The wait could soon be over, or so we hope!
In a new Harper’s Bazaar interview released on Saturday, the singer and mogul shared her thoughts on the highly anticipated follow-up to her 2016 album Anti. After years of speculation, Rihanna revealed she’s finally cracked the code on what she wants her next album to be, saying, “I’m actually feeling really good about this.”
She acknowledged the many teases over the years, including the idea of a reggae-inspired album, which she now says was “way off!” Instead, she explained, “There’s no genre now. That’s why I waited. Every time, I was just like, ‘No, it’s not me. It’s not right. It’s not matching my growth.’” Rihanna emphasized that the album has to be authentic and in line with her evolution, adding that she couldn’t put out anything “mediocre.” After such a long break, she wants to make sure her music truly matters.
While she stopped short of revealing a timeline for its release, she assured fans that her new music “feels right” and is exactly where she needs to be as an artist. “I’m ready to go there,” she said, hinting at a deeply personal project that will reflect where she is now.
Despite not releasing new music in years, Rihanna has been busy in the studio throughout that time. She explained that making music has become her “new freedom,” as it allows her to focus on something she’s been nurturing for eight years. However, it wasn’t until recently that the direction for the album finally clicked into place. She confirmed it will be nothing like what people expect – and won’t be easily digestible for radio.
Rihanna has spent the past eight years building her Fenty empire, performing at the 2023 Super Bowl, and raising her two kids with A$AP Rocky, who was recently found not guilty of felony assault charges. Now, it seems the perfect moment for her to pivot back into music, and we’re all waiting to see where she takes us next.
Story by Obaapa Janee
