After three long years of musical silence, Rihanna is dropping new music tomorrow, Friday, May 17th! While it’s not the mythical “R9” album we’ve all been desperately waiting for since 2016’s “Anti,” it’s something to tide us over, and honestly, we’ll take it.
The track, titled “Friend of Mine,” is set to feature on the soundtrack of the upcoming “Smurfs” movie. And guess what? Rihanna isn’t just contributing a song; she’s also voicing the iconic Smurfette and serving as an executive producer on the film.
Now, let’s be clear. This isn’t the album we’ve been theorizing about for ages. In the years since “Anti,” Rihanna has truly become a billionaire mogul, expanding her empire with Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, and she even gave us that unforgettable Super Bowl halftime show in 2023. But new solo music? It’s been crickets.
So, what do we know about this new single? “Friend of Mine” is described as a “frothy and rhythm-driven” Afrobeats-inspired dance track. If you’ve caught the “Smurfs” trailer, you’ve already gotten a sneak peek, with Rihanna singing the catchy line, “You’re looking like a friend of mine.”
The teaser also gives us a glimpse of Rihanna in the studio, looking like she’s having a blast behind the mic. It’s a more upbeat vibe than her last release, the powerful ballad “Lift Me Up” from the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack in 2022.
The “Smurfs” trailer even shows Rihanna recording Smurfette’s lines while rocking a blue jacket and beads, cleverly teasing both the song and the movie’s storyline, which involves the Smurfs trying to rescue Papa Smurf. The soundtrack is also shaping up to be quite star-studded, featuring tracks from Tyla and a collaboration between DJ Khaled, Cardi B, and DESI TRILL that already dropped back in February.
The new “Smurfs” film hits theaters on July 18th and sees Smurfette leading the blue crew into the real world on a rescue mission. Rihanna headlines a voice cast that includes big names like John Goodman, Sandra Oh, Nick Offerman, and Kurt Russell. It’s a family-friendly flick, but it’s also a smart move for Rihanna, considering the first two “Smurfs” movies raked in over £730 million combined!
Despite the continued anticipation for “R9,” Rihanna hasn’t left us completely in the dark. She recently hinted at more music on the horizon at the Met Gala, assuring fans that her pregnancy wouldn’t stop her from working on the “Anti” follow-up. And in a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, she revealed she’s “finally cracked the code” on the long-awaited album, calling it her “new freedom” and promising something unexpected, not radio-friendly, and reflective of where her artistry is right now.
So, while “Friend of Mine” might just be a taste of what’s to come, it’s still Rihanna dropping new solo music after three years. Mark your calendars for tomorrow, and get ready to groove to some Smurf-tastic beats.
The return of Riri, even in Smurf form, is definitely something to celebrate!
