songs from her twenty-five years of hits. As US Magazine reports, Jackson then came onto stage, wearing a sparkling white jumpsuit and appearing overwhelmed with gratitude.

“It’s been a very long journey until this moment,” Jackson, 49, said.   “My heart is so full.” She thanked her parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, her long-time producers, and her husband. To her fans, she acknowledged, “I’ve missed you so much, and I love you so much.”

Jackson made headlines earlier in the year with the announcement of a long-awaited album. In May she tweeted a video revealing that she would not only release new music but tour in 2015. Jackson’s last album was Discipline, released in 2008, and her last tour occurred in 2011.

The first single off the new album, No Sleeep, hit the airwaves last weekend to glowing reviews. According to Radio.com, Jackson will kick off her world tour in August.

In her speech on Sunday, Jackson indicated she was ready to get started. “Twenty five years ago, we created Rhythm Nation hoping the world would be a better place,” she said. “But today there is even more to be done.”

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