After eight years of waiting, Rihanna has finally opened up about her much-anticipated album, widely referred to as ‘R9’. In a new interview with Harper’s BAZAAR, the global superstar revealed that her next project will be unlike anything fans anticipate.
“It Has to Matter”
Since the release of ‘Anti’ in 2016, Rihanna has kept fans on edge with cryptic hints about her music. She admitted she has been in the studio for years but struggled to find the right artistic direction.
“I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects,” she said. “And it’s not going to be commercial or radio, digestible. It’s going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now.”
Not a Reggae Album
Dismissing past rumors that ‘R9’ would be heavily reggae-influenced, Rihanna clarified: “Way off! There’s no genre now. That’s why I waited.”
She explained that every time she tried to finalize the album, it didn’t match her personal growth:
“I can’t perform this for a year on tour. After a while, I looked at it, and I was like, this much time away from music needs to count for the next thing everyone hears.”
Tour Rumors & Glastonbury Speculation
Recent reports suggest Rihanna may headline a series of major shows at London Stadium in July, sparking speculation about a potential Glastonbury 2025 performance. However, no official confirmation has been made.
Last Performances & A$AP Rocky’s Acquittal
• Rihanna’s last public music release was ‘Lift Me Up’ for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack in 2022.
• She headlined the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show, her first live performance in seven years.
• In 2023, she performed a private concert in India, marking her first full show in eight years.
• Her partner, A$AP Rocky, was acquitted last week in a 2021 shooting trial, a decision Rihanna celebrated on social media.
With Rihanna hinting at a bold new artistic era, fans may have to wait a little longer, but she assures them: “I have to show them the worth in the wait.”
