Rihanna has insisted speculation her next album will be a reggae record is “way off.” Her statement comes as fans eagerly await her first album release since 2016, with the interview generating significant buzz across social media platforms.
The “Diamonds” hitmaker, who hasn’t released an album since 2016’s ANTI, admitted she’s struggled to find the “right” sound for her long-awaited ninth album and the more time she has taken on the record, the more she feels it has to “matter” and have been “worth” waiting for. During her musical hiatus, ANTI has continued to break streaming records and maintain its position on various charts worldwide.
Asked about speculation she’s made a reggae record, she told the new issue of Britain’s Harper’s Bazaar magazine: “Way off! There’s no genre now. That’s why I waited.” The interview marks her first in-depth discussion about her musical direction in recent years.
“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. I can’t perform this for a year on tour.’ Her commitment to artistic authenticity has been a hallmark of her career, which spans over 15 years of chart-topping success.
“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. It has to count. It has to matter. I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre. After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait some more.” The anticipation for her new music has only grown stronger during her absence from the music scene.
But Rihanna thinks she has “cracked the code” on her musical future. Her last major musical appearance at the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show drew record-breaking viewership and reminded audiences of her enduring impact on popular culture.
“I think music is my freedom. I just came to that realization. I just cracked the code on what I really want to do for my next body of work,” she said. The statement has sparked intense speculation among fans and industry insiders about the direction of her upcoming project.
The 37-year-old star adores her last album and can listen to ANTI in a way she can’t enjoy her other records. The album, which celebrated its seventh anniversary in 2023, continues to influence contemporary R&B and pop music.
“I listen to ANTI from top to bottom with no shame,” she revealed. The album has achieved multiple platinum certifications and remains one of her most critically acclaimed works to date.
“I used to always have shame. I actually don’t like listening to my music, but ANTI — I can listen to the album. It’s not me singing it, if I’m just listening to it. That’s the one album that I can have an out-of-body experience where it’s not like … You know when you hear your voice in a voicemail, and it’s like, ‘Ugh.'” The candid admission offers insight into her perfectionist approach to music-making.
The April issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK is on sale on March 13. The feature provides an intimate look at the artist’s creative process and her vision for the future of her music career.
This highly anticipated return to music comes as Rihanna has successfully established herself as a business mogul, with her Fenty brands revolutionizing both the beauty and fashion industries. Her careful approach to new music demonstrates her commitment to maintaining the high standards that have defined her artistic legacy. The success of ANTI has set a high bar for her next release, with the album achieving diamond certification and spending over 200 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart.
