Is New Rihanna Music *Finally* On The Way?

Rihanna is back in the studio. And no, this is not a drill.

The businesswoman and sometimes singer was definitely recording something this week, as she posted a video of herself seemingly looking over lyrics and working on some music.

Maybe even for her upcoming album that has been in the making for genuinely close to 10 years? We can dream.

Rihanna shared a day in the life video this week, in which she documented her day of Fenty meetings as well as the time she spent in the studio.

 

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Naturally, fans were considerably more excited by the prospect of new music (that isn’t a Smurfs track) — and although RiRi has not confirmed the existence of R9 in the Year of our Lord 2026, it could very well be time.

Rihanna previously said that the new record has been in the pipeline for so long, and that she still feels like she has a lot of work to do.

“I have been working on the [new] album for so long that I kinda put all that stuff aside, and now I’m prepared to go back in the studio,” she told Entertainment Tonight.

“I actually want to go back and listen to stuff with new ears—with my new perspective and then see what applies and what I’m still in love with.”

 

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Years ago, Rihanna had said that R9 would have a strong Barbados influence. Now, however, it remains unclear what kind of route the new music will take.

“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. It’s not matching my growth, she told Harper’s Bazaar.

“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.”

And while R9 is taking a long time, in fairness to Rihanna, she has been busy.

Over the past few years she had welcomed three children, brought her brands Fenty Beauty and Savage x Fenty from strength to strength, and most recently, launched a new campaign with Dior.

Alas, we must be patient. They don’t call her Bad Gal RiRi for nothin’.