Rihanna to release new album after long hiatus.
Written by Zenna Issa on February 24, 2025
Singer Rihanna recently expressed her excitement about her upcoming album in a rare interview, stating that it will be unexpected.
“I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. “
And it’s not going to be commercial or radio-friendly. It’s going to reflect where my artistry deserves to be right now.”
The 37-year-old artist has kept fans waiting for years since the release of her eighth studio album, *Anti*, in 2016.
Rumours have circulated about the direction of the long-awaited record, with some suggesting it might be a reggae album.
However, Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Fenty, dismissed those claims. “Way off! There’s no genre now.
That’s why I waited. Every time I thought about it, I was like, ‘No, it’s not me. It’s not right,’” she said.
“This much time away from music needs to count for the next thing everyone hears. It has to be significant.”
She emphasized her commitment to quality, saying, “I cannot put out anything mediocre. After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait a little longer.”
While she did not reveal any further specifics about the album, she mentioned feeling “really optimistic.” “I feel like I’ve finally cracked it, girl!” she added.
Rihanna, a multi-Grammy Award winner who began her career in 2003, is known for hits like “Umbrella,” “Shut Up and Drive,” and “What’s My Name?”
Although she has stepped away from music in recent years, she has remained busy with her makeup and skincare brands.
In the interview, she discussed focusing on living in the moment and shared her thoughts on growing older.
Using an expletive to describe the process, she also noted that “it’s also a blessing.”
“My legacy is right now. That’s all I have the most control over. My legacy is what I do with my time at this moment,” she reflected.
Rihanna has two young sons, RZA and Riot, with her longtime partner, rapper A$AP Rocky.
Earlier this week, the musician, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, was found not guilty of firing a gun at a former friend by a jury in Los Angeles.