Rihanna Breaks Three-Year Music Hiatus with ‘Friend Of Mine’ for New Smurfs Movie Soundtrack
Rihanna fans, rejoice! After a musical drought spanning three years, the icon is back with new heat. The superstar has officially announced the release of her new song, "Friend Of Mine," slated to drop this week.
The news, confirmed via Rihanna's social media channels, sent shockwaves through the music world. But there's an unexpected twist: "Friend Of Mine" isn't destined for her long-awaited album, 'R9.' Instead, it's been crafted for the soundtrack of the upcoming Smurfs movie.
Fans got a sneak peek of the track in the Smurfs movie trailer, where Rihanna is also revealed to be voicing the iconic Smurfette. The movie, which hits theaters July 18th, features a star-studded cast including John Goodman, James Corden, and Sandra Oh.
"Friend Of Mine" marks Rihanna's first musical offering since 2022's powerful "Lift Me Up," which served as the theme for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The song garnered significant acclaim, even landing an Oscar nomination.
While anticipation for 'R9' remains at fever pitch, Rihanna has teased that she's been meticulously crafting something groundbreaking. In a recent interview, she shared, "I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects. And it’s not going to be commercial or radio, digestible. It’s going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now." She even hinted at finally cracking the code on her new sound: "I feel like I’ve finally cracked it, girl!"
The singer, currently expecting her third child with partner A$AP Rocky, also mentioned in February that she's closer than ever to completing 'R9', claiming she's cracked the code on what she really wants to do for her next body of work and it 'feels right'.
The CNN reported that the Smurfs movie follows Smurfette, who “leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save” Papa Smurf (John Goodman) after he was “mysteriously taken by evil wizards.”
So, while we eagerly await the arrival of 'R9', "Friend Of Mine" offers a delightful taste of Rihanna's evolving artistry. Will this Smurfs collaboration hint at the direction of her upcoming album? Only time will tell.
What are your expectations for Rihanna's new music? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
