Janet Jackson Returns to A&M Records

Janet Jackson is returning home. The pop star has reportedly inked a new deal with A&M Records, the label to which she was first signed.

A source tells the New York Daily News that Interscope Geffen A&M quietly signed Jackson to a recording contract in October. She was also seen at a UFC fight with Interscope head honcho Jimmy Iovine last month.

“Jimmy has given the mandate to make this Janet record a success,” says the paper’s source. “He believes that he has the right team in place to finally take Janet back to the top of the music charts. It’s a top priority for the label.”

The 43-year-old singer’s greatest hits package Number Ones was released this week through A&M. She is working on her eleventh studio album with Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who will oversee production. The project is in the early stages and is due in the second quarter of 2010.

The youngest Jackson began her career at A&M when she was 16 and released the 14x platinum Rhythm Nation 1814 on the label in 1989. She was most recently signed to Island Def Jam.