She’s back!
After almost seven years of waiting, begging, and praying for Rihanna to bless us with new music – the Queen has finally graced us with the latest and freshest New Music Friday! and Today’s Top Hits on Spotify.
The award-winning artist released her new song “Lift Me Up” at midnight on Friday, making it her first solo music since the 2016 album Anti as per reports by People.
The track is downtempo but uplifting and sees Rihanna’s powerhouse vocals projected over a silky smooth accompaniment of soft keys and strings. A subtle backing choir accompanies the nine-time Grammys Award winner as the atmospheric track builds to its climax.
“Lift me up, hold me down, keep me close, safe and sound / Hold me when you go to sleep, keep me in the warmth of your love when you depart, keep me safe and sound,” Rihanna sings in the chorus.
She understood the assignment and taught the class! https://t.co/zfj1JbaKNG
— kiran (@simpforpaulson) October 28, 2022
me 3 seconds into lift me up by rihanna?? pic.twitter.com/blMhg8Sjfz
— not wade ? (@littlewade98) October 28, 2022
RIHANNA PUT HER WHOLE RIHUSSY INTO LIFT ME UP. #LiftMeUp pic.twitter.com/Bwhv85opui
— ً (@farewrll) October 28, 2022
didn’t realize how much i missed hearing rihanna’s voice and new music from her until it all hit me when i pressed play on lift me up
— tejal (@tejschaos) October 28, 2022
The song’s arrival was announced earlier this week, kickstarted by a series of cryptic billboards around New York City and a classic black and white teaser post on Instagram.
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The song is featured on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack and was written as a tribute to the late Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman. The phenomenal actor died of colon cancer in August 2020 at 43.
“Honestly, I think it was Chad,” Director Ryan Coogler said about Rihanna’s involvement in the film. “A lot of improbable things needed to happen for it to come through, and Rihanna was very clear that she did that for him.”
We knew [Rihanna] was at a point in her life as well where she was focusing on different things – focused on business, motherhood, which is a big theme in our film. We were holding out hope that maybe it could work out, and boy, did it for this song,” Coogler added.
Ryan Coogler, Rihanna, Oscar-winning Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson, and Nigerian singer/songwriter Tems all have writing credits on the track.
“After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them,” Tems said in a press release.
“Rihanna has been an inspiration to me, so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”
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Rihanna and boyfriend A$AP Rocky stepped out days before the song’s release for date night at the Black Panther” Wakanda Forever premiere in L.A. on Wednesday (Oct 26). It was the first red carpet appearance for the pair since they welcomed their son in May.
“Lift Me Up” is a long time coming for Riri’s fans, who haven’t heard any new solo music since her eighth studio album. The award-winning star, however, did pop up on PARTNEXTDOOR’s song “Believe It” in 2020 and was featured on the N.E.R.D song “Lemon” in 2017.
And while the Fenty billionaire has yet to reveal any plans for her ninth studio album, Rihanna’s break from live shows is slated to end on Feb 12, 2023, when she is scheduled to headline the highly anticipated 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
