Global superstar Rihanna has finally broken her silence about her long-awaited album, offering fans a glimpse into what they can expect—or rather, what they shouldn’t expect.
In an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the singer and business mogul revealed that her next project will be anything but conventional. “I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects,” she stated confidently.
Known for constantly reinventing herself, Rihanna made it clear that she isn’t aiming for commercial success or mainstream radio hits this time around. Instead, she is focused on creating something that truly reflects where she is as an artist today.
The 37-year-old singer, whose last album, Anti, was released in 2016, has kept fans on edge for nearly a decade, fueling endless speculation about the direction of her next record. Over the years, rumors swirled that she was working on a reggae-infused album, a nod to her Caribbean roots.
However, Rihanna quickly shut down those claims. “Way off!” she said. “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.’” The singer suggested that the long hiatus wasn’t just about finding the right sound but about making sure that her return to music would be meaningful.
For Rihanna, the pressure to deliver something exceptional after an eight-year break is immense. “This much time away from music needs to count for the next thing everyone hears. It has to count,” she emphasized. “I cannot put up anything mediocre. After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait some more.”
While she remained tight-lipped on specific details about the album, her tone suggested that she is finally satisfied with the direction it’s taking. The singer described feeling an overwhelming sense of optimism about the project. “I feel like I’ve finally cracked it, girl!” she exclaimed.
Despite stepping away from music in recent years, Rihanna has hardly been idle. She has built a billion-dollar empire with her Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty brands, reshaping the beauty and fashion industries with her commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
In her interview, she reflected on how her focus has shifted over the years, explaining that she is now more present in the moment. “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 said.
Her words suggest that, while fans are eager for her musical return, she sees her influence extending far beyond the charts.
The singer also spoke candidly about growing older, describing the process with an expletive but also acknowledging that it’s a privilege. Rihanna, who became a mother in 2022, now has two young sons, RZA and Riot, with her longtime partner, rapper A$AP Rocky.
Motherhood, combined with her business ventures, has undoubtedly played a role in her evolving perspective. While she didn’t explicitly say how these experiences have influenced her upcoming album, it’s clear that she is in a different creative space compared to when she last released music.
Rihanna’s interview comes at a time when A$AP Rocky is making headlines for his own reasons. Earlier this week, the rapper, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, was found not guilty in a high-profile court case where he was accused of firing a gun at a former friend.
While she did not comment on the case, Rihanna’s focus in the interview remained on her personal growth and artistic evolution. With her return to music now feeling closer than ever, fans will have to wait just a little longer to experience the unexpected masterpiece she has been crafting in silence.
