It’s been nine years since Rihanna last dropped an album. We can’t blame her—she *has* been busy, what with running several companies and raising two children and all.
For almost a decade, fans have made do with various features and contributions to movies (including Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and, more recently, the upcoming Smurfs film), while waiting with bated breath for the singer’s next musical project.
Finally (finally!!!!!) we have some good news: Rihanna has confirmed that her ninth studio album is officially in the works. However, the follow up to her beloved LP Anti, is “not going to be anything that anybody expects.”
Is Rihanna Dropping a New Album?
In a recent cover story with Harper’s BAZAAR, Rihanna confirmed that she is working on new music.
The singer told the magazine that the music set to make up R9—which is what fans have tentatively dubbed her ninth studio album—“feels right” and “digs right into where I need to be.” She added, “This body needs to come out, and I’m ready to go there.”
Rihanna also revealed that she has, in fact, “been in the studio the whole eight years” since she released Anti in 2016, despite not releasing anything.
Of R9’s sound, she teased: “It’s not going to be anything that anybody expects,” adding that the songs are, “not going to be commercial or radio digestible.”
This is why she waited so long to drop it, she told the publication. “Every time, I was just like, ‘no, it’s not me. It’s not right. It’s not matching my growth. It’s not matching my evolution. I can’t do this. I can’t stand by this,” Rihanna said.
“This much time away from music needs to count for the next thing everyone hears,” she said, adding, “It has to count. It has to matter. I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre.”
When Is R9 Being Released?
Rihanna is yet to confirm a release date for her ninth studio album. Hey, for now, we’ll take the official confirmation it’s actually happening, thank you very much.
Check back here for updates.
