Rihanna Breaks Silence on New Album: ‘I’ve Finally Cracked the Code’
After nearly nine years of anticipation, Rihanna is finally opening up about her next musical project. In an exclusive feature for Harper’s Bazaar‘s upcoming March issue, the global superstar graces the cover and shares insight into her long-awaited return to music. The Diamonds hitmaker reveals she has now found the sound that truly represents her, marking a major breakthrough in her artistic journey.
Rihanna Confirms She’s Ready for a Musical Comeback
Since releasing her critically acclaimed 2016 album ANTI, Rihanna has ventured into multiple industries, from her billion-dollar Fenty Beauty empire to her lingerie line, Savage X Fenty. Despite her immense success outside of music, fans have been eagerly waiting for her next project. And now, it seems the wait may finally be coming to an end.
“I am actually feeling really good about this. I know I kept saying this over the years, but this time, I’ve cracked the code,” Rihanna tells Harper’s Bazaar. The singer, who describes music as her “freedom,” says she’s now in a space where she can confidently create something meaningful and authentic.
A New Sound—But Not What Fans Expected
For years, speculation has been rife regarding the direction Rihanna’s new album would take. Many assumed she would lean into her Caribbean roots, possibly embracing reggae and dancehall influences. However, the Work singer shut down those assumptions, stating that theory is “way off!”
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Rihanna explains that she has been on a long journey of self-discovery, experimenting with different sounds and styles. “I went through phases of what I wanted to do,” she says. “Every time, I was just like, ‘No, it’s not me. 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.’”
The Fenty mogul emphasized that she does not have a specific genre in mind for the album, but fans should not expect anything “commercial or radio-digestible.” Instead, she promises a project that reflects her current artistic identity. “It’s going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now,” she added.
Why Rihanna Took So Long to Release New Music
With nearly a decade since ANTI, Rihanna acknowledges that the extended wait comes with immense pressure. She wants her next album to “count” and prove “the worth in the wait.” “I cannot put up anything mediocre. After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait some more,” she says.
The mother of two also touched on how her time away from music has given her a fresh perspective. Balancing motherhood with her career, Rihanna sees this moment as an opportunity to “blossom something that hasn’t been watered in eight years.” She admits that, while she has visited the studio multiple times over the years, nothing ever truly resonated with her until now.
A New Era Begins—But When Will the Album Drop?
Despite Rihanna’s newfound clarity on her musical direction, she has yet to announce an official release date. However, fans remain hopeful that this revelation means new music is on the horizon.
As Rihanna gears up for what could be one of the most anticipated comebacks in recent history, one thing is certain—whatever she has in store, it’s going to be unexpected, bold, and true to her evolution as an artist.
Stay tuned for more updates on Rihanna’s highly anticipated return to music!
