In the nearly decade-long stretch without a Rihanna album, it is easy to largely think of her more as a beauty mogul, model, and fashion icon. The artist has released numerous products in the last few years, none of which have been an album. In 2023, Rihanna returned to the stage, performing for thousands of football fans and television viewers across America in the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show. This performance served as a poignant reminder of the music fans have been missing during the seemingly never-ending anticipation of a new Rihanna album. Since the release of Anti in 2016, Rihanna has been dropping hints and teasing fans about her long-awaited ninth album. In 2019, she shared a video of a dog dancing on her Instagram with the caption, “me listening to R9 by myself and refusing to release it.” The six years following this post have not brought forth the anticipated album. However, in June 2024, RiRi told Entertainment Tonight that she is “starting over.”
Although she hasn’t released a new album since the beloved hip-hop classic Anti, Rihanna hasn’t simply been kicking her feet up and relaxing. Instead, she has established herself as a wildly successful entrepreneur with two brands within the Fenty empire, both of which are estimated to be worth billions. In 2017, she launched Fenty Beauty, named after her family name. Fenty Beauty isn’t merely a celebrity cash grab; it has developed into a high-quality, well-respected beauty brand. A year later, she introduced Savage X Fenty, a lingerie brand. At the core of both businesses lies Rihanna’s commitment to creating high-quality, inclusive products that empower people of all skin tones and sizes. As of 2025, these brands have propelled the star’s net worth to an impressive $1.4 billion.
Alongside her ambitions to create inclusive brands, Rihanna is also a devoted mother. She has two children with A$AP Rocky, and the pair has been a notable celebrity power couple for over a decade, pouring love and attention into the family they are building together. They welcomed their first child in 2022, RZA Athelson Mayers. Furthermore, Rihanna revealed her second pregnancy during her captivating 2023 Super Bowl performance. In terms of her musical endeavors, Rihanna has crafted a handful of tracks over the years. In 2022, she released the powerful tear-jerker “Lift Me Up” on the Black Panther soundtrack, which was met with acclaim and considered one of the best original songs in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Additionally, she contributed to several features, including the Grammy-winning song “Loyalty” by Kendrick Lamar in 2017.
Rihanna’s versatility extends to appearances in various movies and TV shows, such as the action-packed Ocean’s 8. Over the years, there have been persistent rumors about the release of R9, largely ignited by the singer herself. Rihanna cannot resist mentioning the album every few months, often leading to unfulfilled promises. In 2018, she briefly replied “2019” to an Instagram comment inquiring about the album’s release date. “I’ve tried every genre – now I’m just, I’m wide open. I can make anything that I want,” Rihanna told British Vogue in 2020. Interestingly, that same year she informed Rolling Stone that she was working on more than one album; a pop album and a reggae album, neither of which surfaced in 2019. In 2020, she claimed to be “very aggressively working on music,” yet the steadfast wait continued.
The last time fans felt that R9 might be within reach was when Rihanna mentioned to British Vogue that it would be “ridiculous” if she didn’t release her album in 2023. Ironically, that year came and went without any new music from the iconic artist. Recently, the R9 rumors have resurfaced as Rihanna made some comments that sparked interest once again. In the summer of 2024, she was spotted wearing a shirt that read “I’m Retired,” causing her fans, affectionately known as the Navy, to worry that she might be hinting at a retirement from music. However, she swiftly quashed these rumors, asserting that she is prepared to step back into the studio and relive the experience of creating her album with fresh ears. Rihanna expressed her desire to rediscover all the elements of the album that resonate with her and refine the parts that no longer hold the same significance.
Fans and reporters continue to plead for answers about her long-awaited ninth album, but relying on the singer’s word often leads to disappointment. Historically, Rihanna has proven to be an unreliable source regarding music updates, leading to skepticism among her devoted followers. The anticipation surrounding her potential return to music remains a point of contention, with no substantial evidence of the album beyond her occasional assurances. Only time will tell what 2025 holds for Rihanna and her fans eagerly awaiting R9.