Rihanna on 'R9': "I Want it To Be This Year"
This story was published on February 3. 2023 and updated on February 15, 2023
In the lead-up to Rihanna's Super Bowl LVII performance, rumors regarding the mega-star's discography swirled: Would she drop a surprise album after stepping off the stage? Would she perform a new single?Would we get any clues to her next musical project?
None of the above panned out. But in a new interview, the star said she intends to release new music in 2023. "I want it to be this year,” she said, referring to the release of her next album. "Like, honestly, it’d be ridiculous if it’s not this year. But I just want to have fun. I just want to make music and make videos.”
Though the megastar quenched our thirst (momentarily, at least) with two tracks on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, her latest full-length project, Anti, released back in 2016.
Despite the navy's wishful thinking, Rih refuted rumors that she'd drop new music in tandem with her headlining Super Bowl slot. "That's not true. Super Bowl is one thing. New music is another thing. Do you hear that, fans?" Rihanna stated in November while promoting her fourth Savage X Fenty showcase.
Despite denying that she had new music in the works, Rihanna and Apple Music — the sponsor of this year's half time show — dropped a pre-performance teaser that seemed to hint at new tunes from the Bad Gal.
"Rihanna, we've waited for you," and "It's been over six years since the nine-time Grammy winner dropped her last album" were just a few statements spoken by voices clustered together in the teaser.
In the end, Rihanna silences the noise with a "Shh," leaving fans to speculate that new music may actually follow. Of course, that didn't come to fruition — while we'd love to take Rih's word for it, who knows if 2023 will actually see the release of R9.
