Rihanna Announces Fresh Start on New Album: ‘Now I’m Prepared’
Pop icon gives fans an update on highly anticipated new music project
Rihanna has revealed significant updates about her upcoming album, assuring fans that while she’s “starting over,” she feels “prepared” for the next chapter in her music career.
The announcement came as Rihanna walked the red carpet at a Fenty Hair event in Los Angeles on Monday, June 10. When asked about her long-awaited project, commonly referred to as R9, she shared her renewed perspective on music.
“Music for me is a new discovery. I am re-discovering things,” Rihanna said. “I have been working on the album for so long that I kind of put all of that stuff aside. And now, I’m prepared to go back in the studio. NOW I’m prepared. So I’m gonna start.”
She added, “I’m starting over, but I don’t wanna neglect the songs that I have, so I wanna actually go back and listen to stuff with new ears, with my new perspective, and see what applies and see what I’m still in love with.”
This news comes as a relief to fans, especially after Rihanna was spotted in New York City with A$AP Rocky last week wearing a top that read, “I’m retired.” However, in smaller print, the shirt also said, “This is as dressed up as I get,” suggesting that her retirement from music was not serious.
Rihanna’s last album, ANTI, was released in 2016. Since then, she has focused on her beauty empire and family, welcoming two children in the past two years.
In April, Rihanna discussed her ninth album in an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the FENTY x Puma Creeper Phatty Earth Tone sneaker launch in London. When asked if her children, RZA and Riot, would be featured on the record, she hinted at exciting possibilities.
“I mean, it’s up to them,” she said. “I already got stuff that I feel like I can make hits out of. Me and Rocky are really trying to figure out who’s gonna use what because it’s so good!”
Rihanna also shared insights into her creative process, noting a shift in her approach compared to previous projects. “I have a lot of visual ideas,” she told Interview magazine. “It’s weird. My brain is working backward right now. I usually have the music first, and the music leads me into all of these visual opportunities, and now I’m having all of these visuals. I don’t have the songs for them yet, but maybe that’s the key, this time. Maybe the visual ideas are leading me to the songs that I need to make.”
As Rihanna embarks on this new musical journey, her fans eagerly anticipate what the talented artist will bring to the table next.