Rihanna Signals She’s Nearing the Finish Line for Long-Awaited Ninth Album

Rihanna whose last full length album graced the world nearly a decade ago, appears to be on the cusp of delivering her highly anticipated ninth studio project, tentatively titled R9. In an in depth interview with Harper’s Bazaar the 37 year old artist offered her most promising update yet, declaring that she has “finally cracked the code” on the creative direction for this long gestating release. 

Since the release of Anti in 2016, a critically acclaimed album that showcased her genre defying versatility, Rihanna has kept her musical output sparse, focusing instead on her flourishing Fenty fashion and beauty empire and her growing family with rapper A$AP Rocky. 

The couple welcomed their first son, RZA, in 2022, followed by their second, Riot, in 2023, adding layers of personal evolution to her already illustrious career. Yet, music has never fully left her orbit. As she told Harper’s Bazaar, she’s been diligently working in the studio for the past eight years, grappling with how to follow up Anti’s success. “It’s been too long,” she admitted, emphasizing that R9 must “count” and “matter” after such an extended hiatus.

Rihanna’s latest comments suggest she’s overcome earlier creative hurdles. Previously, in June 2024, she hinted at “starting over” on the project, a statement that left fans uncertain about its progress. Now, her tone has shifted to one of confidence and clarity. 

“I’ve finally landed on what I want this body of work to be,” she explained, dismissing speculation about a reggae centric album a rumor that had circulated for years and rejecting the idea of a purely “commercial” or “radio digestible” sound. Instead, she’s crafting something “unexpected,” a reflection of her current artistic headspace and life experiences. “This isn’t mediocre,” she asserted.

Tangible signs of progress bolster her claims. Beyond her 2022 contributions to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack Oscar-nominated “Lift Me Up” and the soulful “Born Again” Rihanna has been spotted in recording studios over the past year, fueling speculation of an imminent release. 

Adding to the momentum, her upcoming role as Smurfette in The Smurfs Movie, slated for July 18, 2025, is rumored to include new original music, potentially offering fans a taste of her next era. “This body [of work] needs to come out, and I’m ready to go there,” she told Harper’s Bazaar, hinting that R9’s unveiling might be closer than her famously elusive timelines have historically suggested.